The Kiama Blowhole
Dear Reader, I must tell you that once upon a time I almost failed year 12 Geography because I refused to go camping. For someone with hand washing O.C.D., the idea of camping is unacceptable to my fragile being. I know it won’t kill me but it would have been a miserable few days and even the threat of failing Geography didn’t stop me from opting out. Mr NQN has tried many times to convince me to go camping to no avail. It was only when I given the option of “Glamping” that I finally relented. And “what is Glamping” you may ask? It’s Glamour Camping!
The Pink Post Office!
We were taking a five day drive down the scenic coast thanks to the nice people at Sydney to Melbourne Touring. On the way we’d be stopping at various places to eat and finding quirky little places. Did I mention we’d be looking for seafood too? Oh yes seafood monster reporting for eating duty!
Kiama view
Our first stop is in Kiama. And yes there’s a pink post Office which is so Elle Woods don’t you think darlings? The blowhole isn’t spouting any water today so we stop by for some lunch at the Sebel Kiama where they’ve kindly prepared some of the items from the 1871 restaurant dinner menu for us to have at lunch.
Lobster and scampi papardelle
Serves for mains are huge as we soon learn and the papardelle ribbons are paired with a generous serve of local lobster and scampi. The sauce is thick and creamy and very rich.
Chicken breast with wild mushroom and chard fricasee and port jus
The chicken breast comes out sitting in a huge pool of creamy sauce. It’s incredibly rich although good but even Mr NQN who seemingly has a bottomless stomach for food barely finishes it. The chicken is nicely tender though and the deep fried leaves are a nice contrast to the creamy sauce. After having a quick tour of the grounds and seeing the lovely heritage listed former school building turned into a conference centre, we set off again for the picturesque area of Jervis Bay.
Jervis Bay is a wonderfully scenic beachside area popular with Sydney-siders as it’s about three hour’s drive away. Our car slowly drives through the gravel road through the forest to get to Paperbark Camp where I get my first taste of glamping. And the cost of one night’s glamping? $480 per night including dinner, breakfast and the tent. Glamour costs money you know 
The swamp
Our Glamping tent
We settle into our tent and we’re staying in the tent called “Possum” which is the second closest tent to the main building. I wonder if it’s named possum because we may get some furry possum visitors in the night… The tent is perched high on a raised platform and they ask us to keep the clip lock closed to deter eager possums from sticking their heads inside our tent. Around us the mosquitoes are relentless so we rush into the tent to escape them all the while feeling imaginary and real pin pricks of mosquito bites on our arms and legs. There is an anti mosquito arsenal with anti mosquito cream, mosquito coils and Aerogard as well as bug spray and we quickly learn that we need all of them. There is only solar electricity in the tent with three lights in total – two by the bed and one opposite. There is fresh water in a jug provided for us and bath robes as well as shampoo, body wash and conditioner.
The bed and roll up windows
Phew! The bathroom…
Also alongside the tent is a bathroom – please excuse the photos of a toilet. I don’t usually put toilet pics here but I was ever so glad to see a proper toilet. You see the thing that prevents me from camping is the lack of facilities and showers. I take a shower worrying a little about passing guests that can look in. I like the light rain effect of the shower head although Mr NQN likes firmer water projection.
Herb garden
After that, we take the laptop to do some work and use the free wireless internet in the main lounge and before long, it’s time for our dinner booking at the Gunyah restaurant. I had heard good things about the food here so I was eager to try it as was Mr NQN who had worked up a country sized appetite.
Interior of the Gunyah Restaurant
Lime cured Ocean Trout with asparagus, crab and pickled cucumber dressing $24
The ocean trout is prettily presented and it’s a lovely melding of ingredients from the finely diced pickled cucumber which is slightly sweet, to the paper thin radishes and micro herbs. The lime cured ocean trout is superb and the crab is an interesting addition. Mr NQN doesn’t feel that it’s needed but I go for any reason to eat crab and it goes together just fine for me.
