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Return to Bukirk Glamping - Camping and Now 'Cooping' In Style - Clare Valley, South Australia

One of several bell tents at Bukirk Glamping, Clare Valley, South Australia.
Bukirk Glamping, Clare Valley, South Australia. 

One of my favorite getaways in South Australia is Bukirk Glamping in the Clare Valley. So much so that this visit was the second time my partner, Enigma, has gifted us a stay there on my birthday, and our third stay overall.

We both love it and always leave wishing we could stay longer.

Despite the planet having a 'Mostly Closed' sign on it for most of 2020 and 2021 it doesn't seem to have slowed business owner and host, Alison 'Chook' Meany down much at all. All her plans for expansion since we were last there in 2018 have all been realised and then some.

If you're not familiar with 'glamping' think of it as kind of like camping for people who don't like the inconveniences of camping, particularly having limited access to power points and a proper bathroom. 

Inside the Wyandotte Tent, thoughtful details like this 'Welcome Back' by Alison really help make us feel like we're coming home, more than having a holiday.
Inside the Wyandotte Tent.
Thoughtful details like this 'Welcome Back'
by Alison really help make us feel like
we're coming home, more than
having a holiday.

Bukirk's spacious Belle tents are fully powered and include heaters, king or queen sized beds, a bar fridge, couch, and sit next to a fully enclosed, ensuite, that also has heating and other luxuries you'd expect in motel style accommodation. There are now five tents onsite (up from the original two when we were last there), each with their own view of the surrounding country side.

Our tent (The Wyandotte Tent) has the added feature of clear skylight panels that give a real feeling of sleeping under the stars once you turn the lights out for the evening.

Bukirk's Glamping tents in the foreground and the two tiny house, 'fancy coops' in the background.
Two of Bukirk's Glamping tents in the foreground
with the two tiny house, 'fancy coops' behind (top left).

If fancy tents still aren't your thing Bukirk now has two impressively fancy 'Coops', otherwise described as 'rustic tiny houses'. Although Enigma and I really love the tents, Alison gave us a tour of one of the Coops. While they look appropriately rustic on the outside, inside you have a spacious, open plan, modern country home complete with kitchen/dining area, lounge/bed (with your own TV) area, and ensuite. 

If the surrounding camp grounds weren't so inviting you'd probably never need to leave the coop during your stay except to get supplies.

Bukirk's shared kitchen, dining, and lounge area.
Bukirk's shared kitchen, dining, and lounge area.

Speaking of the surrounding camp grounds, along with the shared kitchen, BBQ, dining and lounge shed (which includes a TV, wood heater, and plenty of board and lawn games to keep you entertained), there's also a fire pit area, and a fully heated swimming pool.

Bukirk is marketed as a romantic or group getaway for adults without kids. Unlike motel or hotel accommodation it's not just a place to leave your bags while you sight see, it is an experience in itself.

It's both a relaxing place to ease into your day and an equally relaxing place to finish the day. You may even find yourself returning to Bukirk early just so you don't miss the sunset. That said if you do want to spend the whole day just relaxing at Bukirk it's very much like the quiet, scenic backyard you wish you had (at least for us suburbanites).

Expect the sounds and sights of nature, birds, sheep (at this time of year lambs), chooks (of course), and the infamous Kevin 'Kevi' Bacon Bukirk's resident mini pig.

Having watched Bukirk grow through following the Bukirk Facebook page we were a little concerned that maybe it was starting to cater to a few too many guests compared to its early, two tent beginnings. There is definitely the possibility of guests having to navigate around each other in the shared spaces to a degree.

Including ourselves, the site was just over half full with bookings and, while we did cross paths at times, it seemed like our schedules never really clashed with the other guests at all. Whether this is an issue for you depends on whether you love meeting new people or you're more there to recharge your inner introvert (which is more us).

That aside even with more tents and coops Bukirk still feels just as peaceful and relaxing as ever. We enjoyed our two night stay and will no doubt be back again in the future.

Bookings can be made through the Bukirk website. If you haven't already definitely click through and see stunning photos of what your next getaway could look like.

Bukirk's Windmill at Sunset.
Bukirk's Windmill at Sunset.


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Comments

  1. Mum60July 04, 2022 2:02 PM

    This looks great. Love to go. Not much fun on your own though. Wonder if Perth has this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TET (David Arandle)July 05, 2022 12:24 PM

      Their are three Glamping locations in WA the closest one to you is Eversprings Glamping not too far from Mundaring Weir. Has the same Bell tents but sounds like they might have shared shower and toilet facilities rather than the individual onsuites Bukirk has. If you just want the peace and quiet you could go on your own. Typically you will cross paths with people in the other tents who may be up for a chat if you're open to being social.

      Delete
  2. Mum60July 09, 2022 7:58 PM

    Just checked back to see if a reply was here. Last time I typed a comment I couldn't even get it to put it on for some reason. I checked back a couple of times (this was before the pandemic well and truly) but it wasn't on and I think I had another go.

    Thanks for this reply anyway. I don't think I'd go on my own, though I went all the way to England on my own, even staying overnight in London there and back in a bed and breakfast place familiar to me. That was in '98 though and I was a lot younger.

    Had a look at the link (C & P first, and good job I did) and it is very well presented with most questions answered.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TET (David Arandle)July 12, 2022 12:03 PM

      Unfortunately all comments are being moderated now. They won't show up until I approve them thanks to constant comment spam I've been getting (see the note below the comment section). Even with moderation some are still getting through without any notification being sent to me.

      Glamping is really a 'couples' holiday since kids aren't allowed and most tents sleep two in a queen or king size bed. But if you did want some alone time it would be a great experience all the same. Guaranteed not to have any annoying kids around at least ;-)

      Delete
    2. Mum60July 17, 2022 5:55 PM

      Thanks for your reply. (I should have Mum76 now!) I've read your spam comment. They can be annoying and it's not good enough that they can't be stopped better. I did have some things to comment on in your other Newsletters but didn't get to them so would have been irrelevant probably. I've only just deleted a lot but got this current one. Lots of things need to come out of my mailbox. Still got three pages, when in the past I'd usually only have two. :-)

      Delete
    3. Mum60July 17, 2022 6:00 PM

      I've just done a reply but it didn't say it had gone until it did and then it still had my name there so I pushed Publish again and it was still showing the blank, so I don't know. It was only a short reply just acknowledging the reply really with a little bit added about the spam. I'll push Publish now and see what happens.

      Delete

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