Thou Walla Sunset Retreat is a new luxury glamping venue in Port Stephens.

Pronounced ‘Dha Walla’, the site features ten private elevated safari-style tents that sit atop engineered floating decks set within landscaped tropical gardens.

Each tent features a king-size bed, armchairs, flat screen TV/DVD, free WiFi, refrigerator, electric fire, tea/coffee making facilities, ensuite with a rain shower and self-composting toilet and private timber decks with modern daybeds, where guests can enjoy the tranquil views and sunsets over the bay.

Thou Walla has a resort-style swimming pool, barbecue facilities, a tennis court, boat hire and a massage therapist. In addition to the ten glamping tents, the resort also offers 34 luxury self-contained villas and cottages set amidst landscaped gardens, with a choice of headland or water views. These are set apart from the glamping tents.

There are two waterfront restaurants just a minute’s stroll from Thou Walla Sunset Retreat at the Soldier’s Point Marina – The Deck Café/Restaurant and Bar and the award-winning Point Restaurant. Guests can also dine at the nearby Soldiers Point Bowling Club, Shoreline Steakhouse or take a short drive to the Salamander Bay Shopping Centre or Nelson Bay, where there are a number of eateries.

In terms of local attractions and activities, there is dolphin and whale watching, horse or camel riding, boating, diving, fishing, swimming or surfing.

The more adventurous can visit The Worimi Conservation Lands (Stockton Bight Sand Dunes), an area that covers 4,200 hectares and can be explored by quad bike, four-wheel-drive tours or ‘surfing’ down the sand dunes on a sandboard.

Thou Walla is a Worimi word that means ‘meeting or gathering place’. The Worimi are the traditional owners of the land and have lived in and around the area for centuries. Thou Walla and its surrounds have been declared an ‘Aboriginal Place’, which recognises and legally protects its Aboriginal cultural heritage in New South Wales.

Specialising in smaller corporate retreats for up to 20 people, Thou Walla can offer expo, convention and large event space within the Thou Walla Community Hall, which has the capacity to seat 180 guests.