Veal, rabbit, quail and pistachio terrine with peach chutney and toasted brioche $22
We ordered the terrine as it was a hot evening and we wanted something cool. The terrine was edged in prosciutto and filled with veal, rabbit, quail and pork and studded with pistachios. The house made sweet peach chutney was absolutely gorgeously and not too acidic and I contemplate asking for the recipe. It is accompanied with home-made golden brioche squares.
Pink roasted pepper berry spiced kangaroo loin with pancetta, potato puree and baby vegetables $33
We both love kangaroo when done well but it is often not as it is often overcooked. This however is cooked to perfection with a tender pink centre, creamy home made mash and the distinct flavour of thyme and pepperberry. Mr NQN and I wrestle over this as we both adore it.
Roast fillet of Blue eyed cod with kipfler potatoes, seared scallops and barigoule sauce $34
The Blue eyed cos has a crispy skin and roughly mashed herbed kipfler mash and a lone scallop. It’s good but when you’ve preceded it with the kangaroo, it’s an awfully hard act to follow.
Selection of three cheeses with lavosh, Bara Brith and muscatels $20
Even though we’re being eaten alive by the mosquitoes (we discover the coil has gone out and later count about 30 bites on each of us), the lure of desserts is too strong. We try the cheese plate which features three cheeses: Pyengana Clothbound Cheddar which is a cow’s milk cheese from Tasmania which is gorgeously crumbly, a Valden blue Mold, a cow’s and goat’s milk cheese from Leon, Spain which is rich, creamy and strong and lastly the one I really wanted to try ever since I saw it in formaggio Ocello,:La Petite Princess, a white mold tangy goat’s camembert which is my favourite. I adore goat’s cheese and this goat’s camembert goes beautifully with the muscatels and the slices of Bara Brith which is a Welsh bread studded with fruit that has been soaked in tea for four hours.
Vanilla and basil panna cotta with strawberry sorbet and fresh raspberries $15
The basil panna cotta is voluptuously wobbly as it’s being set down so I have high hopes but we wonder “How would the basil work?”. Thankfully it’s delicious – the basil is certainly there but doesn’t overpower in any way against the vanilla and it is fabulously creamy. The strawberry sorbet is welcoming on this hotter than hot evening and the little jellies and fresh raspberries are a delight.
We retire back to our tent, shower in the dark hoping that there aren’t any peeping toms in the dark (Mr NQN assures me that we’d hear them crunching along the ground on approach), pop in the earplugs (they’re provided as black cockatoos like to give guests a wake up call) and sleep like babies-without a single possum visit!
The next morning, we had risen early with the intention of going canoeing until we surveyed the swamp and its resident mozzie population. Instead breakfast was luring us. It is served between the hours of 8am-10am and there is a very civilised checkout of 11am (yay for late checkouts!). At the breakfast buffet there are two types of cereals: Nutrigrain and an untoasted muesli . There’s also thick natural yogurt, a strawberry and rhubarb compote and poached peaches.
There are two choices for hot breakfast: eggs any way you like them with mushrooms, spinach, tomato and bacon on thick toast and scrambled eggs with trout that is smoked on the premises and potato roesti. We try some of each and it has to be said that they’re both very good and we’re just glad that we can do the plate swap as it would be hard to choose a favourite. OK I will, the mushrooms with poached eggs and bacon just pip it at the post for me. The apple juice that they serve here is also very sweet and refreshing.
Refreshed, re-hydrated and ready for travel we head off on our next stop. And where would be going next? Please stay tuned Dear Reader! 
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever tried glamping? Or do you prefer regular camping?
NQN and Mr NQN travelled as guests of Sydney to Melbourne Touring.
1871 at the Sebel
31 Shoalhaven Street
Kiama NSW 2533
Tel: + 61 (02) 4230 7500
Paperbark Camp
571 Woollamia Rd, Woollamia NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 4441 6006
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60 Comments | Add your own
I had no idea you could eat kangaroo.
Oh, you really are a woman after my own heart! I skipped out on every school camping trip bar one that was only one night, because I had to – and then immediately after that I changed my elective to cooking!
I hate mosquitos so would have a hard time even glamping, also, $480?! Holy moly, my hostel up next in Bruges is an 8-bedroom mixed dorm for $27. SIGH.
