It's more accessible than glamorous, but the waterfront accommodation at Holiday Haven Lake Conjola will still scratch the luxury getaway itch. After a quick pound down the Princes Highway for around three hours, a right into the perfectly named Lake Conjola Entrance Road and after a few winding, scenic kilometres you’re there. The end of the road is where you’ll find this quiet holiday park embedded into the glistening meeting of saltwater and the lake.
Glamping at Lake Conjola comes courtesy of the park’s two safari tents. Elevated from the ground and furnished up the wazoo, the lodging has all of the mod-cons (including a television and microwave) but with the added bonus of those camping desirables like the sound of pattering rain on canvas and zippable window breezes. There’s a small kitchenette and basic utensils, but you’ll most likely be cooking your dinner on a shared outdoor barbecue close to the water’s edge, surrounded by chilled kangaroos.
Unlike more romantic glamping packages these tents have space for four people; there's a comfortable queen bed joined by a double bunk bed, which is perfect for families or small groups. The safari tents also come with fresh towels and linen, and the shower is so good one of our campers was overcome with lust for its water pressure.
Found metres away from the estuary shoreline, the safari tents have a privacy that makes you forget you’re surrounded by other campers. From the deck you are met with a line of ghostly trees across the water and within sight are the white dunes of Conjola Beach and the craggy peak of Green Island. Time Out visited in a quieter season and had unfettered access to what is usually a kids' swimming area, or a quick hop down from the balcony and in you’re the crystalline waters of the lake’s salty mouth.
The prime activities of the area are gentle water sports; Holiday Haven Lake Conjola offers hire of canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for around $20 an hour. The winding waterways and mini islands are best explored afloat and you can have a leisurely paddle admiring the sealife and untarnished bushland. There’s also fishing, biking, pedal karting, and an excellent playground with a jumping ‘pillow’ that's all too enticing for adults.
Lake Conjola is found in a super quiet area with limited shops, and that’s what makes it ideal for a switched-off short getaway. There are a few surrounding activities if the weather takes a turn for the worst; try the retro bowling club or the nostalgic thrill of nearby Ulladulla Funland. Want to know more about the history of the area? The traditional owners of the land are the Yuin people and you can book a guided walk with Conjola Tours to learn more about the ancient landscape.