Discovering Bonny Hills: A family adventure with a glamping twist

A glamping tent may not be the first accommodation to come come to mind when planning a family holiday, but all the pros of arriving at the park without having to set up a tent, plus space for everyone to spread out (unlike the tent squash) - a family glamping trip is definitely one to consider.

With glamping becoming more and more popular on Australian shores, they are popping up at all your favourite holiday spots like Lennox Head, Seal Rocks and most recently, Bonny Hills on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

Last month, Jacqui headed to Reflections Bonny Hills for their first epic glamping holiday and here's how it went:

"From the moment we arrived at Bonny Hills in the incredible Safari Glamping Tent, it felt like we’d stepped into the grown-up version of a childhood blanket fort but make it luxury! The kids wasted no time claiming their domain, the bunk room, which became the ultimate battleground for who got the top bunk. A quick round of paper-scissors-rock settled the score (as it always does).

And then… as if the Safari tents weren’t already amazing enough, they went and added a clawfoot bath on the verandah. A big yes, thank you very much! For the kids, it was a next-level outdoor bath-time adventure (a far cry from our usual caravanning “bucket baths”), and for me, it was a brief moment of pure bliss. After a beach trip, I soaked in the bath, surrounded by lush gum trees and palms, letting the serenity wash over me... until my family (there for my sister’s 40th) decided it was the perfect time for a good ol’ chat. Thanks, fam! Short lived bliss for me…Lucky I love them!

Food was another highlight of our trip. Big Brother’s Pizzas in North Haven is a must-do -- the pizza is so good from there! And when the unmistakable sound of the Mr. Whippy van echoed in the distance, the kids bolted for ice cream... dessert before dinner is definitely a vibe on vacay!

For coffee (and more food), the local surf club was an absolute gem. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner on offer, most importantly coffee!

Now, let’s talk about Bonny Hills itself. Sitting atop a hill, the park has views so spectacular they should come with a warning: “Prepare to have your breath taken away.” The breeze is part of the charm, but when we wanted a change of pace, we took the short drive down to Lake Cathie. It’s where the river meets the ocean, and it’s packed with everything you could want for a family day out - a playground, skate park, picnic shelters, and plenty of spots for the kids to float with the current, explore sand “islands,” and jump into little pools carved by the tide. Bonus: it’s dog-friendly!

As for the park itself? Immaculate. Everything was clean, well-maintained, and perfectly presented. Bonny Hills is close enough for a weekend getaway from Newcastle or even Sydney, but here’s the catch: you’ll never want to leave after just two days. Take my advice - save that holiday leave, because you’ll be extending your stay before you know it.

Bonny Hills, you’ve set the bar high for family adventures. We’ll be back… probably for longer next time!"

Get bitten by the glamping bug

If Jacqui's family holiday has you hooked, book your stay at Reflections Bonny Hills or checkout all our glamping locations, and create your own story.