The Ark is located in Purau Bay on Diamond Harbour, only a 45-minute drive to Christchurch City.
When owners, Steve and Wendy purchased an overgrown piece of land on the edge of the harbour, they were surprised to find the wooden hull of an old boat buried beneath the tangled blackberry. This provided the inspiration for what is now 'The Ark' - an off-grid, land-based Ark-style cabin - sitting 15 metres from the edge of the water.
The Ark consists of a simple one-room cabin with a queen-size bed, a kitchen and a seating area with an eco bio-fuel pot belly fire. The toilet is a separate building a few steps from the cabin door. The shower and bath are both outdoors - perfect for soaking up the views and those 'camping' vibes.
If the ocean is where you find peace, you will love the outlook from the Ark. Watch the comings and goings of the boats and the action of the busy harbour while you enjoy a coffee on the deck. A two-minute walk down the steps takes you to your own piece of the bay, perfect for that morning dip!
Breathe in the fresh sea air and enjoy the simple and relaxing life of off-grid living. Wake to the sunrise reflecting off the water - and go to sleep with the sound of the waves lapping at the rocks below.
FROM $345 p/n
Dogs welcome
A $50 Single Night Surcharge applies on top of the nightly rate when booking a single night. You will need to add this charge during the booking process. The calendar below will specify where one-night bookings are allowed.
92 Purau Avenue, Diamond Harbour 8972
The Ark is located in Purau Bay on Diamond Harbour, Banks Peninsula. It's only a 45-minute drive from Christchurch City.
The Google Maps directions to the address are accurate but note that there are very specific instructions to access the property. It's recommended to back down the driveway due to the steep nature of the track and limited visibility when you exit the property.
You will receive a pre-arrival email with detailed arrival instructions and your host's details 5-days prior to your stay.
Note: If you have booked within 5 days and haven't received a pre-arrival email shortly after booking, please email us at [email protected].
Check-in: 2pm
Check-out: 10:30am
The Ark has a queen-size bed at one end of the cabin.
Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied.
The sheets are 100% cotton and bamboo blend. Extra quilt blankets and wool rugs are also available.
The kitchen is inside the one-room cabin. There is a 2-burner gas hob for cooking, a small under-bench gas fridge with a freezer compartment, and a toaster. There is a push button generator that you'll need to use when using the toaster.
Some pantry basics are supplied - olive oil, salt, pepper, tea bags, plunger cover, sugar, margarine, honey and jam.
The toilet is located a few steps from the entrance of the Ark. It consists of a pleasant-to-use composting toilet and vanity. There is an outdoor shower approximately 10 metres from the Ark entrance and a beautiful outdoor bath just past that.
Towels, shower, and bath soap are provided.
The Ark is fully off-grid with a solar system providing lighting and USB points to charge devices. While there should be plenty of power for lighting during your stay, you will need to conserve to avoid running out.
There is a push button generator for use when high-draw appliances, like the toaster, are in use.
Spark and Skinny have fair reception but Vodafone reception can be patchy.
Devices can be charged inside via power sockets.
There is an eco-biofuel potbelly stove inside The Ark for use during the cooler months.
Extra blankets are also provided.
The Ark is strictly no smoking - both inside and outside.
No, due to the fire risk in this region, there are no outdoor fires allowed at The Ark.
Also, please note that smoking is not allowed at the ark - either inside or outside.
The Ark is open for stays during winter, but bear in mind that you're booking an off-grid escape - without the usual luxuries of a fully powered home. Glamping is still a form of camping!
Note in particular that the Ark has an outdoor bathroom - with a shower and bath that are completely open to the weather.
If you book a stay in winter, bring your sense of adventure and be prepared for the elements!
The Ark is not suitable for children and is strictly adults-only. The one exception to this rule is for non-mobile babies under 6 months with BYO bedding and portacot. If you are bringing your non-mobile baby, you'll need to mention this in the comments box when you book.
If you're looking for a safe family-friendly glamping site, select the family icon in the search bar on our 'find your escape' page to easily find them.
