Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Blue Mountains

Huddled away in the misty Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Spicers Sangoma is an African safari camp inspired retreat. An intimate experience, it’s expanding from just five suites. As such, it will be closed from mid-February to August 2016. 

Location

Located just over an hour from Sydney, this idyllic retreat is located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and is designed to be as immersive as possible. Surrounded on all sides by lush flora and fauna, guests are invited to explore the locale at their own pace on tracks that take them through the property and beyond into the nearby national park. 

Accommodation

As an eco-certified retreat, Spicers Sangoma is constructed from natural materials so as to appear to be an extension of the environment. The canvas tent suite overlooks the forest canopy and opens up onto a private deck with sunbeds and a fireplace. To drive home the company’s eco-credentials, the en suite bathroom uses harvested rainwater to fuel the open plan shower and two-person Philippe Starck bathtub. Roll up the tent-style doors to get that next step closer to nature. The other suites, while similarly laid out, have a wooden construction. Finally, the Chief’s Suite is built across two levels for unparalleled views and has a private plunge pool.

Dining

The menu at Spicers Sangoma is inspired by locally sourced, organic produce. Guests are offered a four-course menu that changes nightly based on seasonal ingredients available from local farmers. Head chef Sam Hardinge trained under the acclaimed Michael Jaggard and is highly proficient in a number of culinary styles. As such, expect rich and varied dishes that bring out the best in the region’s excellent local produce. In the summer, guests can dine on the verandah under the stars where in the colder winter they can roast marshmallows on an open-pit fire.

Facilities

If you can tear yourself away the intimate comfort and spectacular views of your lodgings, there’s plenty to entertain you both onsite and off. Spend the day going horse or bike riding, kayaking or fruit picking and your evening in the Spa Anise where your massage comes with an all-natural soundtrack provided by the forest. Alternatively, guests can relax by doing laps in the infinity pool or simply unwind in the lounge’s honour bar complete with an open fireplace.