Yellow Box Wood Glamping retreat safari style tent

Staying at Echidna Ridge in the Yellow Box Wood glamping retreat is a rare chance to enjoy all the romance of camping while sleeping in real comfort " and to reconnect, both with nature and with the people you care about. After spending a few nights up on that hill-top platform, watching evening colours fade over the bush and waking to birdcalls in the morning, I felt recharged and much more present with my partner and family. 

Arrival & First Impressions

The drive in is part of the charm: the Yellow Box Wood property spans more than 100 acres of bushland, with 2–3 km of marked tracks to meander. The tent is reached via a gravel/dirt road off Costerfield-Redcastle Road (3.29 km in), then careful slow driving through property tracks. Even before stepping into the tent, the elevated site of Echidna Ridge delivers " the tent perches high on a hillside, giving sweeping views across undulating bush and capturing glorious sunsets.

The tent is well isolated from its sister tent (Emu Valley) to ensure privacy, yet still part of the same thoughtfully designed retreat. The raised timber deck invites you to sit and simply look outward " whether with morning coffee or evening wine.

The hosts are inviting and caring and can provide local knowledge of the area and activities available and local wineries. 

Comfort Without Compromise

One of the strongest things about this stay is that "back to nature" doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. The interior of the tent is stylish and well-appointed, with a queen bed plus a "Bed Nook" for flexible sleeping arrangements. Reverse-cycle heating and cooling ensure the temperature is just right, and a wood-burning fire adds cozy warmth in cooler months.

The tent includes a kitchenette, small fridge, and dining for 4–6 " so you have freedom to cook lightly or enjoy a quiet meal together. Sliding glazed doors provide a sheltered connection to the outdoors while letting in light and view.

Water, power, and sanitation are all off-grid: solar power with backup generator, septic system, and on-site water. the Yellow Box Wood operators proudly note a minimal carbon footprint.

One practical caveat: there is no WiFi in the tents. This may initially feel like a drawback, but in reality it becomes one of the greatest assets of the stay " a built-in invitation to relinquish devices, be present, and simply exist in the bush. (Mobile 4G coverage does depend on provider.)

The retreat also provides a mineral salt swimming pool, landscaped within native gardens, that's a short walk or drive down the hill for a refreshing dip.

The Slow Magic of Glamping

Glamping at Echidna Ridge is about more than a bed under a canvas roof - safari style: it's about slowing down, seeing little details, and giving space for connection.

Nature rhythms. As evening draws in, the bush hushes. The sky darkens gradually, and you'll find yourself sitting on the deck, watching the silhouette of trees, listening to insects, perhaps spotting a kangaroo or two. The sunset from the ridge is deeply grounding. Later, the crackle of the fire blends with the night air. In the morning, birdsong stirs you gently. These transitions " day to dusk, night to dawn " become something to anticipate, not rush past.

Conversations, not distractions. Without WiFi vying for attention, there's more space for talking, reading, walking together,playing cards, or simply comfortable silence. The layout " living space flowing to deck, views at every turn " encourages sitting side by side, noticing the same scenes, and having conversations you might otherwise defer.

Shared routines. From collecting firewood (allowed when safe) to preparing a simple meal on the BBQ or in the kitchenette, the small acts of caring for your space invite collaboration. Walking the property, exploring the tracks, or venturing into adjacent Heathcote-Graytown National Park lets you share discoveries " a wildflower, a bird call, a panoramic view.

Ease & flexibility. Because so many creature comforts are included, you never feel like you're sacrificing " just choosing a different rhythm. That balance is vital: knowing you'll be warm at night, comfortable in the day, and free to do as little or as much as you like.

Reconnecting: With Nature, With Each Other

One of the deeper impacts of this stay was how it recalibrated my sense of connection. Living in an urban routine, it's easy to drift into parallel lives " reading phones, doing tasks, barely noticing the person next to you. But at Echidna Ridge, the canvas setting and absence of digital noise invite you back into shared awareness " of the place, of each other.

We drank morning tea on the deck and watched light shift across the hills. We paused mid-conversation simply to notice the wind in leaves or a golden glow on a distant ridge. In the evenings, lighting the fire and stoking logs became a quiet ritual. Without screens, we played cards, read together, or lay awake listening to distant owls.

That shift " from doing to being " is something glamping enables. It's not wilderness survival. It's restful immersion. The comfort removes friction; nature becomes the backdrop, not the burden. The result is a kind of gentle transformation: you leave more attuned, more relaxed, more aligned with your companion and the natural world.

the Yellow Box Wood

Practical Thoughts & Tips

• Best timing. Stay at least 2 nights to allow adjustment. The weekend minimum applies on Fridays and Saturdays.

• Weather. The tents are designed to be robust (reinforced, waterproof, wind-rated). But being tented accommodation, extreme weather can still impact comfort. Embrace the experience.

• Fire safety. Fire-pit use is restricted by CFA and fire danger ratings; follow the operator's directions.

• Food provisioning. Breakfast baskets, platters, BBQ and picnic baskets are available to pre-order. For flexibility, bring a few staples to complement what's offered.

• Shelter in rain. The deck's undercover shade is a boon in sun or drizzle; inside, sliding glazed doors allow you to watch storms from a rain-safe vantage.

• Respect the silence. The retreat is not for loud groups or parties: the design ethos is quiet enjoyment of nature.

• Explore locally. The property borders Heathcote-Graytown National Park, with trails for walking or cycling, and the regional towns (Bendigo, Nagambie, Castlemaine, Kyneton) are all within reach.

the Yellow Box Wood