(This Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley story by Jenny Nguyen-Barron first appeared in ForbesLife)

If the sound of vacationing somewhere in the Australian bush conjures up imagery of roughing it, tents and mosquito-laden billabongs then a few nights at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort will no doubt blow these misconceptions right out of the creek. For those looking to experience pristine wilderness inside Australia’s spectacular bush setting but aren’t willing to give up the luxuries of a resort style getaway then this may just be the thing.

Less than 3 hours drive from Sydney, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is located on more than 4,000 acres of remarkably stunning land situated in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area nestled between two national parks.

The Villas

40 freestanding villas offer couples and families a buzzing, active atmosphere and a rather high chance of spotting wild kangaroos hopping past your porch.

Each luxurious villa affords guests with generous living conditions complete with walk-in wardrobes, a sky lit shower room and a private back porch. Then there’s the Instagram highlight ”“ a temperature controlled private plunge pool with sliding windows that open up to a to the spectacular surrounding views of the valley and beyond.

Consistent use of natural materials like sandstone, wood and leather throughout the villa and resort itself give the interiors an Australian heritage style that co-mingles well with high-end contemporary aesthetics.

Dining

The words “all-inclusive food” might give any gourmand worth their salt a bout of anxiety but rest assured the standard of cooking, not to mention the seasonal, local and organic approach to produce selection far surpasses what most resorts in the ultra-luxury category have managed to offer (at least for this writer).

All meals and drinks can be enjoyed in the resort’s homestead, which, as expected, boasts panoramic views of dramatic mountains and cliff faces.

The Activities

With two on-site nature based activities included per person per day in the rate, your days are likely to be filled with plenty of outdoor action. To make best use of your time in the Blue Mountain’s stunning and abundant ecosystem, one should not miss out on joining an off-road safari to see the plethora of kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies and wombats going about their daily lives in their natural habitat. And, if all else fails, there’s always the spa”¦

https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-wolgan-valley-australia

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley
2600 Wolgan Rd, Wolgan Valley NSW 2790, Australia
+61 2 6350 1800

Jenny is Melting Butter’s Founding Editor. She’s NYC based via Melbourne, London and Amsterdam. Her hotspot recommendations have also appeared in The Observer, ForbesLife, Belle Magazine, National Geographic Traveler Magazine and Gotham Magazine.

(All photos courtesy of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley)

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