I have been keen to read about glamping since you mentioned it on Facebook. It is the only camping I would consider but the mozzies would really put me off.
What a beautiful places and rustic like my liking on summer days.
Incredible in having this type of delights in a charming restaurant and site, but plagued with mosquitoes
I know, I’ve the same situation here 
Have a great week,
Gera
Ugh…I’m with you, Lorraine, I’m not a camper either. “Stay at home or four star” is my motto.
Now THAT is how to camp!!
I mentioned to A you went glamping and he smiled cheekily.
I love Kiama – my ex’s parents lived there so I have spent loads of time frequenting what the locality has to offer – Seafood at the wharf is a must-do! Nowadays we do day trips there and head down to Huskisson too, great for kids.
I’m so excited you’ve done more of the Illawarra, hooray!!
I haven’t tried glamping but it’s the only way you’d get me camping.. I feel sorry for our son because it’s just not for me unless it’s luxury all the way – baaad camping experiences as a child!! lol!
No I am not a camper, and not sure that I would pay over $400 a night for the pleasure of getting bitten by mozzies.
Food looks good.
Have you been watching my kitchen rules- tempted to try any of the recipes?
Enjoyed your glamping from the comfort of my Swedish-mattressed bed; and no, I would prefer the amenities of a semi-rural resort with a jacuzzi and a heated pool. I like what you ate though.
Why is it that chefs can’t think of anything besides panna cotta?
Kangaroo meat sounds interesting; kind of like rattlesnake fritters here in Texas.
I’m with you – I hate camping, and would choose glamping any day.
hehe i love the word Glamping! i’ve never heard of it before. i’m not a huge fan of camping but Glamping sounds like my style. paper bark camp looks really nice and the food yummy. that’s awesome you got it all for free
Kiama is so beautiful! I had one of the best meals of my life there! I too hate camping! the only time I was forced to go was just after I had seen the Blair Witch Project- not a smart idea I did not sleep the entire night and to this day I will only sleep under 5 (or 4) stars
Oohhh….glamping?? I like that idea. I hate camping simply because of the lack of facilities as well!
This is my kind of camping. As a child I suffered all kinds of wet, camping on the dirt, experiences. Never again.
We must have been born under the same star sign!! My idea of camping is a night in an Ibis!
I was tempted by the glamping concept above until I reached the point of the mosquito bite count – Mozzies are attracted to me like flies to the proverbial, so I’d surely resemble a warthog after a night there, alas!
The food looks awesome and has stirred my interest in a short road trip to Kiama and Jervis Bay… but looks like I’ll have to check out the rates at the Sebel though…
Glamping all the way for me NQN … this looks great. (Except for the mossies maybe…)
Wow that sure is Glamping! Looks great though!
My dad’s influence I guess?
I am more of a regular camper
I have never tried ‘glamping’ and, in fact, had never heard of it before! For someone who spent her whole life camping in various nice, and some not so nice places. I much prefer the 5 star to the 5 million stars…..
I lovvvve camping in cold weather, curled up in a chair next to a campfire with billy tea and damper, spending the whole day reading and watching the boyfriend potter around. Pure Bliss!!!
I can’t wait until it cools down and we can go again
Sure, I’ll camp under the stars – 5 stars !
that pannacotta looks and sounds amazing i love the idea of the basil
thanks again!!!!!
I love the idea of glamping – I could totally do this! I dont mind regular camping (as long as there is a toilet block!) but the boy doesnt! Hes more precious than me! hehe
Glamping would be my thing, I don’t like tents etc
Too funny.. glamping indeed! My preferred method of camping is taking a sleeping bag and pillow out to the sand dunes at the beach and sleeping out under the stars, unencumbered by a tent. I don’t much like tents – too many experiences waking up in stinking hot ones, with a blowfly or two that got trapped inside.
I would love to try the La Petite Princess and the Bara Brith please!
Oh what a treat i have heard about that camp before …. oh i wish ….. glamping is the ONLY way to go ! food looks lush too …… how sploilt you are Lorraine
Oh I love camping! In yr 12 we got to go camping and had to set our own tents and all, it was great! Damn cold (as we went during June) but it was fantastic! I wish I can go camping again but wouldn’t mind giving glamping a go.
