Glenworth Valley Luxury Glamping In Sydney – Costs and Things To Do

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DO YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE GLAMPING IN GLENWORTH VALLEY?
Less than an hour away from Sydney, Glenworth Valley combines nature, adventure, and luxury for the ultimate wilderness glamping experience in New South Wales Central Coast. Experience outdoor adventures like horse riding, abseiling, and quad biking while relaxing in comfortable, fully-equipped tents with plush beds and modern facilities.

As a Sydney local, I have visited Glenworth Valley twice in the past 12 months and love how they take the hassle out of camping and offer everything we need for a seamless getaway. Whether you’re after some adventure or just relaxation, Glenworth Valley is the perfect escape into the great outdoors with a touch of luxury.  

Check out our reel here to see what it looks like!

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– Purchase Travel Insurance here: SafetyWing
– Cheapest Car Rental: DiscoverCars

Getting to Glenworth Valley

Glenworth Valley Entertainment Centre: Exterior view of the Glenworth Valley Entertainment Centre surrounded by lush greenery and hills.

Keen to experience glamping in Sydney? Glenworth Valley (69 Cooks Rd on maps) is conveniently located close to Sydney, Gosford, and Newcastle, making it the perfect spot for a day trip or weekend away from the bustling city. It takes about an hour from Sydney, (depending on the traffic), so we highly recommend leaving as early as possible to make the most of your day and the outdoor activities.

Accommodation Options

There are mainly 3 kinds of accommodation you can choose from:

1. Glenworth Valley Glamping

Enjoy the perfect blend of nature and comfort with Glenworth Valley’s glamping experience. The glamping tents are pre-set, beautifully furnished tents featuring soft mattresses, solar-powered fairy lights, cooking equipment, and fresh cotton sheets – all without the hassle of setting up.

Couple Glamping in Glenworth Valley: A couple sitting outside a well-furnished glamping tent, under a starry sky in Glenworth Valley.

I have experienced glamping at Glenworth Valley twice and here’s how I went about the booking process. The glamping tent provider and Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures are separate businesses so you need two separate bookings for your stay.

Step 1: Tent Hire – Choose your glamping provider and make a booking

You have the choice between 3 different providers for your glamping experience at Glenworth Valley: Simple PleasuresBelle Glamping, or Glampr Glamping.

We booked with Simple Pleasures for ~$225 per night and chose their Glamping Village package. This package ensures your tent is set up in the Glamping Village, an area designated exclusively for glamping guests.

INCLUSIONS

Each tent in the Glamping Village is supplied with the following:

Simple Pleasures Glamping Tent: Inside view of a well-decorated bell tent with a queen mattress, Persian rugs, and solar-powered fairy lights.
  • Pre-set 5 metre bell tent
  • Persian rugs and door mats
  • Queen mattress, fresh linen, and quilt
  • 2 burner gas cooker, gas bottle, and cookware – pot, pan, tongs, cutting knives, chopping boards, and tea towel
  • Metal camping plates and cups, cutlery
  • 60L Coolbox
  • Outdoor table and chairs
  • Fire pit outside your tent
  • Wooden storage chest, fire starting kit, washing up tub, and detergent
  • Lighting – Solar powered fairy lights at your tent door and battery-powered lanterns
Inside a Glamping Tent: Interior of a glamping tent featuring a queen bed with fresh linens, lanterns, and wooden storage.

Step 2: Campsite Booking – Book your Glenworth Valley campsite

To book the campsite, call 4375 1222 during business hours or make an online booking. Cost per night ~$32.

Glenworth Valley Glamping Cost

Glamping Cost (Tent Hire + Campsite cost): ~$250-$280 per night
Total Cost (1 night Glamping cost + 2 activities package) : ~$480-$500
(prices fluctuate a bit based on the season)

TIP:

Essentials like toilet paper, sunscreen, detergent, firewood, ice, and snacks are available at their onsite shop.