Yes, your dog is welcome at The Ark but there are a few doggy rules, please see below:
The Ark is privately situated, but do note that it is set on the edge of a busy bay, with boats and harbour activity right on your doorstep (this will be busiest in the height of summer).
The coastal walk passes just below the Ark - and you may notice or hear the odd walker pass along it at various points in the day. Walkers can't see the Ark from the walkway.
The road around to Purau Bay borders the property but the Ark is set below the road so although you may hear the odd car go past, you won't see any traffic. There are a few houses on the other side of the bay in the distance and you may see their lights at night.
The Ark is accessed via a 20m driveway that slopes down the hill from the roadside.
It is advisable to pull off the road and back down the driveway in order to exit safely (forwards) when you leave. You will receive detailed instructions on how to spot the entrance to the property and the best way to access it in your pre-arrival email 5 days prior to your stay.
Once you park at the bottom of the driveway, you'll only be 10-20m or so away from the entrance to the Ark.
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and The Ark is no exception. Because of this, you may be exposed to various creatures and critters that you wouldn't usually find at your average hotel or motel.
The Ark is on a steep section on the harbours edge. Please be cautious when using the steps going down to the water and only swim if you are confident in the water.
Please take note of the arrival instructions for the Ark so that you back down the driveway on arrival. The property has a tricky exit with limited visibility and backing down will ensure you can safely exit the property by driving out forwards in your vehicle.
All Year Round:
There is a standard minimum stay period of 2 nights.
Single nights are only allowed where there is a one night gap between bookings. One night gaps between bookings will be made available to book online with a $50 Single Night Surcharge applicable.
Public Holiday Weekends:
The minimum booking period for long weekends such as Labour Weekend, Anniversary Weekend, etc is 3 nights. The minimum booking period for Easter is 4 nights. There are sometimes longer minimum stay periods across Christmas and New Year and these will be specified in the online availability calendar.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies for The Ark.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for The Ark.
All Year Round:
There is a standard minimum stay period of 2 nights.
Single nights are only allowed where there is a one night gap between bookings. One night gaps between bookings will be made available to book online with a $50 Single Night Surcharge applicable.
Public Holiday Weekends:
The minimum booking period for long weekends such as Labour Weekend, Anniversary Weekend, etc is 3 nights. The minimum booking period for Easter is 4 nights. There are sometimes longer minimum stay periods across Christmas and New Year and these will be specified in the online availability calendar.
Year round:
The nightly rate is $345 for up to two people.
Non-mobile infants under 6 months with their own portacot and bedding are free of charge.
Single Night Surcharge:
Where single nights are bookable (see Minimum Stay Periods) a Single Night Surcharge of $50 applies. Please apply this during the online booking process.
The Single Night Surcharge applies to all one night stays, even when there is only one night available. By their nature, glamping sites are more remote and time-consuming to service than more standard accommodation types. Therefore, in order to cover the costs and time involved, a Single Night Surcharge is applicable to all one night stays.
Give the gift of glamping! Gift Vouchers are available for use at any of our Canopy Camping Escapes glamping sites. These are provided in electronic format, for you to print out and pop in a greeting card for the lucky recipient. Read more about our gift vouchers, including how to purchase one, here.
2.1 If you book within 28 Days of your check-in time, full payment via credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) is required at the time of booking. If you book more than 28 Days prior to your check-in time, a deposit of 10% is required to confirm your booking and secure the property. This will be charged to your credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) at the time of booking. A credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payment surcharge of up to 2.5% will be applied to all credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payments.
2.2 Bookings are considered confirmed once you have made your online booking and payment and we have sent an email to the address provided to us which confirms both the payment and your booking details. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact us as soon as possible. However, we (as agent for the Host) reserve the right to cancel any booking within 12 Days of the confirmation email where we discover that you, or any of your guests, has previously breached these Booking Conditions in relation to a previous booking. In that case, you will receive an email advising you that the booking has been declined, and the full amount paid by you at the time of booking will be refunded to the credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) you provided during the booking process.
