Imagine this: fresh air, natural beauty, and a whole lot of fun activities that both kids and adults can enjoy. That pretty much sums up Glenworth Valley. We’ve recently returned from a weekend there, and I thought I’d share our experiences with you all because I knew almost nothing about it before heading there and now I can’t wait to go back.
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A Bit of Everything for Everyone
Our little family—Me, my husband Mick, daughter (7), and son (5)—spent a long weekend at Glenworth Valley, and honestly, it felt like a perfect mix of adventure and downtime.
My kids are bundles of energy, and they thrived with the variety of activities. It was like a playground tailor-made for their adventurous spirits. They had an absolute blast, we all got to try new things, and the whole experience was way more comfortable than I expected for a camping trip!
Located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, about an hour from Sydney, Glenworth Valley is a beautiful spot for outdoor fun. It’s full of wide-open spaces and lots of things to do, perfect for both action-packed and relaxing visits.
Day 1 – Settling In
As soon as we arrived, we were blown away by the beauty of the valley, the scenery was gorgeous, and there was just so much space.
We’d booked one of the glamping tents, and it was even better than we imagined, but more of that later.
After unpacking and setting up, we grabbed a smores pack from the office ($20) that came complete with reusable marshmallow roasting sticks, marshmallows, a Lindt chocolate block, and a packet of biscuits. The kids couldn’t wait to toast them over the fire, a great result for these parents who had forgotten to pack a camping essential – marshmallows!
Sitting around under the stars that night, chatting with the kids in the moonlight was the perfect way to kick off our trip.
Day 2 – Horses and Muddy Adventures
We woke up early to the sound of horses being herded across the valley, this was the perfect way to build anticipation for today’s activities.
After cooking a big breakfast on the BBQ set up outside our tent we headed off for our first activity.
We started the day with a Pony Lead ride – the kids were so excited. Your child is matched to a pony and you are given a brief introduction of how to handle the ponies. The kids loved finding out their horses’ names and talked about them for days!
It’s worth noting that the ponies can be a little stubborn at times, so be sure to listen to the handlers instructions at the beginning about how to best lead them.
Tip: Don’t let them start eating the grass as once they start, they cannot stop!
Fun for the grown ups
After lunch, my husband got a little adrenaline going with quad biking. The guides were fantastic and gave time to practice before heading out. You start out with training exercises first up, then ride along a trail across the property to a racetrack.
The trail took him to a big dirt track where you can do laps at your own speed. There is enough space to go pretty fast if you are up for it!
If the weather has been rainy, don’t let that stop you as the track is awesome fun when muddy. You can hire coveralls to keep your clothes squeaky clean if you prefer.
In the afternoon the kids spent some time feeding the petting farm animals, baby goats, chickens and, some feisty yaks.
Our digs
Various accommodation options available on site, from regular campsites, to glamping, and luxury eco-cabins.
We experienced the Glamping Tents and wow, everything was so easy! We booked a Wanderer tent package through Simple Pleasures and as soon as we spied our glamping set up we were thoroughly impressed. Everything inside and outside of the tent was top notch.
The tent was much bigger than I expect and came complete with real mattresses and goose down quilts. There were lovely touches like Persian rugs and lux throw.
It’s a bit of a splurge, but so worth it for the comfort and ease. Who knew you could feel this chic in the bush?
The package included inside:
- 1 x queen and 2 x single Beds
- leather ottomans, and wooden chest for storage
- Individual portable lanterns for all people booked
And outside:
- Outdoor wooden table and 4 chairs
- Outdoor awning over table and chairs for weather protection
- 20L water canister
- 2 x large gas cylinders
- Gas cooker
- Open ground fire (wood available for purchase from the office)
- 60L Coolbox (Ice available to purchase from the office)
Practical Perks
One of the standout features of Glenworth Valley was the quality bathroom facilities. After a full day of adventure, the availability of proper bathrooms rather than communal shower blocks was a delightful luxury.
Unlike many camping experiences where hot water is a luxury, these bathrooms offered consistent hot water
Bathrooms with showers are scattered around the property, meaning it’s never too much of a trek to use nice amenities. We never had to wait to use one.
Everyone fell into bed happy and exhausted after a day of fresh air and animal fun.
Day 3 – Relaxing and Exploring
We started our final day with a leisurely bushwalk, letting the kids explore the creek and hunt for interesting rocks (spoiler: every rock is interesting when you’re 5). It’s moments like these that remind us of the simple joys and curiosity that nature can inspire in children, an experience increasingly rare in our digital age.
If you are someone who can’t start the day without a “real” coffee these are available at the kiosk. They also sell sandwiches and pastries if you didn’t pack breakfast.
One of the highlights for all of us was the running of the horses each morning and evening. The sight was absolutely captivating—watching the horses sprint freely was a magical reminder of the beauty we often overlook in our hectic lives. Those moments didn’t just connect us with nature, but also with each other.
Later in the morning, we wandered over to the petting farm, where my son was fascinated by the long haired yaks and his sister made it her mission to name all the goats. It was such a nice, laid-back way to wind down after the busy adventures of the day before.
Before we left, I managed a quick horse ride. You ride to your experience and there is no pressure to do any more than you are comfortable with. If you are an experienced rider you can go ahead of the group and very experienced riders can free ride through the trails with an agreed meeting time at the end.
Note: Horse riding trails are available for anyone over 7 years. There are a few different trails on the property so you will likely get to experience different ones if you book more than once during your stay.
Overall, this day reminded me of the importance of unplugging and making space for genuine interaction and learning with my family in a natural setting.
If you are travelling with older kids or a group of friends there are a bunch of other activities you might want to check out including:
- Kayaking for ages 7+
- Abseiling for ages 7+
- Laser skirmish for ages 7+
- Axe throwing ages 18+ (16+ with an adult)
We also saw some extra activities advertised at the office:
- Dingo encounters are available but can book out so request these before you arrive.
- Pick your own fruit experience Meliora Farm is available in season.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Glenworth Valley was an absolute hit with my family, and I can see it becoming a regular getaway for us. My daughter still hasn’t stopped talking about her pony, and my son keeps asking if we can go back and “ride the muddy bikes” when he is big enough. The mix of activities meant everyone got to do something they loved, and the glamping tent made everything so easy and comfortable.
If you’re planning a visit, make sure to book activities ahead of time, and if you have the chance, give the woodfired pizzas a go. Heard from the grapevine they’re not to be missed.
Glenworth Valley was such a perfect getaway for our little family. Whether you’re after adventure, relaxation, or just a chance to spend quality time as a family, this place ticks all the boxes.
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