If you live in Sydney and its surrounds, you might’ve heard of Turon Gates. A two-hour and 45-minute drive northwest of Sydney, the property has been one of NSW’s most popular places for glamping since opening in 2018.
This January, Turon Gates unveiled new accommodation, Sunvale, a luxury lodge with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It also features a fully equipped kitchen and a 100 sqm deck with a wood-fired hot tub. Michael Lunoe, who owns and operates Turon Gates with his wife Alex, says the idea for the lodge came about when glamping customers started asking for a family option.
“Initially, the plan was for a family-sized glamping tent,” he says. “But one thing led to another and what started as a tent ended up being a luxury lodge.”
Turon Gates, a roughly 243-hectare property, was bought by Lunoe’s parents Sonya and Soren Lunoe in 1973 to be used by their family. Eventually, it was opened to the public for camping, and after that, log cabins and glamping tents were added.
Despite the other accommodation at Turon Gates, Sunvale feels, as Lunoe puts it: like you’re the only person on the planet. Walking around it, there’s no other building in sight — though, you will likely spot kangaroos, kookaburras and rosellas.
“It’s your hotel, grounds and all,” Lunoe says. “You have a private oasis you can enjoy with your family or friends, without worrying about anyone else. Make a racket, dance all night, stay up late, enjoy with abandon. You can hike 10 kilometres and never leave the property.”
With camping, cabins and glamping accommodation experience behind him, Lunoe ensured every detail of Sunvale was well-thought. Most of the timber used was repurposed hardwood from a factory in Newcastle. The home is also almost entirely solar-powered. Though it features high ceilings, it was built to be heavily insulated. This means it naturally stays cool in summer and warm in winter.
“Each bedroom has floor-to-ceiling, double-glazed concertina doors [type of folding door] that allow easy access to the walkaround deck,” he says. “The building faces due west to ensure guests have a beautiful sunset from the spa deck. The fireplace is glass on all sides, so the view is not impeded.”
For an ideal stay at Sunvale, Lunroe recommends you arrive as early as possible on Friday afternoon, so you can finish the day soaking in the tub with a colourful sunset backdrop. Saturday, he suggests you start early with some physical activity, like a hike, canoe or horse ride.
“Work up an appetite for a barbecue lunch,” he says. “Saturday afternoon should be lazy, lounging around on the sun loungers with a book or some great tunes. Then back into the hot tub before preparing for a dinner party.”
“Sunday morning is for a good sleep-in and bacon and eggs rolls off the barbecue. Then, an easy drive home perhaps with a stop in the Blue Mountains for a late lunch on the way home.”
The nightly rate at Sunvale starts at $1575, with a two-night minimum stay required. Turon Gates also has cabins and cottages ranging from one bedroom to four, glamping tents and campsites.
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