12 May 2025
BUBBLETENT AUSTRALIA 2.0: THE MOST LUXE WAY TO SLEEP UNDER THE STARS
A revolving bed that converts into a ping-pong table, an eco-friendly flushing toilet and a rain shower in a bubbletent complex overlooking the world’s second-largest canyon? It’s a dazzling reality when you check into Bubbletent Australia’s two new off-grid tents.
When Bubbletent Australia launched three tents – named Virgo, Leo and Cancer – on the edge of the Capertee Valley in NSW in 2017, it took glamping to new heights. The latest additions to the off-grid portfolio are even more breathtaking: welcome to Pisces and Ophiuchus.
Introducing Pisces and Ophiuchus
Set on an opposite ridge to the existing three Bubbletents, Pisces and Ophiuchus are as remote as they are ravishing. Both face east over the Capertee, so you can wake up to an end-of-Earth sunrise – Ophiuchus (named after the 13th sign of the zodiac) has the added bonus of also capturing the last rays of the day from an elevated treehouse. Pisces, meanwhile, comes with a netted bed strung between three trees – think catamaran vibes, in the bush.
Each of the new tents is substantially bigger than their existing sisters, with the focal point being a queen bed that rotates at two speeds at the press of a button. Which means you can doze off while gently revolving to a swirl of stars overhead. Pull out floorchairs to skate around your bed; when you find the perfect perch, you can also pull out a dining table replete with its own romantic lighting and hidden contraptions - in-bed wine cellar, anyone?
You won’t want to tear yourself away, so it’s a good thing the bed also comes with built-in tea nooks and breakfast trays, and can be converted into a ping-pong table when it’s time to finally rise.
Elevated privacy
Pisces and Ophiuchus are totally private, which means you can – should you wish – wander naked to your separate bathroom pods; both the rain shower and eco-friendly, Japanese flushing toilet are located in adjoining recycled concrete pipes, and both are topped with transparent domes. You literally can’t escape the stars. Open the shower doors and it feels like you’re bathing in nature; wash your hands after the loo and your water is used as the flushing mechanism.
The other way to soak is in the Swedish wood-fired hot tub, set alfresco under native trees. The perfect perch to end the day with a glass of local bubbles in hand.
Fire it up!
Like their sisters, Pisces and Ophiuchus make the most of their scenic settings. When you’re not rotating in bed, life revolves around the firepit and dreamy outdoor sofa, optimising those Capertee Valley views.
When it comes time to dine, the two new tents are equipped with an all-weather outdoor Bushbuck kitchen station – a wooden tilt-door that doubles up as an awning when it opens to reveal a bar fridge, gas burner and rotisserie, pizza stones and every other piece of crockery you need to whip up a feast; or prepare an indulgent charcuterie board. When it’s time to ease into the evening, make the most of the popcorn maker, sandwich press and marshmallows; when you wake, coffee and a sliced-bread toaster await to be placed over your fire.
All in the details
Every luxury has been thought of to make your stay comfortable, from the organic cotton linens and Australian woollen blankets to the elimination of single-use plastics and natural bathroom amenities. But the idea here is not to spotlight the fine print – the brands. At Bubbletent, the experience is all about focusing on the setting and the person you’re with, not the luxury labels.
Other thoughtful touches include USB charging stations, cosy slippers and outdoor slip-on shoes, rechargeable lanterns and a speaker – the latter you’ll want to make the most of while listening to curated stargazing tunes on your in-bubble iPad.
Reading the stars: astrotourism on the rise
As incredible as the facilities are in Pisces and Ophiuchus, the real scene-stealer is your location. In this part of the state there’s no light pollution – no cars, no streetlights, no skyscrapers. Which means you’re in for some seriously dazzling stargazing. If you’ve ever wanted to feel insignificant – in the best possible way – you’ve come to the right place.
Like the existing three tents, the two new offerings tap into the night sky, featuring telescopes so you can gaze at the Milky Way from the comfort of your tent. Or, just lie back and watch the galaxies swirl while your bed rotates in sync to pre-loaded tunes on your in-bubble iPad, which also comes with the Luminos stargazing app. It will blow your mind, giving you a virtual tour of the solar system and beyond.
And prepare to have your mind blown even further with Bubbletent Australia’s future plans for stargazing tours in a purpose-built facility. And yes, there are more rotating discs for sky lovers to sit back in while soaking in the heavens above through entertaining guided experiences.
Sustainability from the ground up
It’s a little-known fact that the Capertee Valley is the second-largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the US. It’s a pretty special pocket of NSW, as fragile as it is fantastic. It’s so untouched that it has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA), home to a third of all Australia’s bird species. If you’re not waking up to the sun, your alarm clock will likely be a cacophony of feathered friends.
Needless to say, Bubbletent Australia is intent on protecting this paradise, adopting an ISO-accredited environmental management system that allows it to operate fully off-grid, and with minimal impact to the environment. Think solar power, the elimination of single-use plastics and biodegradable wrappings.
Also added to Pisces and Ophiuchus is a cutting-edge geothermal system used to power the tents’ reverse-cycle air-conditioning, harnessing energy from the soil. It took some 3.5 years to work out an eco-friendly solution to keep guests in these tents cool, and required laying 1.2 kilometres of polypipes to generate the required heat exchange per tent.
Watch this space…
Bubbletent Australia is planning eight additional tents like Pisces and Ophiuchus in the near future. But more than that, it’s also tapping into the trend of astrotourism with a jaw-dropping new facility designed to maximise the brightness of the Capertee heavens – and enlighten you on the stories behind them in an entertaining way. Stay tuned for news later this year…
Editor’s Note:
Bubbletent Australia launched in the Capertee Valley region of NSW in 2017, setting up three transparent tents – Virgo, Cancer and Leo – around 220 kilometres northwest of Sydney on the western verge of the Blue Mountains. In 2025 they’re joined by luxurious new Pisces and Ophiuchus, now open for bookings here.
Diversions in the region range from hiking into the Capertee Valley or over the Bubbletent property itself to birdwatching (binoculars and maps provided), helicopter and wine tours, abseiling, canoeing and fishing.
While the exact location of the Bubbletent site is a secret until you book, it’s close to popular culinary hotspots including Rylstone, Mudgee and Orange.
Media images can be found here.
Media contact:
Natasha Dragun
natasha@freelancemediasolutions.com
+61 450 310 024