Top End glamping options

From sweeping desert sunrises and sunsets in the Red Centre to waking up to sounds and sights of nature like roaming water buffalos in the Top End, the Northern Territory has no shortage of places to enjoy the great outdoors without compromising on luxury, style or comfort.

Bed with a view at The Drovers Dream. Photo: Grenville Turner

Kings Creek Station The Drovers Dream, Kings Canyon surrounds

Set among majestic desert oaks and located 36km from the magnificent Kings Canyon (Watarrka), Kings Creek Station has new accommodation, The Drovers Dream glamping. The Drovers Dream features 10 tents that capture the changing colours of the Watarrka landscape and George Gill Range, making it the perfect place to take in beautiful sunsets. This is a truly Australian outback accommodation experience, but with all the creature comforts built in. All tents come with beautifully appointed furnishings and luxurious internal ensuite including a plush queen bed, reverse cycle airconditioning, a walk-in ensuite shower, custom deck with BBQ and private fire pit for cooler evenings. Guests can book scenic helicopter flights or camel rides through the canyon, try the famous Kings Creek camel burgers or simply take in the gorgeous canyon views from their tent. Bookings for adults only.   

Tiwi Island Retreat glamping jacuzzi. Photo: Rhyse Maughan

Tiwi Island Retreat, Tiwi Island

Set among a pristine marine sanctuary off Bathurst Island, Matt Wright’s renowned beachfront Tiwi Island Retreat reopened its doors in March after undergoing renovations to its glamping and Ocean Rooms. This Retreat also offers all-inclusive package options that include world-class fishing adventures, Indigenous culture tours, and unique wildlife encounters.

The Retreat now features two luxury and sustainable glamping tents, which offer sweeping views of the ocean and run off-grid using solar and battery power. The tents all contain airconditioning, a bathroom, spare bedroom with bunk beds, living area, king bed, outside entertaining area and beachfront jacuzzi. Guests are given complete privacy, given walkie talkies to communicate with the staff to arrange pick-ups or experiences. Both tents can hold up to two adults and three kids.

The Ocean Rooms, refurbished in coastal style, are an equally comfortable and stylish alternative to glamping. All 10 Double Ocean Rooms feature queen beds with crisp white linen facing out onto sweeping views across Port Hurd with a private ensuite, perfect for couples. The Family Ocean Room features a queen bed, bunk beds and kitchenette, ideal for a family of five.

Banubanu Beach Retreat, Arnhem Land

Off the coast of East Arnhem Land, travellers heading to Bremer Island can stay at Banubanu Beach Retreat, a beachfront glamping experience made in partnership with local Yolgnu people. Banubanu Beach Retreat offers the simple pleasures of space, time and an escape from the modern world, offering uncompromised views of pristine beaches and coastal landscapes in one of the Northern Territory’s most remote destinations. The retreat accommodates up to 12 guests at a time, with options to stay at the Penthouse Bungalow or one of five deluxe beachfront bungalows with ensuite bathrooms and sundecks. Guests can enjoy an array of fishing and traditional mud crabbing experiences, encounter nesting sea turtles on beaches and book cultural tours with Yolgnu guides.

Top End Safari Camp, Darwin surrounds

Situated 1.5 hours’ drive from Darwin in an exclusive location off Finniss River, The Top End Safari Camp is a bespoke outback glamping experience combined with truly unique and iconic Top End activities. Guests are immersed in nature, from a thrilling airboat ride to a crocodile encounter and scenic helicopter flight, followed by a sunset, gourmet dinner, stargazing around the fire pit and overnight stay at their deluxe lotus bell tents.

Bamurru Plains, Kakadu

Dubbed ‘Wild Bush Luxury’, Bamurru Plains is an eco-friendly, safari lodge that offers exclusive access to 300sq.km of pristine floodplains, forests, wetlands and woodlands in Kakadu’s Mary River. Guests stay at one of 10 bungalow tents, built on stilts overlooking floodplains frequented by myriad bird and animal life. For an immersive nature experience, the Lodge has implemented mesh screens on three sides of the tents, allowing guests to hear, see and almost touch the wilderness around them. This intimacy is heightened by an absence of TV and mobile phone reception. When not relaxing in the tents or by the Infinity pool, guests can spend their free time exploring Kakadu’s natural beauty and enjoying incredible guided wilderness safaris. Each tent has ensuite facilities and accommodates up to two people, with the largest bungalow, the Kingfisher Suite, suiting up to a family of five.

Cooinda Lodge Outback Retreat, Kakadu

Village-style property Cooinda Lodge & Camping, located near the famous Yellow Water Billabong, is the perfect place to retreat to after a day of exploring waterfalls and ancient rock art sites at Kakadu National Park. For a private stay, guests can camp under the trees in one of their luxe Outback Retreats – 20 canvas tents built on an elevated platform to ensure minimal environmental impact. Each tent contains one queen bed, airconditioning, bar fridge, glass front door and deck with outback furniture for taking in the nature views. Each tent suits from two to four guests, and bathroom facilities are shared. There are also plenty of on-hand facilities including an inviting shaded swimming pool, bistro-style dining, bars, petrol station and a store.

Squeaky Windmill, Alice Springs

Situated on the edge of the iconic Western MacDonnell Ranges, Squeaky Windmill is an idyllic place to enjoy the beautiful scenery, birdlife and night skies of Central Australia. Only 15km from Alice Springs CBD and a short bike ride away from iconic sites, Larapinta Trail and Simpson’s Gap, Squeaky Windmill offers an incredible, yet intimate view of the outback from bed. There are three boutique eco-tents, which fit two to three people in each, but can be booked together to suit families. Each tent includes a sumptuous bed, barbecue, kitchenette, ensuite and deck.

Kings Canyon Resort glamping, Kings Canyon  

Ideally located between Uluru and Alice Springs, Kings Canyon Resort offers luxurious camping in Kings Canyon, the heart of Australia’s Red Centre and 440 years in the making. Travellers can relax in one of six Australian homestead-style glamping tents gathered in a central wiltja (meaning ‘shelter’ in Indigenous Anangu) area in the resort. These eco-tents are designed to blend with the rugged Red Centre landscape and generously spacious, with huge windows to welcome the otherworldly canyon views. Each luxurious tent features a modern lounge area, dining space, outdoor deck with seating, split air-conditioning system, and a private ensuite bathroom. Three tents have been designed for couples, while three family tents feature a king bed plus two king single beds.

Longitude 131, Uluru

Located within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Longitude 131 is Australia’s most celebrated luxury camp stayed by celebrities including Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Oprah and more. Guests pick from their Luxury Tents or Dune Pavilion, both offering floor to ceiling glass windows and jaw-dropping views of the sandstone monolith. All tents are designed with modern and classic furnishings that blend seamlessly with Aboriginal art, and come with an ensuite, private balcony with day bed and outdoor fireplace for taking in the desert night sky. The more luxe offering, Dune Pavilion, also offers sweeping views of not only Uluru but also Kata Tjuta, and includes a private outdoor plunge pool for soaking in dramatic desert views.   

Contact RACQ Travel to plan your Northern Territory holilday