If you’re anything like me and hate roughing it camping, then you will just love this place! Over the Christmas break, we took the kids and headed 3hrs out of Melbourne to a little town called Yackandandah for a few days to go glamping (Glamourous camping).
Now while some of you may think this isn’t a true form of camping, I beg to differ haha. We slept in a tent, so it is 100% camping but without the back breaking blow up mattress or rocks under your feet. We booked a 6 metre Emperor tent through Into The Woods Glamping and it was the most beautifully set up tent we have been to. I’ve been glamping before, but this was right up my alley in terms of styling. The moment you drive in, you are wowed by the beautiful view of the lake. The tent is strategically placed so you wake up and step out onto a deck overlooking the gorgeous lake filled with greenery. It was simply breathtaking, I wish I could wake up there every day.
If I was to describe this place, it would say its like a 5 star hotel, except in a tent. Tabitha was so lovely to deal with and she had thought of every little detail for the accommodation. Extra blankets and pillows were supplied, beautiful crisp bedding, game boards, lanterns, coffee and tea, a heater/air con and I was so impressed to find she even went that little bit extra and supplied clean towels, shampoo and body wash. The tent is located in a very clean and beautiful caravan park that had all the facilities. A large kitchen with all the cooking needs and a huge bathroom with several toilets and showers so you felt right at home and they were cleaned daily! Now that is somewhere I would definitely revisit.
Now, travelling 3hrs to get to a relaxing destination is far from relaxing with two nagging kids, so we had to plan ahead of our trip. I made sure the girls were entertained with a Busy Bag each and packed plenty of snacks which was a saviour. They both took a short nap each and before we knew it we were at our destination. Oh and Miss T packed not only one, but 2 Trunki‘s haha filled with toys just in case.
Country living wasn’t bad at all. Everything was local and everyone was super friendly which was a fresh breath of air. We took the kids to the lake for a swim which was approx 20mins out.
If you’re thinking of road tripping with the family, I highly recommend you purchase an Indi Tribe Collective grazing table. I was the best thing we took. I used it for breakfast, lunch and dinners! Easy to transport as it folds flat and super stylish and sure to please. We also used it as an Ipad stand for the girls when they got to watch a movie.
Of course I couldn’t travel without my snacks and as you already know my obsession with Byron Bay cookies, I made sure I stocked up haha! Can never have enough cookies right?
Main attractions nearby: (unfortunately we were unable to check them all out, but I’d love to visit again and I will definitely explore a little more next time.)
FOOD:
Saint Monday Cafe – amazing local produce (vegetarian)
Graces Place – Great Thai (both are a 3 min walk)
15-20min drive
Bridge Road Brewery (amazing pizza)
The Provenance – High-end restaurant (amazing food)
The Bakery for amazing Jam
WALKING & HIKING
Stanley – Lookouts and Views The Murmungee Lookout This picturesque lookout delivers stunning views and an area to enjoy a picnic and take in the peaceful surrounds. Please note – it is difficult in wet weather to approach. Mt Stanley Summit Head to the Mt Stanley Summit and enjoy you amazing views of the surrounding area. The approach is via a dry weather road only. Mount Pilot Lookout Take the short 300m-stepped climb to a surprising 360-degree view of surrounding forest and farmland. The Mount Pilot Lookout Track is reached from the Chiltern-Beechworth Rd, turning off at the Old Coach Rd, then to the Mt Pilot Summit Picnic Area car park. It is then a short walk to the Lookout up a formed track. SWIMMING & FISHING Allan’s Flat Reserve & Waterhole Allans Flat Reserve is approximately eight kilometres from Yackandandah, heading northeast on the Yackandandah-Wodonga Road. Allan’s Flat Reserve is managed as a Family Fishing Lake and stocked twice yearly with rainbow trout and annually with golden perch. WATERFALLS Woolshed Falls The Falls are a popular destination for nature lovers and history buffs. The area was once the centre of one of the richest goldfield’s in Australia, where up to 8,000 prospectors camped along the banks of Spring Creek, in search of their fortune.
LAKE The lake at Allens Flat Reserve near Yackandandah, created during the gold rush days from dredge mining is a popular swimming hole for locals. Take your own picnic and shade and enjoy a cool swim during warm summer days and evenings. NATIONAL PARK
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park Located between Beechworth and the low hills surrounding Chiltern, the park contains the highest number of mammal, bird and reptile species recorded at any Box-Ironbark site. Over 200 bird species have been recorded; including threatened woodland species such as the Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Turquoise Parrot and Square-Tailed Kite. The park includes the striking Mt Pilot Range and Woolshed Falls and protects box-ironbark forest that once covered much of northeast Victoria.
