Bell Tent Diaries | The Canopy by Huch: Glamping Beneath a Barn Roof in Wollombi
A canvas tent beneath the roof of a historic barn is an unexpected idea for a glamping stay. At The Canopy by Huch, it creates an intimate retreat where guests can sleep under canvas, cook and dine in the open air, and sink into a wood-fired hot tub while looking out across the fields and bushland of Wollombi.
The barn has a story of its own. According to Huch, the local community built it more than 20 years ago to host music festivals on the property. When the team transformed it into accommodation, they sought to retain as much of the original structure as possible while keeping the views to the north and west uninterrupted. The result brings the building’s past and its new purpose together with a quiet sense of character.
Beneath the roof sit two spacious canvas glamping tents, one with a king bed and the other with a queen. A raised timber floor connects the spaces beneath the canopy, creating an easy flow between sleeping, dining and relaxing. Guests can prepare meals in the covered oak kitchen and dine overlooking the valley and surrounding bush, while an indoor kitchen, laundry and bathroom ensure the practical comforts of home are always close at hand.
Those comforts are thoughtfully woven into an off-grid design. The Canopy runs on solar power and collects rainwater for drinking, bathing and washing. Electric blankets add warmth on cooler nights, while a hot shower and flushing toilet bring welcome everyday convenience. Outside, a daybed offers a peaceful spot to stretch out with a book, and the fire pit and wood-fired hot tub set the scene for long, unhurried evenings beneath the stars.
There is plenty to explore beyond the barn, too. Huch describes 17 acres of surrounding land where guests can wander through the property and watch for wildlife near the brook. Wollombi Village is around a 20-minute walk away, with cafés, a country pub and nearby vineyards offering plenty of reasons to venture further through the Lower Hunter. Then again, there is something appealing about staying exactly where you are, with a glass in hand and the view unfolding from the hot tub.
The Canopy is a thoughtful example of what glamping can be. By placing canvas tents within a structure already tied to the property’s history, Huch has created a stay with a character all its own: open to the landscape, comfortable across the seasons and designed for slow mornings, lingering evenings and time spent simply enjoying the setting.
