Glamping for Families at the Iluka Retreat, Mornington Peninsula
The perfect Glamping getaway for families! Immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the serenity, glamping with the family at the Iluka Retreat and Camp on the Mornington Peninsula. This 36 acre private property, just 80 minutes from Melbourne, is the perfect setting for those who want to go camping in a nature setting, without the stress of bringing your camping gear. We have been a couple of times over the past few years with our kids and absolutely love this place. Check out our review of the Iluka Retreat below.
Glamping at the Iluka Retreat
Camping is great fun for the whole family, it gives you a chance to spend some away from the hustle and bustle, and get back to basics and close to nature. But not everyone has all the camping gear, and not everyone is up for lugging all of the gear along, and setting it up. That’s why we love glamping! Where it is all done for you, but you still feel like you are camping!
Iluka Retreat & Camp provides a bespoke glamping experience all year round, and has everything ready for you on arrival. We have been with our kids twice over the past few years, in Winter the first time, and most recently over the summer holidays.
The bell tent was all set up with chairs and a fire pit waiting to be lit on arrival so, all we needed was your overnight bag, and we were good to go.
Iluka Retreat & Camp
Iluka Retreat is a stunning camp ground with rolling hills overlooking a wetland lake, surrounded by trees filled with the sounds of singing birds.
Set on a private property on the stunning Mornington Peninsula, it has prime position being just a short walk from the area’s most popular wineries, restaurants, and most beautiful beaches in the area.
The Iluka Retreat itself though, is all about slowing down, and enjoying the serenity.
It isn’t a busy holiday park. In fact, each of the glamping tents, and other accommodation is quite a distance from the next, so you don’t really hear any tents zipping up in the night time, or too much noise during the day.
Iluka Retreat Glamping Tents for Families
The bell tents at the Iluka Retreat are lovely and fit 4 people comfortably, with a queen bed, and 2 foam mattresses. You will find them all set up with fresh linen, cushions, towels, rugs, woollen blankets and hot water bottles for winter time.
The sites are unpowered, so it really is just like you are camping, just without the stress of bringing everything with you.
You are provided with a lantern for the evening for light, and you can also choose to hire a fire pit which I highly recommend as this is where we hung out during the evenings roasting our marshmallows, the highlight for our kids!
The first time we visited, we stayed two nights mid July, and yes it was freezing! Our most recent trip was in December, and much warmer. Both times though we had a great experience, so it really depends on what you like.
During the day we did some activities with the kids such as visiting the farm, Ashcomb Maze, and trying out some chocolate and ice-cream at the nearby Chocolaterie. The afternoons and evening we relaxed, went on nature walks and explored the property.
It got dark quite early in the winter so we went on night walks with our torches, we star gazed on the deck listening to the frogs and birds, and roasted lots of marshmallows sitting around the fire telling stories and playing games.
It can get quite cold in the evenings obviously, but if you come prepared, with warm clothing it’s fine. We had enough blankets to keep us warm in the tent, and the hot water bottles were the perfect addition. On our summer trip we didn’t even need jackets, it was really warm!
The retreat is beautiful on winter mornings with the mist and fog falling over the lake, and the evenings are stunning watching the sun set from the deck of the tent.
Iluka Retreat Facilities
A short walk from the Glamping tents, you can find a shared camp kitchen with cooking facilities and fridges. Outside there are BBQ’s to use with chairs and tables, so you can eat outside when the weather is nice.
There is no food available to buy on the property, so your options are either to cook for yourselves, or there are plenty of eateries within a short walk or drive.
Next door there is also a common room with a cosy fireplace so if you do get cold, or just want to socialise, that is the place to go.
The toilets and showers are in the same block and all of this is within a 2min walk from the glamping area.
Details
Address:
Iluka Retreat, 20 Shoreham Rd, Shoreham VIC
Booking Info
Things to do on the Mornington Peninsula
If you are looking for things to do on the Mornington Peninsula with kids, you really are spoilt for choice. Within a short walk you can find Shoreham and Point Leo beaches, as well as the Ashcomb Maze and Lavender Gardens.
Within a 15minute drive you have Arthurs Seat Eagle cable cart and the Enchanted Adventure Garden for an adventure day out. Rain Hayne and Shine Farmyard is also 15 minutes away, and a further 10 minutes there is Dinosaur World.
In 30 minutes you can be at the Peninsula Hot Springs which is definitely worth a visit if you are visiting in the colder months. See our full post: Things to do Mornington Peninsula for more ideas.
Things to do in Melbourne with Kids
The Iluka Retreat & Camp is a fantastic option for family accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula. If you are wanting to take the family Glamping near Melbourne, consider it for your next weekend getaway. See also our post on Glamping in the Yarra Valley.
For more things to do in Melbourne for families, take a look at our Melbourne for Kids post and join our Facebook Group: Melbourne for Kids – What’s On.
*Please check the Iluka Retreat website for up to date info. MLE were invited as guests at the Iluka Retreat & Camp, however all opinions are our own.
