It was a much loved trip to Africa that saw Irena and Jeremy Hutchings build their own safari-esque dream, The Paperbark Camp at Woollamia, Jervis Bay on the New South Wales' south coast, in the late 1980s. Track forward to today and the site has developed into an eco haven for those who like a little dose of rustic in their holidays. Far more than a mere camping tent, visitors to Paperbark Camp will sleep in one of 12 luxury 'safari tents', set on raised timber platforms within the stunning paperbark forest, in the unspoilt natural beauty of Jervis Bay.
Your hut has all the amenities that make it more comfort than camping. There's no public toilet or shower blocks here, but rather guests each have their own private bathroom. And you won't need to pack your sleeping bag when you have a full timber bed, complete with linen. The cabins are simple but stylishly done, with small decks to relax on, and polished timber floorboards throughout. There's also four Deluxe Safari Tents, which have the bonus of a clawfoot, cast iron bath.
You're in a designated National Marine Park here, so an eco adventure is assured. The camp offers plenty of packages for day trips that connect you to the surrounding environment, and when you're done exploring you can come back to rest and relax in to the comfort of your cabin or enjoy a meal at the onsite Gunyah restaurant, perched high in the forest in the bush canopy.
Sounds pretty special. And it sure beats pitching tent!
