Be part of this unforgettable and uniquely Australian wilderness experience.
This October be a part of Australia’s first wilderness festival to be held in the historical town of Joadja. Take advantage of the “Early Bird” pricing until June 30 – this is not your average weekend in the country.
Joadja Valley and Old Town is located in the Southern Highlands only 75 minutes from Sydney. Originally was a shale mining town, at its peak it was home to 1200 people who lived in tough, isolated conditions in the valley. The mine was closed, people moved leaving everything behind, slowly over time nature is taking Joadja back, climbing over buildings and workings it way into the foundations. Joadja is a fascinating part of Australia’s history.
This amazing destination is where the adventure will begin on a 1000 acre private property within the valley. WILDfest is glamping and adventure at its best consisting of a 3-day package that includes remote glamping, delicious food experiences, nature hikes, abseiling, canoeing and mountain bike riding.
This is no ordinary campsite, the bespoke tents have been created especially for this festival. Beds made with 900 thread count sheets and plush bath towels will all be included in your walk-in tent.
Tents can accommodate king, twin or quad beds.
Join the weekend adventure this October for a wonderous and natural experience. Itineraries are individually crafted for you and here is an example:
FRIDAY 27th October
11 am – Arrive and check in, enjoy a drink, meet the festival staff and settle in
Midday – Welcome Lunch
2 pm – Hike & Harvest – amazing wild life spotting, drink water from the streams and enjoy drinks at the top of the escarpment as you forage bush foods
6 pm – Pre dinner drinks as you watch the sun set
7:30 pm – Under the milky way gourmet fire feast from Brigid Kennedy at The Loch
SATURDAY 28th October
7 am – Yoga in the bush
Served until 9 am – Breakfast is served
9 am – Guided mountain bike ride through the fire trails on the property
12:30 pm – Lunch
2:30 pm – Meet the locals – Several local Southern Highlands Wildlife Rescue groups bring native animals up & close
5:30 pm – Native Feast 7 course degustation created by Damien Monley from Grand Bistro
SUNDAY 29th October
7 am – Tai Chi in the bush
Served unitl 9 am – Breakfast
9 – 11 am – 4WD exploration of the Joadja Ruins and Distillery
Midday – Lunch
2 – 3 pm – Rejuvenate Bush Spa
When you are not participating in an activity there is as much or as little to do as you desire. Relax in the shade of your glamping tent and read a book, enjoy a glass of award-wining cold climate wine, book a spa treatment or take a dip in the natural springs.
Joadja Old Town is teaming with wildlife from kangaroos, koalas and wombat populations to platypus, lyre birds and monitors. Nature offers a great show to just observe or perhaps engaging in conversation with another festival guest is the way to spend a lazy hour. This is your long weekend so you can opt in and out of activities as you choose and set your own pace
WILDfest is all about your experience.
Photograph native wildlife, explore colonial ruins, hike in pristine Australian bush, reward yourself with a foot massage or do nothing at all and just be in a secluded location.
Some other activities you can participate in include:-
- glow-in-the-dark boules tournament
- night photography under the splendour of the Milky Way
All nature-connect activities are optional but included as part of the package price alongside food, drink and accommodation.
The festival organisers schedule your day based on the questionnaire you complete after booking. These are matched to either your fitness level or desire for more leisure-based or physically challenging activity choices.
Unable to attend the 3 Day Premium Glamping Package in Joadja Old Town? Why not create your own festival itinerary by choosing from our curated Nature Connect Activities in Morton National Park. A highlight activity is Canoes, Champagne and Canapes https://wildfest.com.au/product/canoes-champagne-canapes/, it’s a must do festival experience that explores the sunken forest and its eerily beautiful backdrop of a convict-built sandstone road, winding uphill and linking the rainforest with our colonial past.
This is wilderness in its extreme and is home to the majestic azure kingfisher, wedge-tail eagle, diamond python, rock wallaby, white-breasted sea eagle, water dragon and more.
Take a seat in one of the custom-built double-canoe rigs and immerse your senses in the sheer beauty of this magical waterway. Indulge your taste buds with wild native canapés and a local award-winning cold-climate wine and discover this amazing region.
The canoe ride incurs additional charge.
A highlight of the weekend will be the Wild Native Feast on Saturday night. You will be taken into the wild to Joadja Old Town for remote dining set amongst the ruins of our mining past.
With a twist, gentleman will be given top hats and tails whilst the ladies are offered gloves and tiaras as you enter the specially designed native bush wonderland. Under the star’s guests will enjoy a 7-course food adventure carefully curated by Damien Monley of Grand Bistro, Bowral from the natural bounty of our land.
As Head Chef and owner-operator of Bowral’s stylish Grand Bistro, Damien has run the kitchen in Matt Moran’s eponymous 2-hatted restaurant, London’s internationally renowned Gastropub The White Horse on Parsons Green, the Brooklyn Hotel and has been owner-operator of two successful Sydney eateries, Madame Char Char at Surry Hills and Flat White Cafe, Woollahra.
This will be a magical evening not to be missed. Tickets for this one are selling fast so get in quick and take advantage of the early Bird Rate before June 30.
To book your WILDfest weekend experience, contact our Lifestyle Managers on 1300 724 748 or email info@eslifestyle.com.au.
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