Indulge in a luxurious Australian bush escape

In drastic need of an escape after a busy week, my family and I excitedly pack up one Friday to drive to the iconic Turon Gates – an expansive 2,428-hectare off-grid retreat in the Australian bush – for some much-needed respite from the city.

An easy 2.5-hour drive from Sydney and an hour or so north-west of the iconic New South Wales Blue Mountains, Turon Gates is ideally situated for the perfect weekend away with families and friends.

On driving through the gates, we’re welcomed by a mob of kangaroos languishing amid the towering gum trees on either side of the road. A female kangaroo with a little joey in her pouch stands alert mere meters from our vehicle, watching us as we slowly pass.

We open the windows to breathe in the fresh alpine air and are awed by expansive picture-perfect vistas from seemingly every angle as we drive toward our accommodation.

The luxury lodge

There is a range of solar-powered, eco-friendly accommodation options available at Turon Gates. From rustic log cabins to couples-only glamping tents, family-friendly mountain cottages to a luxury lodge, each provides guests with cozy fireplaces, private bathrooms and stunning views.

My family is staying at the luxury lodge ‘Sunvale’ – a stylishly decorated home that sits comfortably above an expansive private gully and offers awe-inspiring views across the landscape.

Private and remote, Sunvale is bush luxury at its finest, with two bathrooms and four spacious bedrooms – two with floor-to-ceiling windows that take advantage of the views over the gully and beyond.

These bedrooms also open onto the large deck, which boasts a cluster of sun lounges for optimal relaxation, a large wood-fired hot tub and barbecue. The home is ideal for entertaining with its 10-seater dining table, fully equipped kitchen, comfortable living area and a super-efficient inside fireplace.

All essential amenities are provided, and we’re thrilled to receive a gift of wine and local honey on arrival. We have, however, brought all our own food and drinks with us, as the nearest restaurants, stores and supermarkets are some distance away.

On arrival, we use the firewood provided to fire up the hot tub so it’s ready to use after dinner and light the outdoor firepit to enjoy the dusk. As we sit around the fire, we witness a sea of stars sparkling above us as two wombats waddle their way across the grass nearby and wallabies watch us from the sanctuary of the gully below.

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Impressively, Sunvale is committed to sustainability and runs almost entirely on solar power. While wi-fi is available at Sunvale, mobile reception in general is limited, which we choose to embrace and embark on a weekend digital detox that only adds to our experience by allowing us to live in the moment.

Enjoying the outdoors

After a restful night’s sleep, we cook a full breakfast on the barbecue and then prepare to set out to explore the gully and surrounding area and, later, take advantage of several activities on offer at Turon Gates.

First, we make our way to the horse stables, where we’re kitted out and introduced to several new equine friends. From the stables, we are guided by the friendly staff on a stunning hour-long horse ride, leisurely crossing rivers, following bush tracks and savoring in the peace and quiet at a relaxing, gentle pace.

After lunch, we explore the expanse of the property by car, bushwalk along established tracks and find the perfect swimming spot for a delightful river dip. Later, we take out two canoes and spend hours gliding down the gentle Turon River to experience the property from the water.

As the sun sets on our last night at Turon Gates, we luxuriate in the outdoor hot tub and unanimously agree that this weekend has been one of our favorite short getaways yet.

While there’s been limited time to take advantage of all the activities on offer this visit – we missed out on a visit to the glowworm caves, abseiling and a helicopter tour of the Capertee canyon – knowing it’s so close to Sydney, we’re already planning our return to Turon Gates to further experience this extraordinary natural oasis.