Food looks fantastic as always.
I never knew there was such a thing as glamping! Now that I do, it is something worth considering as I’m not much of a camping gal. Love the post!!
This looks like so much fun!! Plus the food, wow. I’ve been to Kiama and the blowhole so many times but can never find a good restaurant there. But now I know! I plan on visiting soon.
Thanks for sharing.
Now that looks like the kind of camping that I could cope with! What lovely looking tents! No crawling in and out of snake infested sleeping bags – how civilised. And the food photo’s look divine!
This is too funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qle-vjHoQa4
Lorraine, now I know we are long-lost sisters. After last summer’s excursion I told Mike I no longer camp. (And he was sweet enough to agree, lol.) But glamping I could totally do! Your tent is adorable, the food fabulous, but I must say the best part is clean hands.
Ooh – I never been Glamping but I like camping… only in winter though! I don’t cope in the heat and winter means snuggling, big fires and marshmallows!!
Oh, I’ve always wanted to go to Paper Bark Camp!!
I’m just like you, I’m not a big fan of camping, thank you very much. I totally get why people would love camping, don’t get me wrong. I know it’s fun and refreshing to be in the middle of nowhere, at one with nature, in beautiful remote locations. BUT… why on earth would you sleep on the floor with all sorts of insects and mosquitoes crawling around?? And no shower?
My motto is more: we work too damn hard all year, when I’m on holidays I want to relax and indulge! Call me a spoilt brat or a city girl (which I am, the latter, not the former), but I’m all for “glamping”!! So thanks for sharing your experience with us Lorraine, I’ll try and convince fiance to go to Paper Bark Camp one of these days ; – )
Glamping I love it. The Ocean Trout with Asparagus is so vibrant and fresh looking. Your tent is amazing. Thats my kind of camping. I remember being forced to stay in tents as a kid. Ew. Give me a hotel or a Glamping Tent any day. ehehe
oh my goodness!! I am soo jealous! I have been wanting to go to Jervis Bay forever. Sounds fab.
Lorraine, nice post…love the pictures…I’d take the glamping over camping in no time…camping is not my thing
Glamping sounds like luxurious fun Lorraine! Though having a fluffy looking bed isn’t very camp like is it? Hehe, I like how they’ve got showers and toilets semi outdoorish.
Great photography, I like the moody kind of feel in the Kangaroo and pana cotta picture.
Camping, glamping, eating kangaroo. Eating kangaroo? I didn’t know about eating kangaroo. This deserves its very own post for us Americans. I’m like you..no camping. I even have issues with hotels in the woods.
I like this camping in style, awesome! The meals all look wonderful there!
You are such a glamourpuss, I’d imagine that even ‘glamping’ is would be roughing it for you (it would be for me, too!). Thank goodness for proper toilets and civilised wifi
Yes, glamping over camping! I hate camping! I for one am a very,very pampered child and I demand my toilet right next door, and warm water, please!
Glam camping? Sweeeeet, that’s more like it. I dislike ‘rustic’ camping. Bad memories of being at school and finding the odd cockroach in a meal. Bleugh. Your version looks much better
Have never been a happy camper and resisted all calls to do so. Not even Glamping will get me there, especially billion mosquito inhabitants.
We had a similar experience in Cairns, Midgies!
Nasty, nearly invisible insects that love humans! Argh!
5 star or the highway for me,lol.
The food looks great, must try it out next time I venture south.
I don’t like camping either and the only “tent” in which I stayed was at the Paper Bark Camp!
I loved dining with the possums watching us!
Don’t depress me! I have finally agreed to go camping in a month’s time, and guess what – NO facilities at all on North West – which by the way is a 7 hour barge trip! Try that for size! I am determined to prove them all wrong and will cope despite all my trepidations!
Your photos are sublime and your commentary is wonderful – yours is the first blog I have ever subscribed to and I LOVE it!
Not a fan of camping either. I don’t think the glamping would do it for me either, I’m a mossie magnet unfortunately.
