Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is a brand new glamping experience in "Big Sky Country" in North West NSW. With just 8 luxury star tents, this couples retreat combines back to nature with beautiful accommodation. Find out all of the details of what a stay is like at Wilderluxe.
The drive from Sydney to Lake Keepit is around 5.5 hours long and Mr NQN and I stop halfway for a very quick bite promising to linger longer on the return journey. We pass signs that say, "Best coffee outside of Italy" and are tempted to stop at "Who'd A Thought It" look out. When we get close to Lake Keepit, the asphalt road becomes lined with balls of cotton from the cotton farms that echo the clouds in the sky above. Lake Keepit is formed from Keepit Dam that supplies the water for these cotton farms and other agricultural businesses in the Namoi Valley.
Big Sky country is the name given to this part of Northern NSW between Tamworth and Tenterfield. It is a place where the sky stretches endlessly with open land, gentle terrain and the quiet absence of large buildings. A wallaby pauses then bounces off. We have arrived at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.
Wilderluxe is the Reflections Holiday's first foray into luxury glamping. The group is mostly known for camping and caravan parks. Over the next few years they will also be building Wilderluxe retreats in Brunswick Heads, Eden, Lennox Head and Lake Glenbawn.
This is glamping, but for those that skew more towards the glamorous end than the camping. It’s for those of us that love nature and need a retreat but still want creature comforts. General Manager Dan puts it plainly, "It's for people who want to do nothing."
It is early days and Wilderluxe welcomed their first guests on the Easter long weekend. All of Wilderluxe eight star tents are identical and designed to make the most of the stunning setting in front of Lake Keepit. Our star tent "Baiame" means the creator god or sky father for the Wonnarua, Kamilaroi, Guringay, Eora, Darkinjung and Wiradjuri people. The glamping here borrows from luxury lodges but with a DIY element. All of the provisions for dinner are there for you to make your own BBQ dinner in your star tent.
Tent is perhaps understating the accommodation; it is more a building that is tent shaped with solid 10cm/4inch thick walls. All of the tents are fully insulated with an inside and outside lining so that you are completely enclosed in a solid structure. And the photos of the tent don't do it justice. It is beautifully appointed with a comfortable king bed and two comfortable chairs to sink into and read. There is no tv but there is wifi. A record player and vinyl, games and binoculars are provided. I put on the record from Air and swing open the doors to the balcony equipped with tables, chairs and barbecue. The sky and nature is the focus here along with understated elegance.
At the centre of each tent in the Skydome, a ceiling viewing window. There is so little light pollution in the area that they can claim not just a five star stay but a 5 million star stay.
The bathroom has Hunter Lab amenities and a spacious shower. And if you're thinking of stargazing, each tent has a large soaking tub on the balcony.
The Gilay lounge is where guests can help themselves to coffee and read one of the books, watch tv and relax. There are two celestial telescopes available here. It is mostly closed at night and open during the day.
At 5:30pm once the sun sets, we head to the firepit next to the Gilay Lounge where Dan is stoking a fire and he offers us some pre-dinner drinks. The fire is mesmerising and we sit and talk. The other guests don't make an appearance, they're firmly settled in their tents.
At dinner time we look in the fridge where there are beef and pork steaks and salad. It's my birthday and I claim the night off from cooking so Mr NQN starts up the barbecue and cooks our steaks while I pour wine and lay out the salads. The pork steaks are delicious - simply seasoned but moreish.
We finish with the cheese platter and fruit as well as some chocolate brought from home.
"I want to have a bath but I don't want anyone to see us," I say to Mr NQN.
"Easy, just turn the light off," he says. He runs the bath that takes exactly 8 minutes to fill and we both sink in, the light of the moon and stars in the dark sky the only thing illuminating us.
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever been glamping? What do you think about this style of accommodation?
Coming up: day 2 of Wilderluxe, Lake Keepit!
Wilderluxe Lake Keepit
Keepit Dam Rd, Keepit NSW 2340
Phone: (02) 4072 2013
https://wilderluxe.com.au/retreats/lake-keepit/
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