Rustic, Luxurious Charm in Australia’s Wolgan Valley
The spectacular view. (Photo: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley)
Hotel: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley
Location: 2600 Wolgan Rd, Wolgan Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Background: The resort sits on Australia’s Great Dividing Range, amid a 7,000-acre reserve nestled between two national parks, the Wollemi National Park and the Gardens of Stone National Park, within the scenic Blue Mountains area.
The vibe: Rustic luxury
When to go: It depends what you like: In summer (which for Australia is December through February), it’s hot; in fall (March through May), it can be warm during the day but is cool early morning and at night, as well as later in the season; in winter (June through August), it’s cold and can be snow-capped, and in spring (September through November) it’s bursting with color.
Getting there: It’s about a two-and-a half to three-hour drive from Sydney.
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A Heritage Suite living room (Photo: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley)
The rooms: The mostly one-bedroom, king-bed Heritage Suites (starting at about $1648 a night) are pretty much my idea of villa heaven on earth. The décor was relaxing, cozy, and eco-friendly; the shower had an amazing skylight; and the double-sided fireplace was to die for. Each one also has its own swimming pool built into the deck. I even fell in love with the little wooden “Wolli the wombat” (carved by local artist Ole Nielson), a figurine they leave for you to alert the staff whether to change the sheets. (I would have bought one at the gift shop, except it was $550!) There are also three two-bedroom Wollemi Suites (starting at about $3009 a night), and one three-bedroom Wolgan Suite (starting at about $4657 per night). Room rates include all meals, select beverages, and two on-site nature-based activities (from the Wolgan Wildlife Drive to horseback riding and more) per day.
Related: Easy Luxury in an Australian Paradise
The wildlife is amazing. (Photo: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley)
What I loved: The never-ending acreage inhabited by kangaroos, wallaroos, wombats, unusual plants, and more. I woke up early one morning and decided to take a little walk before it was fully light out (16-hour time difference and all). I saw one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen — a mommy kangaroo and her toddler, sitting on a hill in the mist right in the middle of the guest bungalows. To Australians, kangaroos may be equivalent to our deer (abundant and a nuisance), but to me it was bucket-list worthy.
Don’t miss: The Wolgan Wildlife Drive. Each night at 5:30, a field guide takes guests on a drive around the property to spot literally scores of kangaroos, wallaroos, wombats, and more running free. And keep your eyes (and cameras peeled) for the albino wallaroos that live on the reserve. There are also scenic stops for photos of the majestic mountains that surround the area.
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What I didn’t love: I loved this place so much, I really only had two complaints. One was the food, which at lunch was almost inedible (dinner was better). The other was the proximity of the cabins to each other. They were very close with nothing stopping you from looking in on your neighbor (other than occasional shrubbery and window treatments). If you’re paying that much money to somewhere, there should be more privacy. The two- and three-bedroom villas are situated a little further from what I called “the cul-de-sac” – in fact, Derek Jeter and his pals were staying in the three-bed when I was there. But considering the even higher cost and the level of clientele, they still seemed a bit public.
What you can eat: Not so much. There are two restaurants on property: The Country Kitchen — for more casual meals — was pretty bad. Dinner in The Wolgan Dining Room was better but not a home run. You can also arrange private dining. On a pleasant note, much of the produce is organic and sourced either on property or from farms within a 100-mile radius.
Albino wallaroos hop the property. (Photo: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley/Facebook)
What’s nearby: There’s tons to do on-property from archery to horseback riding. There’s even more to do if you’re up for a little drive. Ten minutes away is the Glowworm Tunnel in National Wollemi Park. It was originally part of the Wolgan Valley Railroad, but today you can follow the old tracks to see rock formations known as pagodas, colorful plant life, and inside the dark caves, glowworms. (Be sure to bring good walking shoes and flashlight, but don’t shine it directly at the worms or touch them.) About an hour outside of Wolgan Valley is also the adorable town of Katoomba. Not only is there a little main street, but you can ride the Scenic Railway and Cableway for a scenic look at the Blue Mountains. The famous Three Sisters Rock formation is also a hop, skip, and jump from there.
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