THREE of Reflections Holidays' most popular coastal parks have "gone safari", with Bonny Hills, Lennox Heads and Seal Rocks installing stylish new glamping safari tents, many with baths and barbeques on their decks for the ultimate outdoor holiday experience.
The investment of more than $2 million was assisted by a loan to Reflections by the New South Wales government through Crown Lands, to support regional tourism and communities.
The unique accommodation is an example of Reflections Holiday's profit for purpose model as a certified social enterprise, under which it reinvests profit back into the properties and reserves it operates in coastal and inland NSW.
Reflections' strategy is to offer a range of accommodation for guests - from off grid and powered sites for 'true' campers, economy cabins for those seeking affordability and chic tiny homes and premium cabins for those after something more special.
At Reflections Bonny Hills, five safari glamping tents and four junior safari tents are being installed.
Made from premium weather-proof canvas and featuring eco-friendly timber decks, each safari tent accommodates four people, with a kitchen, bathroom, and a deck with an outdoor bath, bench seating to enjoy the views of nature, and a barbeque. The safari tents are elevated above the ground to ensure minimal impact to the landscape. The junior safari tents are perfect for couples and solo travellers and feature a luxurious queen bed and swinging seat for two on the deck.
Just up the highway at Reflections Lennox Heads, four new safari tents have been installed, complete with the free-standing claw foot baths, deck entertaining area and barbeques. Four existing safari tents have also been refurbished.
At Reflections Seal Rocks, about two hours north of Newcastle, two huge safari tents known as luxury lodges, both sleeping six people and perfect for group bookings, are being installed in September. Nestled on the highest point of the park, with ocean and nature views, the luxury lodges have two bedrooms (one with a queen bed, the other with bunks sleeping four), kitchenette and bathroom, with a expansive deck featuring sustainable bamboo screens and benches. All of the glamping tents have eco anchors, using steel piers, removing the need for concrete footings.
Reflections CEO Nick Baker said the glamping safari tents were designed to blend into their environment and featured luxe touches - from the baths and bars and entertaining area on the front decks, to the simple but stylish interiors - which were popular with guests seeking a relaxed but sophisticated stay.
"Our safari glamping tents are a unique experience for guests who want to try something different to their usual cabin or tent experience. Our glamping tents have all the feeling of a tent from the outside but are super comfortable inside, and they really blend into their natural environment," Mr Baker said.
Reflections Holidays is a Crown Land manager which reinvests profit into its 40 holiday parks, camping grounds and unique accommodation, and the 45 nature reserves in its care across New South Wales. It is the only adventure-based holiday park group in Australia that is a certified social enterprise and measures its success on its financial, environmental, cultural and social performance.
