Fossickers Hut

Fossickers Hut

Marlborough

Fossickers Hut is situated near a small, historic, gold-mining town, Canvastown, on the main route to Nelson from either Picton or Blenheim. It's a convenient one hour from Nelson, and 40 minutes from Blenheim.

Staying at Fossickers Hut is like taking a step back in time. Canvastown was once a popular gold mining town, and remnants of the gold workings surrounding the hut, are reminiscent of a time when the valley was populated by 2000 gold prospectors. The pioneer-style of Fossickers Hut was designed by artistic owners, Craig and Jodie, as a nod to these early settlers.

The single-roomed hut is tucked into native bush, perched on a bluff above the serene Wakamarina River. Beautiful handcrafted features fill the little space, right down to the ceramic light shades and hand-made-by-Jodie individual plates and bowls in the camp kitchen. An old coal range in the lean-to kitchen, and an outdoor, fire-heated bath, add to the historic vibe. Inside the hut, a wood-burning stove and a comfortable queen-size bed create a cosy, inviting space. A roof loft, accessed by a ladder, is an adventurous sleeping spot for the kids.

Bird lovers will delight in the abundance of fantails, tui, woodpigeon and morepork in the bush surrounding the hut. At night, discover the secret grotto nearby, which reveals walls of glow worms - before a soak in the outdoor bath under a sky covered in stars. 

FROM $275 p/n

  • Sleeps 4
  • 
            Children welcome
      Children 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.

Make sure you download or print this handy info sheet with directions and host contact details prior to your journey. You may not have mobile reception at all times.

address
 

488 Wakamarina Rd, Wakamarina 7178

directions
 

Fossicker's Hut is on the main route to Nelson from either Picton or Blenheim. It's a convenient one hour from Nelson, one hour from Picton and 40 minutes from Blenheim.

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].

Fossickers Hut

What time is check in and check out?

WHAT ARE THE BED AND BEDDING ARRANGEMENTS?

WHAT ARE THE KITCHEN AND COOKING FACILITIES?

WHAT ARE THE BATHROOM FACILITIES?

IS THERE POWER?

IS THERE MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION?

WHAT SORT OF HEATING IS THERE?

CAN I HAVE An outdoor fire?

What is glamping like in Winter?

Can children stay at Fossickers Hut?

CAN I BRING MY DOG OR HORSE?

HOW PRIVATE AND REMOTE IS Fossickers Hut?

What is the access like and where do I park my car?

Will I come across creatures and critters during my stay?

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

ARE THERE ANY SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS?

CAN I BOOK FOR A ONE NIGHT ONLY?

MINIMUM STAY PERIODS

RATES

GIFT VOUCHERS

2. booking and payments

3. Guest cancellations and date changes

4. Host Cancellations

5. safety and hazards

6. pets

7. GST

8. conditions of occupancy and conduct

9. Complaints

10. Liability

11. Gift vouchers

12. Law

13. Changes to booking conditions

14. Authority to sign

  • Eating and Drinking

    Fossickers Hut is self-catering. Just bring your own food, and cook using the coal range and facilities provided in your camp kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

    If you want a break from cooking at any stage, Canvastown is 5 minutes away and Havelock is just a 15-minute drive. The Captain's Daughter, Mills Bay Mussels, Slip Inn Store and just a few restaurants and cafes to choose from. The retro caravan called the Taco Shack does lunch in summer and comes highly recommended by your hosts.

    The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is 4 Square in Havelock, and the nearest supermarket is in Blenheim (40 minutes drive). 

  • Things To Do

    Fossickers Hut is the perfect place to stop, relax and take in the serenity.

    The beautiful Wakamarina River is right at your doorstep. Take a dip in the pristine, cool swimming hole - the perfect antidote to a hot Marlborough day. Or jump in the kayak and go for a paddle! Try your luck with gold panning using one of the pans provided. You never know what you might find...

    If you feel like some action, Fossickers Hut is a great base to explore the natural attractions of the region.

    Bring your bikes with you, and take an easy ride to the end of the valley (a 15km ride). You can also drive up, and do the fantastic 2-hour loop walk through beautiful native bush.

    Get familiar with the history of the area and check out the historic gold trail nearby, complete with interesting information panels. 

    Havelock township (15 minutes drive away) is the gateway to Pelorus Sound, perfect for kayaking and boating. Otherwise give river rafting a try (Havelock also has a river rafting company).

    Pelorus Bridge is a 10-minute drive away, and you'll find a cafe and great easy bush walks in a prime example of virgin bush. 

    For keen mountain bikers, Wakamarina Track at the end of the valley is also an epic mountain bike ride and "the best one day ride in New Zealand".

  • Your Hosts

    Craig and Jodie moved from the Otago Peninsula to the Wakamarina Valley in 2011. They purchased their riverside property as a bare block of land, freshly carved off an existing farm. Since then, they've developed it into a beautiful self-sufficient lifestyle block.

    Jodie is a ceramic artist and part-time farmer, and Craig is a jeweller and builder.

    Jodie and Craig believe in keeping life real and making the most of where they live. They live as self-sufficiently as possible. They grow most of their own food and produce their own power through solar panels and a small home-built hydro generator. They keep sheep, geese, chickens and pigs, and catch fish frequently in the Marlborough Sounds.

    Fossickers Hut has been created by this talented couple with creativity and flair. It's an eclectic mix of recycled materials, collected over years. Jodie and Craig were keen to acknowledge the craftsmanship of days gone by in its construction - and they have achieved a completely charming and peaceful retreat with the outcome.

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