From Manila to Capertee Valley
A story of discovery, wonder, and healing.
I am from the Philippines and had the pleasure of spending time at Wildnest Farmstay in the Capertee Valley this October, a visit I was fortunate to be invited to by Claire and Peter. I was breathtaken, amazed, and still in awe. When making plans, I knew I was going to stay in the largest canyon in the world, but I was never prepared for what I was going to experience.
The drive to Wildnest was somehow gradually making an intro for what you will be in for. If it weren’t rows of gum trees on either side of your car, it’s stunning sceneries of the Australian country. Upon entering the property, you can’t help but slow the drive down to appreciate what you are being welcomed to. Cattle and horses in their own paddocks, the mist in the air as you traverse the country road, the sound of serenity, and the cool breeze of a place that is new to you yet somehow feels so familiar. We just soaked it all in.
Imagine having the best vistas of Pantoneys Crown right inside your luxury tent and marvelling at the escarpment that envelopes you. The views will definitely make you stop in your tracks, but the feeling of being there was a different story, immersion in nature at its finest.
For a little over two years, the closest I’d been to Wildnest was through photos, videos, and stories. Now I have my own to share.
When they say 5-star amenities, they were not kidding. Every detail was well thought out as if Claire and Peter lived the experience before they pieced all the elements of the stay together. Bed as if you were sleeping on clouds, every corner was squeaky clean, amenities generously topped up, welcome treats delicious, fully equipped small kitchen, our own ensuite that has a rain shower, proper toilet and nature-friendly products, BBQ, fridge, record player, books, indoor fireplace - everything was provided! It’s like being in a hotel and more while you feel completely at home and witnessing nature all around you with the flaps of the tent fully unzipped for the full experience.
And it’s true what I’ve read in guests’ reviews - being there makes you feel like you never want to leave! I was there, and their voices lingered - a mum of six who finally had a weekend to pause; a couple in their first month of retirement, relishing their first adventure in years; a daughter who’d had the best time with her mum after being apart for so long.
I get them. Something in me was restored too.
The sunsets were phenomenal. The escarpment changed hues signalling nightfall. And the skies at night? I don’t remember seeing stars as clear as they have shone from the property! It was peaceful, warm, and perfect.
Wildnest reminded me how meaningful it can be to simply pause and be present in nature. It wasn’t just the stunning views or the luxury of the stay, it was the feeling of calm that came with it. With only two tents set across a 100 acre property, each designed to host just two guests, the experience feels deeply personal and private. Wildnest does that so effortlessly, and it made me appreciate not only the beauty of the Capertee Valley but also the care that has gone into creating a space that honours both people and the land. It’s a place that reminds you that nature isn’t something to be taken for granted. It deserves to be preserved, respected, and cared for, so that others can also experience this kind of gift.
My first trip out of the country ended on a very happy note, and I am writing this from a place of gratitude.
