Winter camping at Selah Valley Estate: A guest’s POV.
The call of the mountains
Winter camping has a nostaligc tone; fires, food, and moonlight. Here’s the recent experience from two guests who stayed with us during school holidays.
My son (seven) and I (let’s say "forty‑something") are fair‑weather campers by default. Our usual escapes revolve around summer, surf, and sand somewhere along south‑east Queensland or northern NSW. But this time, we decided to do something different: a winter escape to the hinterland. And it couldn’t have been better.
There’s something special about packing the swag, loading up the ute and heading off with your kid for a night under the stars. Most trips, my seven-year-old son and I keep things coastal – a few nights here or there at the beach, somewhere in South East Queensland or Northern NSW. It’s easy, it’s warm, it’s what we know.
But every now and then, it pays to break the routine.
This winter, we decided to swap the surf for the mountains and headed inland to Sēlah Valley Estate – a luxury farm stay in Northern New South Wales that promises open space, postcard views and, as we discovered, a camping experience that’s hard to beat.
And yes – it turned out to be exactly what camping should be: spacious, quiet, beautiful... and best of all, no neighbours snoring two metres away.
Selah Valley Estate is a luxury farm stay with cabins, suites, and camping.
Getting to Sēlah Valley easily
From the Gold Coast, it’s about an hour and a bit to Selah Valley – if you time it right. Top tip for anyone with kids in the back: leave early to beat the M1 crawl around Burleigh and Tugun.
We headed down the M1, crossed the border, and turned off to Tweed Valley Way (40) at Chinderah. Before Murwillumbah, a sharp right onto Cane Rd had us winding through pretty countryside, the road framed by fields and hills. GPS does the heavy lifting here – just point it to Youngs Road and follow the signs.
As we got closer, the boy happily ditched the Nintendo Switch when reception disappeared, and the scenery took over. Mt Warning and the border ranges rising in the late afternoon sun is something else – a proper “dad, look at that” moment.
At Chillingham (by the way, grab a sausage roll here on the way home), a left turn over the Rous River bridge and suddenly it felt like the adventure was really starting.
If you come the way we did, keep your eyes peeled: the Sēlah Valley sign is a small black one on the right. Miss it, and you’ll be doubling back.
Space, silence and sky
And then the road turned to dirt, the phone signal dropped to zero, and we knew we were finally away.
Now, I’ll be honest – we like camping, but we’re not hardcore minimalists. The idea of dozens of tents packed side by side, all sharing the same bathroom block soundtrack, has lost its shine. What we want is space. Quiet. Maybe a few animals to keep the boy entertained. And a proper fire.
Sēlah Valley nails it.
There are two camping areas: Hidden Creek, which has a handful of creekside sites (each with their own fire pit) – and Mt View, up on the hillside with, you guessed it, knockout views of Mt Warning.
Hidden Creek has camp sites nestled within the creek flowing through Selah Valley Estate.
We’d booked Mt View. A short climb up the dirt track (you’ll want a 4WD) and we opened out onto our own private patch of hillside. The only other campsite nearby was at least 500 metres away. That sense of privacy, of having the valley to ourselves, is something you just don’t get at most campgrounds.
Within minutes, we had the swag rolled out, chairs set up, and a ‘son-downer’ (juice for him, something a bit stronger for dad) in hand to watch the sun drop behind the ridge.
Mt View has two camp sites, both with stunning views of Mt Warning down through Selah Valley.
Fire, damper and real food
Sēlah Valley sets you up right. Each campsite has a built-in fire pit, complete with swinging grill and flat plate. None of the old rusty drum or concrete ring you’ll find at most holiday parks. It’s a small detail, but it changes the whole feel – it makes it easy to cook something decent, and it looks good too.
We’d arranged firewood delivery, which was handy. But next time, I’d bring our own. A couple of bags loaded at home will keep your campfire burning strong into the night.
A few minutes later, we had flames dancing, smoke drifting and sausages sizzling.
Dinner was simple but felt special: flatbread warmed on the grill, wagyu sausages, and some soft peppered goat’s cheese to finish. Eating outside, under a sky so clear you can see the moon rising over the range – it beats any restaurant.
And yes, the boy was out cold about two hours earlier than normal. Something about fresh air, campfires and running around a hillside does the trick.
Campfire recipe: quick damper mix
- 500 g plain flour
- A few teaspoons of salt
- The same of sugar
- Splash of olive oil
- Enough water to form dough
Knead lightly, flatten, and cook on the grill over your fire pit. Enough to last two meals.
Add good sausages and peppered goat’s cheese, and it feels five‑star without fuss.
Screen‑free days and quiet mornings
There’s barely a bar of phone reception up top – a blessing.
Morning at Sēlah Valley starts slow. The sun coming through the gum trees, the dew burning off the grass, the first birds stirring. We got the fire going again and made flat damper for breakfast, dipping chunks into the leftover goat’s cheese and olive oil.
The campsite itself is big, grassy and flat – easy for kids to ride a bike around, kick a ball or just explore without bumping into the neighbours (because there aren’t any close by).
After breakfast, we wandered. The boy found goats to pat, chickens to chase, and the “Fluffy Butt Hut” where you might score some fresh eggs if you’re up early. There’s also a walk up to the rock pools if you feel like a stretch.
And everywhere you look, Mt Warning dominates the view. It’s the kind of backdrop that makes even a lazy morning feel memorable.
The gear we packed
For those wondering what makes winter camping comfortable:
- Swag & warm sleeping bags (rated for low temps)
- Camping chairs & table
- Headlamps & lantern
- Pre‑mixed damper ingredients
- Firewood (even if you order delivery, bring extra)
- Warm layers, beanies & gloves
- Compact camp grill & utensils
- Water & snacks
- First aid kit – for the just in case
- A sense of humour
Sēlah provides fire pits and level sites, so you don’t need fancy gear – just basics and an appetite for slowing down.
Why Selah Valley works for Winter Camping
Camping is meant to be simple: open space, fresh air, a good fire and time together. But too often these days, you end up crammed into tiny sites, listening to strangers snore through thin tent walls.
Sēlah Valley is different. It’s camping, but with breathing room. It’s not ‘glamping’ – you still need to bring your own setup – but the luxury here is space and silence. And those million-dollar views.
For dads and sons, it’s the perfect quick escape. A place to build a fire, cook dinner under the stars and tell stories without screens. For mums and dads with younger kids, there’s plenty of space to ride bikes, visit animals and safely explore. And for families wanting a digital detox, the no-reception zone is a feature, not a bug.
We only stayed one night. Big mistake. The right move would have been two or even three – enough time to fully slow down, to really settle in and feel the rhythm of the valley.
Final thoughts
If you’re thinking about a camping trip to Sēlah Valley Estate, here are a few quick tips from our stay:
Leave early to beat M1 traffic.
Bring your own firewood – you’ll want a fire, winter or summer.
A 4WD is required for the Mt View sites (worth it for the view).
Keep food simple but special – a good camp dinner feels like five-star dining when the setting is this good.
Book at least two nights – trust me on this.
The essence of Sēlah Valley
Sēlah Valley really does live up to its name: to pause, to reflect. It’s the rare kind of place that forces you to slow down. Where the biggest decisions are what to cook on the fire and whether to walk to the rock pools or just sit back and watch the valley change colour as the sun moves across the sky.
We’ll be back – next time, for longer.
If you’ve been thinking about trying camping away from the coast, away from the crowds, and closer to what it’s really meant to be, do it. Pack the swag, grab the kids, and point the car south.
And when you’re sitting there by the fire, watching the moon rise over Mt Warning, you’ll know you made the right call.