Those who like their summer nights served with a dash of spectacle, preferably celestial, will find Mayfield Garden preparing quite the January treat. The renowned Oberon estate, already a drawcard for travellers who prefer their nature experience dressed with a bit of polish, has announced a stargazing program that pairs luxury glamping with the kind of skies city folk can only dream about.
Between 5 and 9 January 2026, guests booking a glamping tent at Mayfield will be handed something relatively rare these days: unfiltered access to the heavens, guided by expert astronomers and supported by high-powered equipment. Better still, it comes at no additional cost.
Mayfield Garden spokesman Chris Muldoon assures guests they’re in for something remarkable.
“This is an amazing opportunity to connect the breathtaking beauty of nature at Mayfield with the astounding wonders that lie in the skies above us,” he said.
He notes that regional Australia’s great, unsung luxury remains its skies.
“One of the great joys of coming to regional Australia is the clearer skies, which means brighter stars and a clearer view of constellations, the moon, and other planets.
“We are making the experience even more spectacular at Mayfield this summer by providing both high-powered telescopes and the knowledge of expert operators.”
In partnership with Red Lantern Stargazing, a boutique operator known for intimate astronomy encounters, Mayfield’s glamping guests will be led through a curated night sky experience designed to charm even those who struggle to tell Orion from a streetlight.
Founder Blake North says visitors should expect far more than a glance through a telescope.
“Every session at Mayfield will be guided by passionate astronomy hosts who blend science, storytelling, and a relaxed atmosphere to create a night that is equal parts educational and unforgettable.
“Guests enjoy high quality telescopes, laser guided tours of the sky, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions while discovering the beauty of Australia’s dark skies,” he said.
According to North, Mayfield’s location gives it something of an astronomical head start.
“The Mayfield stargazing sessions will be especially magical thanks to the Oberon region’s low light pollution and sweeping rural horizons, whilst January is also one of the best months to visit as the summer sky puts on an incredible show.”
For those considering a school-holiday jaunt, the numbers remain reassuringly straightforward. Stargazing is included for all couples and families booking a glamping tent between Monday, 5 January and Friday, 9 January.
The glamping package – $475 per couple – includes:
• A night in a luxurious glamping tent
• A three-course dinner in Mayfield’s acclaimed regional restaurant
• Two-day admission to the estate’s sprawling 65-hectare garden
Additional children can join for $105 each, making the experience accessible for families keen to introduce the sky’s brightest treasures to curious young minds.
With summer holidays often dominated by crowds and queues, Mayfield is banking on something refreshingly old-fashioned: the pleasure of slowing down under a country sky. And given the calibre of the telescopes being rolled out, guests may discover new favourites beyond the Southern Cross.
For bookings, details and inspiration, visit: www.mayfieldgarden.com.au/glamping.
by Octavia Koo – (c) 2025
Read Time: 3 minutes.
About the Writer
Indonesian-born Octavia Koo arrived in Australia in the early 1980s, drawn by the creative promise of Sydney and a place at UNSW, where she studied Arts and soon discovered her flair for visual storytelling. She began as a graphic designer, quickly turning her sharp eye for detail towards the digital frontier, designing websites and crafting polished descriptions that draw people in—and keep them reading.
Her next chapter took her to Singapore, where she built and managed blogs for several tourism platforms, uncovering a natural gift for SEO long before the term became fashionable. There, amid the buzz of ITB Asia, she met Stephen, who suggested she consider Global Travel Media. A few years later, she did just that.
Now part of GTM’s editorial family, Octavia brings a quiet brilliance to her work. She merges art, technology, and intuition to tell travel stories that charm and perform, much like their author.
