I've seen Turon Gates all over my social media, so when I got the chance to stay at their luxury lodge, Sunvale, I metaphorically jumped at the opportunity.

Turon Gates is about a 3-hour drive from Sydney and is set deeper in the Blue Mountains, the town of Capertree. This is personally my favorite part of the Blue Mountains and will be for you too if you prefer quieter, more expansive access to nature. The drive can take you through the more 'traditional' Blue Mountains of Katoomba and Leura, or if you're feeling like a change of scenery, the route via Bilpin is often overlooked but, in my opinion, more scenic.

Once we pulled into Turon Gates, we got a really good idea of what to expect from our stay: stunning bush, pristine riverways, and nature everywhere. If you've followed my previous stories, you'll know that my favorite part of any stay is the moment you open the front door - and Sunvale delivered a full punch of awe. You have to experience it to fully appreciate it.

With a wood-fired hot tub, Samsung Frame TV, four bedrooms, hammock, huge space for entertaining, and vast nature in all directions, you have no reason to leave the lodge. But if you do fancy a bit of adventure, Turon Gates offers horse riding, kayaking, bush walks, and like-minded enthusiasts, none more so than the team who run Turon Gates: Michael, Alex, Soren, and Sonya's son. I cannot recommend Sunvale, and the wider Turon Gates, enough.