2. Luxury Eco Cabins

Not keen on the camping experience? Glenworth Valley also has 4 stunning luxury eco villas that you can book instead! They all have a terrace with mountain views, luxurious bathrooms, modern kitchens, and laundry facilities, and if that’s not enough, cozy lounges and entertainment systems too!

You can even experience an outdoor, woodfired hot tub in the Deluxe Hot Tub Eco-Villa!

3. Glenworth Valley Camping

Glenworth Valley is truly one of the most unique places for camping near Sydney. With so many activities at your fingertips, you can get a proper bush camping experience by getting your gear and booking a camping spot for ~$30.

TIP:

All campsites are unpowered, scattered along Popran Creek in large open fields, and as such offer a complete wilderness camping experience.


Alternatively, you can hire a campervan, and get your own home on wheels for this fun getaway!


Things to do In Glenworth Valley

Glenworth Valley is one of Australia’s largest horse riding and outdoor adventure centres, with a wide range of activities for both overnight guests and day visitors. The tours are expertly organized and guided by experienced professionals. Celebrities like David Beckham, Kayne West, Cate Blanchet, and Bill Gates can attest to it.

Glenworth Valley welcome board mentioning activities like horse riding, kayaking, abseiling, quad biking, laser skirmish, event centre, camping and eco cabins
Credit : Destination NSW

You can visit Glenworth Valley as a day visitor for as low as $10 and enjoy the valley and pick the activities that excite you most (we’ve added approx. costs to each below).

TIP:

No refunds are provided for late arrivals so always arrive at the reception/meeting point 30 minutes before your adventure activity. We almost missed ours!

1. Bush and Track Quad Biking

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Approx Cost: $120
  • Ages : +12 years

Quad biking was our favorite activity! The Glenworth Valley staff are professional and ensure you learn to ride in a safe yard setting before actually taking you out on the trail.

Quad Biking Adventure: A group riding quad bikes through scenic trails surrounded by trees and open fields in Glenworth Valley.
Credit : Destination NSW

If you’re looking for an adventure-filled weekend, don’t miss this activity! You’d be riding through over 15km of stunning wilderness trails on the scenic path – across lush landscapes, horses, highland cows, and through creeks giving you the taste of their 3000 acres of land. Then towards the end, you’ll be taken to a purpose-built circuit for some actual action-packed biking.

TIP:

If you’re looking to try multiple activities, we recommend their discounted adventure packages – we loved the abseiling and quad biking combo!

2. Glenworth Valley Horse Riding

  • Duration: 1.5-2 hours
  • Approx Cost: $120pp + $7.50 helmet hire
  • Ages : +7 years

Glenworth Valley is Australia’s largest horse riding centre and is one of the best places you can experience free range or guided horse riding as a first-time rider. Their friendly guides offer hands-on support from mounting to trotting and sharing tips to help you learn quickly.

Horses riding on the trails of Glenworth Valley, surrounded by lush greenery and open landscapes
Credit : Destination NSW

The guided horse riding tours pair you with a horse based on your size and experience and combine walking and light trotting as a more relaxed tour. However, free-range horse riding is available for more experienced riders as well.

TIP :

Check the weather forecast and reconsider horse riding tours if it is forecasted to rain. Personally, I did not enjoy riding in the rain plus in wet clothes too! eh!

3. Abseiling Adventure

  • Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Approx Cost: $115pp
  • Ages : +7 years

Experience the thrill of Glenworth Valley abseiling as you go down natural rock faces with panoramic views of the valley! Perfect for all skill levels, this abseiling adventure offers three descent options, starting with a beginner route to build confidence. Celebrities like David Beckham have tried it, so get ready to take on a challenge that will get your heart racing!

I suggest trying the beginner level and progressing to the other two levels as you feel more confident especially if you are a first timer, like we were. The staff are really friendly and patient so it’s definitely worth learning a new skill here.

4. Kayaking Tours and Kayak Hire

  • Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Approx Cost: $85pp – guided tour | $78 per day – single kayak hire
  • Ages : +7 years

Glenworth Valley also offers guided eco-kayaking tours for all skill levels where you’ll paddle through the tranquil wilderness while discovering historical artifacts and diverse wildlife. The tour follows the beautiful Popran Creek, which flows into the Hawkesbury River, offering a peaceful and scenic 5km journey.