The food looks really good though!
This is Survivor – The Glam Edition. My kind of “camping” trip!
Omg, glamping looks awesome (minus the mossies) and kind of romantic
I’m used to camping on grounds and digging a whole in the ground as a toilet! Lol.
Glamping seems like the only way to go to me! The food looks amazing, and the tent is like something out of a movie.
Do you find that eating garlic dissuades the mozzies a wee bit? It does with our biteys, here, but I know your wildlife’s made of heartier stuff.
camping? no thanks. glamping? with toilets? and real food? NOW you’re talking.
thats looks and sounds like a good camping trip Lorraine. oh yes the bathroom is the most important room….always.. when ur camping…ive never camped because of the lack of washroom facilities. i dont do bushes.
teh food looks amazing too. Imagine you didnt even have to start a fire. what a brilliant idea . Glamping ..:D
well the glamping sure looks nice and I wouldn’t say no if offered – but it costs more than a fancy hotel! Eep! I think I’d rather go regular camping hehe.
I think it all depends on WHERE you camp – I’ve always preferred caravan parks where they have proper shower and kitchen facilities to just roughing it with no running water and long drop dunnies (ew!).
I too hate camping, but if I had to do it, this would be the only way I’d agree haha! Looks like fun and the food looks lovely too
I’m all for proper camping, sorry! Each September we go to Fraser Island, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more idyllic location, RIGHT on the beach. Sun, surf, fishing, hiking, falling asleep listening to the waves crashing….Bliss! (and for $10 a night )Wish we could still have camp fires though! Toasting marshmallows over the heat beads isn’t quite the same. A good camp set up is just as comfy!
Over many years I have both loved and hated camping. At the moment I am quite enjoying it, but missing our boys who have their own schedule and don’t come with us anymore. But, we take all the mod cons (I stop at the fridge though) and cook up some fantastic meals. We have recently been dubbed “cafe campers” for our preference of cafe visits over bushwalking.
I loved our experience at paperbark camp. The whole glamping concept is very smart. We did get a visit from a fat possum at night, much to my horror.
i’m definitely a glamping kind of gal. the closest experience i’ve had is the family summer cottage in finland. normally, to me, camping means sleeping on the pull out couch.
Mmm restaurant 1871. I’ve been there and almost had to share my roast pork with my friend which I didn’t want to, so we went back again after 1 month with her ordering the roast pork, lol.
The pizza and dips are delicious too, also they do provide cook-your-own BBQ menu.
Seeing your scampi papardelle in here, I will be back there soon.
I forgot the name or the cafe which served seafood basket in Kiama. Will let you know if I come back there. Also, there is this famous goat milk soap and the clothes being sold in Kiama are really vintage, cheap and they do selling beautiful party dress there.
i like the vanilla and basil pana that must be terrfic !! cheers from Paris Pierre
Hi Blond Duck-We sure do! Not koala though
Hi Hannah-Hehe very clever! If I could have changed to cooking I would have
Hi Amy-Yes I think some people (me) get more bothered by mozzies than others!
Hi Gera-Wonderful!
Ahhh aren’t mosquitoes just awful! You too Gera!
Hi Celia-haha! So I couldn’t convince you to go glamping?
Hi Liss-Indeedy! Ahh what’s in Huskisson?
Hi Lulu-yes and it’s lovely!
Haha well maybe hubby can take him huh? That’s the arrangement I’d make 
Hi sandra-I think it would be nicer in Winter or whenever those little buggers let up. No I haven’t really been watching it!
Hi tasteofbeirut-Hehe yes the food was excellent! Yes it does seem to be a very popular dish. I think it’s easy to make and a crowd pleaser. I’ve never tried rattlesnake fritters though-what are they like?
Hi Cakelaw-Amen to that!
Hi Simon-yes glamping seems to be the way to go for me at least!
Hi Alyce-It is!
Ahh where did you go? Oh no, you poor thing, that would be terrifying! :O Haha I like that saying! 
Hi Ruth-Yes I like comfort. Nothing wrong with that!
Hi Mary-Oh you poor thing! Not good!
Hi Robert-Haha indeed!
