Camping may not be most people’s definition of luxury travel,
but a visit to The Paperbark Camp on New South Wales’ south coast could well
change their minds.
In 1998, inspired by a recent trip to Africa, Irena and Jeremy Hutchings built
several luxury ‘safari tents’ deep within a paperbark forest in Woollamia, Jervis
Bay, giving birth to The Paperbark Camp. Essentially large canvas tents on
permanent raised timber platforms, each hut has a full bathroom, deck, polished floorboards and
bedroom with timber bed, all kitted out with ‘eco linen’.
Since being established, the camp has grown to include 12
tents in total, and now offers the original Safari Tents as well as 4 Deluxe
Safari Tents, which include a full bathroom with claw foot cast iron bath – far
from a traditional campsite.
The camp also boasts the Gunyah restaurant on site, where
chef John Evans (previously of 3 Weeds and Est.) has crafted a unique menu of local produce,
including Southern Highlands duck and Jervis Bay Kingfish, complemented by
Canberra wines and local and imported cheeses. Designed by Sydney-based Nettleton Tribe Architects, The Gunyah sits high in the forest with open walls
emphasising the feeling of floating in the bush canopy.
Designated a National Marine Park, the unspoilt natural
beauty of Jervis Bay will remain that way, for all to enjoy. The Paperbark Camp
offers packages that include a sailing excursion on the bay – a playground for
the dolphins and majestic whales – and entry to the Illawarra Fly treetop walk.
Accompanied by one-on-one hospitality and memorable food, The
Paperbark Camp offers the perfect way to connect with nature without abandoning
home comforts.
The Paperbark Camp
paperbarkcamp.com.au