Glenworth Valley eco-kayaking tours
Credit : Destination NSW

You can also choose to hire double kayaks ($135 per day) for double the fun as you paddle downstream and take in the breathtaking views of the region. The waterways are calm with no waves or currents to worry about, making it perfect for first-timers.

5. Bushland Laser Skirmish

  • Duration: Upto 3 hours
  • Approx Cost: $80pp
  • Ages : +7 years

It’s literally paintball – without the bruises! I tried laser skirmish in Glenworth Valley as part of a work team away day and had the best time! If you are a set of competitive friends then all the more fun.

Glenworth Valley provide camouflage clothing and laser guns that use harmless infra-red light that is picked up by headband receptors. The guided experience included 2 action-packed game styles: team combat and domination.

TIP :

If you’ve come right after the rains, expect leeches in the wilderness. Wear appropriate long-sleeved shirts and pants to avoid them!


6. Farm Animal Feeding

Farm animals in Glenworth Valley

Grab a $5 bag of feed from reception and feed the cutest petting farm animals like baby goats, chickens, and even yaks! This is a free experience and really popular for younger families with kids too.

7. Axe Throwing

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Approx Cost: $62pp
  • Ages : +18 years or +16 years with a guardian

Embrace your inner Viking and enjoy axe throwing at Glenworth Valley! Suitable for all skill levels, axe throwing sessions are a great group activity, combining friendly competition and outdoor adventure for a fun experience together.

This is typically only offered on the long weekends though!

8. Running of the Horses

Horses running through the trails of Glenworth Valley through the mud
Credit : Destination NSW

The free viewing of the running of the horses was one of the highlights of our Glenworth Valley experience. Typically between 4:30 pm – 5 pm you can watch over 200 horses charge through the valley as they move into their nightly grazing pasture.


Things To Know BEFORE Your Visit

➡️ Best time to visit Glenworth Valley

Glenworth Valley is a year-round destination – open for activities 363 days a year, just closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

  • Spring (September to November): Spring is one of the best times to visit, as the weather is mild, and the valley comes alive with blooming wildflowers. It’s an ideal time for outdoor activities like hiking and horse riding too.
  • Summer (December to February): Summer can be warm, making it perfect for water activities like kayaking. However, be prepared for higher temperatures, flies, and ensure you stay hydrated while enjoying your outdoor adventures.
  • Autumn (March to May): We love visiting in Autumn – cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage create a beautiful backdrop for your glamping experience. This is a great time for hiking and photography.
  • Winter (June to August): While winter is cooler, it offers a unique charm. Cozy up in your glamping tent and enjoy activities like quad biking in the crisp air. Just be sure to pack warmer clothing for the nights.

➡️ Is Glenworth Valley Glamping Worth It?

While it is ‘luxury’ camping, you still get the complete camping experience – with campfires, private bell tents, gorgeous sunrises, and starry skies while you need to also be prepared for flies (especially near the horses), and bugs (just like any other camping in wilderness experience) and sudden rains.

Want something more glamorous? Check out this post to find more glamorous alternatives to traditional camping.

➡️ Is there food at Glenworth Valley?

We recommend doing a quick grocery pit stop and stock up for your camping experience. However, they also have an onsite cafe with some breakfast and lunch options and a kiosk in case you forget some essentials.

Glamping in Sydney with a campfire

➡️ Where else can go glamping in NSW

There are so many glamping options near Sydney and New South Wales. Check out this post to find more glamorous alternatives to traditional camping.


The Wrap-Up: Glenworth Valley Glamping in Sydney

If you want to experience glamping in Sydney or even plan a full day of outdoor fun, Glenworth Valley is your perfect match! The starry skies, campfires, and private tent experience are absolutely worth it and will leave lasting memories for day visitors and glampers alike! You can DM us on Instagram if you have any more questions.


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