2.3 If you book more than 28 Days prior to your check-in time, the remaining balance of your stay will be due 28 Days prior to your check in time. An email reminder will be sent to you at this time requesting payment for the outstanding balance. The reminder email gives you the option to pay the remaining balance by A2A (Internet Banking) or credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard). If your payment has not been received within 24 hours, the remaining balance will automatically be charged to the credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) used at the time of booking. Please note: a 2.5% credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payment surcharge is applied to all payments made by credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard). Credit/Debit Card data is held in a secure and encrypted environment.
2.4 If any amount is not paid when due, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking will be cancelled.
3.1 Your 10% deposit (or 10% of the value of your stay if you have paid in full) is non-refundable, however it can be transferred to another booking made within 12 months of the date of confirmation of your original booking, if you cancel your stay more than 21 Days prior to your check-in time.
3.2 Cancellation or date changes by you that are between 3 and 21 Days prior to your check-in time will result in 50% of the total cost of your stay being charged. Cancellation or date changes made 3 Days (72 hours) or less prior to your check-in time will result in 100% of the total cost of your stay being charged.
3.3 Date changes made more than 21 Days prior to your check-in time are allowed without forfeit of any amounts paid.
3.4 Force Majeure
You are entitled to a full refund if you need to cancel for the following reasons:
Road closure. If at 1pm on the day before your arrival, a road on your route to your accommodation is designated by Waka Kotahi as closed or for essential travel only, and there is no detour, or the detour adds more than two hours to your travel according to the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.
Metservice RED Weather Warning. If at 1pm on the day before your arrival, the Metservice has issued a RED warning/forecast in either your home region or the region of your accommodation, for either the day of your arrival or departure.
Natural disasters in New Zealand. Natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and other severe and abnormal natural events causing large scale disruption of essential services and/or transport, specifically impacting your travel to or from your accommodation.
4.1 Exceptional or unforeseen circumstance
Hosts reserve the right to cancel a booking at any time in the event of exceptional or unforeseen circumstances. This right will only be exercised in good faith and in exceptional circumstances such as:
(a) Any alteration to the property or its surroundings which may pose a safety risk for the guest.
(b) Unexpected damage or destruction at the property.
(c) A death in the Host family.
(d) Our relationship with the Host ends for any other reason.
In the unlikely event a Host cancels under this clause, the guest may elect to receive a full refund or to credit the booking to another available date or Escape. The Host’s liability will be limited to the refund of amounts paid for any part of your stay that is cancelled.
4.2 Cancellation for breach
Hosts may terminate a booking at any time if they, or we, reasonably believe that there is, or has been, a breach of these Booking Conditions by you or any guest or visitor. Where a Host cancels under this clause, all amounts paid are forfeited and, where such termination occurs during the rental period, you and all guests and visitors must immediately leave the property.
5.1 Accommodation is often situated on working farms and there are hazards both natural and man-made. You accept that you, and any guests or visitors, enter the property at your own risk.
5.2 Participation by you and any guests or visitors in activities, such as, outdoor baths, climbing trees, walking on the property and any other activity on the property, is done so at your and their own risk.
5.3 To the extent permitted by law, neither we nor the Host accept any liability for accident, loss of property or personal injury during your stay.
No pets are allowed unless otherwise specified on the Website listing. Most accommodation is situated on working farms and therefore are not suitable for visiting pets.
GST of 15% (where the accommodation is GST-registered) is included in the daily per night cost. A tax receipt will be supplied by Canopy Camping Escapes if requested.
8.1 Guests have a licence to occupy the Property for the paid holiday period only. You are responsible for ensuring that you and they arrive no earlier than the check-in date, and leave no later than the check-out time, specified on the Website.
8.2 You are required to, and must ensure that all guests and any approved day visitors, observe the rules and procedures in relation to the property:
8.3 You must, and must ensure that all guests and any approved visitors, take all reasonable and proper care of the property and its furniture, fittings and effects and leave them in the same state of repair, condition, cleanliness and tidiness as at the commencement of the rental period. Where the property has not been left in the same state of repair, condition, cleanliness and tidiness as at the commencement of the rental period, you will be required to pay an additional cleaning cost of $100 which may be charged to the credit or debit card used at the time of booking.
