Fantail Stories cabin is set on Great Barrier Island - a 40-minute flight from Auckland, or a 4.5-hour ferry ride. The cabin is situated in Cape Barrier valley in the Tryphena area of Great Barrier Island - 10 minutes drive from the Tryphena ferry terminal or 25 minutes from the Great Barrier Aerodrome. A 4WD vehicle will be required for the access road to the hut.
Nestled into beautiful subtropical native bush, the cabin is totally secluded - and feels a million miles away from the madness of the city. The trees teem with birds. Kaka, tui, morepork, fantails, wood pigeons and many more, live and feed in the pristine bush.
The cabin is separated by a dividing wall into two areas - a large bedroom area containing a comfortable queen-size bed, and the other, a small kitchenette with a window bar and stools for indoor dining. A large deck has a pergola with shade cloth, and an outdoor table and chairs. A stunning outdoor bath and shower is a gorgeous feature at the other end of the deck.
Whether you're looking for an escape or a place to base yourself while exploring the Great Barrier Island, Fantail Stories offers so much more than just accommodation... The atmosphere, peace, tranquillity and connection to nature, combine to create an experience you'll remember for many years to come.
FROM $280 p/n
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.
67 Cape Barrier Road, Great Barrier Island 0991
You can get to Great Barrier Island either by air or sea.
Barrier Air flies from Auckland Airport, North Shore Airport of Kaitaia Airport to the Aerodrome on Great Barrier Island. Fantails Stories is a 25-minute drive from the Aerodrome.
SeaLink has ferry services that leave from Hamer St, Wynyard Quarter in Auckland and sail to Tryphena Wharf on Great Barrier Island. This ferry terminal is a 10-minute drive from Fantail Stories.
Once you're on the island, you have several options to get to Fantail Stories:
Fantail Stories Pick Up/Drop Off Service
Your host, Nina, offers a pick up/drop off service which can be ordered during the online booking process. You might wish to explore the island while you're there however and there are a number of options including using a shuttle service, hiring a car or motorbike, or hiring electric bikes.
Car Hire
There are a number of car hire places on Great Barrier Island. If you choose to hire a car, you can arrange for the car to be waiting for you at either the wharf or the Aerodrome. We highly recommend hiring a 4WD Toyota Rav4 for managing the driveway and other unsealed roads on the island.
Shuttle Service
There are also a number of taxi and shuttle services that you can book to get from place to place on Great Barrier Island.
From Airport (drive time 30 minutes):
From Tryphena Ferry Terminal (drive time 10 minutes)
Check-in: 3pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check-out: 10am
Depending on your flight or ferry times to the island and when the current or departing guests are coming or going, your hosts may be able to provide some flexibility with check-in or check-out times. Check with them once you receive your pre-arrival email 5 days before your stay.
Fantail Stories is perfect for a couple. The queen-sized bed has a 100% natural down duvet inner and 100% cotton sheets and pillowcases. There are extra cosy throws and blankets in the cabin, mostly for outside throws.
A kitchenette is inside the cabin with a small bench, sink and bar fridge. A hooded gas barbeque with an additional side burner and a single indoor gas hob are available for cooking. All the pots, pans and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided.
Some pantry basics are supplied - salt, pepper, olive oil, plunger coffee, tea and white sugar.
The bathroom facilities include an outdoor bathtub and a fantastic outdoor shower heated by a gas califont.
The toilet is situated outside the cabin in an enclosed space, with an attractive and pleasant-to-use Bamboo Loo (composting toilet). There's an outdoor basin on the back of the toilet wall, with hot and cold water.
Towels are provided.
Fantail Stories has a modern solar setup which powers the lighting and fridge. USB ports are provided for charging devices during the day when the sun is shining!
Mobile reception is weak at the cabin. A 10 min drive to the local store will get you good reception with Spark and the north of the island has good reception with Vodafone.
USB ports are provided for charging devices during the day when the sun is shining!
Heating isn't required during the summer months. At cooler times of the year, a coal range stove is available for keeping it cosy, and extra blankets are provided.
No, due to the fire risk on Great Barrier Island, there are no outdoor fires allowed at Fantail Stories.
