Located within 7,000 acres of Australian bushland between Wollemi and Gardens of Stone National Parks, is Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, a beautiful lodge and conservation retreat in the Blue Mountains. This is a real back-to-nature experience, with fine dining, excellent wine, a superb spa and ultra-luxury villas to boot. To really make an entrance, arrive by helicopter - the journey time is just 45 minutes from Sydney and the flight takes you over Sydney Harbour before approaching the Blue Mountains and swooping down over eucalyptus trees into Wolgan Valley.
The Main Homestead is the heart of the resort, a stone lodge with soaring ceilings, tall fireplaces which divide the bar from the dining room and a wall of windows looking across the valley. Generous breakfasts are served here, as are equally delicious - and exquisitely presented - dinners. A pool with loungers sits alongside the Homestead - a lovely place to relax and cool down after mountain biking, walking the trails or riding.
Accommodation is in vast Heritage Villas, each of which features a cosy sitting room with deep, squashy sofas, complimentary minibar and a large double-sided fireplace which separates the living room from the bedroom. Bathrooms are generously-proportioned, with full-size Sodashi products and large tubs conveniently positioned next to the window looking out over wallabies grazing in the valley. Alongside the living room, there's a heated plunge pool and bi-fold windows that can be rolled back in summer. Heritage Villas can accommodate up to two adults and two children (children accommodated in the living room). For more space or larger parties, consider a Two-Bedroom Wollemi Villa or the Three-Bedroom Wolgan Villa. A verandah runs along the length of each villa with views across the valley - kangaroos and wallabies bounce right up to the steps, a delight to watch at dawn as the sun fills the valley and Willie Wagtails chirrup and dive overhead. At dusk, wombats start to appear, grazing alongside the kangaroos. Binoculars are provided, as are walking poles and mountain bikes.