8.4 You are required to inform Canopy Camping Escapes of any damage or breakage occurring during the rental period in or around the property promptly so that it can be repaired and replaced for the next booking. You must reimburse the Host for the reasonable costs of replacement or repair of any damage caused by you or any guests or visitors and such costs may be charged to the credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) used at the time of booking.
8.5 You must ensure that any access information in relation to a property (including any access codes, location of keys, etc) is kept confidential and not disclosed to any person.
8.6 Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the properties.
8.7 The Host may access the property during the rental period to the extent reasonably necessary to undertake repairs or replacement or where we or the Host have reason to believe these Booking Terms are not being complied with.
8.8 The number of guests staying at the Escape overnight must be the same as the number of guests included in the booking. Any day visitors must be approved by the Host prior to your stay. No overnight visitors are permitted.
8.9 You and all guests and any approved day visitors must behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner with due respect to the Host, the Property, other guests and neighbouring properties and neighbours, and Canopy Camping Escapes’ staff and representatives.
If you have any complaints, please contact us promptly at [email protected] with details of the complaint. As the agent of the Hosts we will be the initial contact between you and the Host but may need to put you in direct contact to resolve any issues.
To the extent permitted by law, as agent for the Hosts, we have no liability, to you or any other person, in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise:
Your rights are against the Host, not Canopy Camping Escapes.
If, for any reason, Canopy Camping Escapes has any liability to you under or in relation to these Booking Terms or your stay, to the extent permitted by law, our liability is limited to the 20% of the amount paid by you in relation to the relevant booking.
Any liability the Host has to you under or in relation to these Booking Conditions or your stay is, to the extent permitted by law, limited to refund of amounts paid by you for the relevant booking and shall not extend to any other costs or loss incurred by you or any guest or other person.
Gift vouchers expire if not redeemed within 2 years of purchase. If a booking paid for using a gift voucher is cancelled, any refund will be by way of a gift voucher with the same expiry date as the original gift voucher. Gift vouchers are not refundable or redeemable for cash and cannot be transferred or on-sold.
These Booking Conditions are governed by New Zealand law and the New Zealand courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
We may amend these Booking Conditions at any time. Any changes shall apply to bookings made from the date of such changes. You are responsible for familiarising yourself with these Booking Conditions each time you make a booking.
The Ark is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the facilities provided in your kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
If you want a meal out, your hosts recommend Diamond Harbour Eatery & Bar and Salt Takeaways for classic Kiwiana fish and chips.
The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is 15 minutes away
A two minute walk down the steps takes you to your own piece of the bay, perfect for that morning dip.
The coastal walk is a picturesque track from Purau to Diamond Harbour Cafe and Wharf. You can jump on the track just below the Ark. It's about 40 mins walk to get to the cafe for your coffee and ice cream reward. The track is fairly well maintained in summer.
The beach is a 10-minute walk and is best for swimming at full or half tide. If you've bought your kayak with you this is the place to launch it. It is possible to launch a kayak from the Ark, but the steps are step and you'll find it challenging to get it up and down from the water.
The area has a variety of nature walks, swimming and fishing spots and historical places to visit. There's also the Charteris Bay Golf Club, tennis at Orton Bradley Park, Airborn Paddle Hire and horse trekking available close by.
The Black Cat ferry offers a very pleasant 10-minute ferry ride from Diamond Harbour to Lyttelton. This small village boasts quaint shops, restaurants, bars, a theatre, and a popular Saturday market.
Your hosts at The Ark are Steve, Wendy, and Tintin the dog.
When owners, Steve and Wendy purchased the land in 2017, it was overgrown and wild. After clearing some blackberry - they discovered the wooden hull of an old boat. This provided the inspiration for an ark-style cabin which they built on top of the old hull.
The couple are both very talented creators, with Steve working as a sculptor and Wendy, as an artist. The Ark has had plenty of their combined creative talents poured into its creation.
They holidayed in their little off-grid haven, before eventually building a slightly bigger bach on the neighbouring property.
Steve and Wendy love spending time at Purau Bay. They love the fresh sea air, the walks, the boats, the ocean, and the morning sunshine sparkling on the water. They look forward to sharing the magic of the area with you!
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