Yes they seem to love me too. I wish they didn’t! It’s not very nice is it! Yes the food was great, I was really pleased by it 
Hi MrsDesperate-Hehe I totally agree!
Hi Lisa-Hey that’s fair enough. Mr NQN is a regular camper from his family’s influence
Hi Meaghan-I think it’s a relatively new concept
Haha I like 5 star too!
Hi ljb-Well you make it sound good when you describe it that way!
Hi Ani-Hehe me too!
Hi Shakti-I’d love to recreate that one at home!
Hi Sarah-haha isn’t that funny!
Hi Fiona-I wouldn’t know how to put one up!
Hi Conor-Oh really? On the sand dunes? I never knew you could do that! Oh those were gorgeous!
Hi Monica-Haha yes it’s the only way to go camping really
Hi Phuoc-wow it would have been cold in June! Yes I was realy pleasantly surprised!
Hi Einna-Hehe yes I agree! I only heard about it recently and it is fabbo indeed! Thankyou!
Hi Sabina-Wonderful!
You’re more than welcome!
Hi Amanda-eeek snakes? I didn’t even consider those!
Thankyou!
Hi june2-LOL I love it!
Hi Faith-Haha it’s so true!
Absolutely, clean hands are fantastic! 
Hi Joy-Ahh well toasted marhsmallows will always get my attention heehee!
Hi Myriam-yes, the lack of shower is just not for me. Great if someone else can do it but everyone has different limits and mine just happens to stop at not having showers
Wonderful! I hope that you like it!
Hi Katherine-hehe I love it how everyone loves glamping! I wish I could tell my Geography teacher!
Hi Gastronomy Gal-it was fantastic! I can definitely recommend it
Hi Juliana-Thankyou so much!
Hi Renita-yes it’s not very camp like but I liked it anyway
Hubby and I thought that they’d struck the right balance between camp and glamour 
Thankyou!
Hi Angela-We do it as there is a large kangaroo population. It’s a very lean meat but quite nice. Haha you are too funny Angela-love it!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thankyou so much! they are really good
Hi Belle-Hehe this was actually pretty good!
As long as I have a shower and a nice bed and good food then I’m quite happy 
Hi sophia-Hehe and that’s why you’re fabulous!
Hi Emma-eeek a cockroach in a meal?
that’s scarring you poor thing!
Hi Matilda-Ahh yes and they seem to like some more than others. I know they just feasted on me!
haha I love how many non campers there are here! 
Hi Julia-Ahh what did you think of it there? Hehe I missed the possums-ah well!
Hi Mandy-Oh wow, no facilities? All the best for that! I bet that ought to win some points though and in return you could get a spa week out of it
I admire your determination! Thankyou so much! 
Hi Karen-Yes I am too *sigh*…. It was very good!
Hi The Little Teochew-Haha you are too funny!
Hi Betty-Yes it is quite romantic being under the stars. I think some of the other couples were honeymooners. Oh my!
Hi wenchie-yes I was so relieved when I saw the tent!
Hmm I didn’t know that but that’s a really good tip1 Haha yes our wildlife do seem much more robust!
HI grace-hehe of course!
Hi zurin-Yes the idea of bushes is just beyond me. I like running water and proper bathrooms. I just can’t help it!
Oh yes I didn’t even think of that! 
Hi Esz-Yes although the cost does cover breakfast and dinner too but yes it isn’t cheap and I’m not sure how much normal camping costs
Hi Brenda-Hehe yes it took me quite a few years to agree to it and even then it was this kind of camping!
Hi Fiona-hey no need to be sorry-each to their own!
It does sound nice though.
Hi Suzanne-Ahhh good idea if you can take tehm with you!
Hehe I think I like your idea of camping!
Hi Shirley-Hehe oh you didn’t like the possum? I was hoping we’d find one!
Hi clearlytangled-Ahh yes I’ve done that in Finland and it’s amazing isn’t it!
Hi Lilia-yes that is very true, the cook your own BBQ wasn’t on when we were there but it looked like a good idea. Ahh cool, I wish we had stopped to see the shops!
Hi pierre-it was !
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