Fantail Stories 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!
The fully enclosed cabin has warm bedding and a coal range, plus lots of other elements to make your stay cosy and atmospheric. Note that there is an outdoor bathroom, so if you book a stay during the colder months of the year, bring your sense of adventure and be prepared for the elements!
Fantail Stories is ideal for couples, but children and infants are welcome if parents can bring their own beds and bedding.
Fantail Stories has a 'no dog' policy.
If you're looking for dog-friendly glamping, check out some of our other Canopy Camping Escapes sites that welcome dogs - you can select the 'dog-friendly' filter in the search bar to easily find them.
Fantail Stories is completely secluded and private. You're tucked away in your own little piece of paradise.
You will need a 4WD to drive up the gravel road to the property. Once you're there, you'll see a car parking sign to show you where to park your car. This is a very secure part of the property. From here, you will start a short 200-metre walk to the cabin, which takes about 5-minutes. Your hosts can bring your bags to the cabin. You're welcome to come and go from the property as often as you please.
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and Fantail Stories 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.
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 Fantail Stories.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for Fantail Stories.
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.
All Year Round:
The nightly rate is $280 for up to 2 people.
Children and infants are allowed if parents can bring their own bed (or portocot) and bedding, 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.
Pick-up/Drop-off Service
Your hosts Chris and Julia can pick you up from either the ferry terminal or the airport, and drop you off when it's time to leave.
Tryphena Ferry Terminal - $40 Return
Great Barrier Aerodrome (Claris) - $100 Return
Surf Lessons
Your host, Chris, is a qualified Surfing Instructor and can tailor a lesson for any skill level. Surf lessons are two hours in duration and include surfboard, wetsuit and optional transport.
Individual Surf Lesson - $200
Couples Surf Lesson - $300
Private Couples Yoga Session - $100
Yoga lessons are 1 hour in duration and lessons will take place at the cabin (the yoga instructor will come to the cabin).
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.
1.1 If you book within 28 days of your stay, 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 stay 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 2.5% credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payment surcharge will be applied to all credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payments.
1.2 Once you have made the online booking and payment, you will receive an email confirming both the payment and your booking details.
1.3 If you book more than 28 days prior to your stay, the remaining balance of your stay will be due 28 days prior to your arrival date. 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 internet banking payment has not been received within 24 - 48 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.
1.4 If you are unable to pay the balance before the stated due date, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking will be cancelled.
1.5 Bookings made online within 48 hours of arrival will not be confirmed immediately. Once the campsite has agreed that the booking can be honoured, the guest will be informed by Canopy Camping Escapes and the credit card used for the online booking will be charged the full balance of the stay. Note that there is a 2.5% credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) fee.
2.1 Your 10% deposit (or 10% of the value of your stay) is non-refundable, however it can be transferred to another booking made within a 12 month period, if your stay is cancelled more than 21 days prior to your arrival.
2.2 Cancellation or date changes by you within 4-21 days of your arrival date will result in 50% of the total cost of your stay being charged. Cancellation or date changes within 3 days of your arrival date will result in 100% of the total cost of your stay being charged.
2.3 Date changes made more than 21 days prior to your original arrival date are allowed without penalty.
2.4 Force Majeure
Under our Force Majeure policy, you will be entitled to a full refund if you need to cancel for the following reasons:
Canopy Camping hosts reserve the right to cancel a booking 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 host property which may pose a safety risk for the guest;
(b) Unexpected damage or destruction of the site;
(c) A death in the host family.
Canopy Camping’s liability will be limited to the refund of booking cost and under no circumstances shall extend to any other incidental or other costs incurred by the client. In the unlikely event that Canopy Camping must exercise this option, it will use its best endeavours to offer either a full refund or to alter the booking to another date or site at no additional cost or penalty.
4.1 Accommodation is often situated on working farms and there are hazards both natural and man-made. You accept that you enter the property at your own risk to participate in a glamping holiday.
4.2 Participation in activities such as, outdoor baths, climbing trees, walking on the property and any other activity on the property is the responsibility of the Guest and is done so at their own risk.
4.3 Canopy Camping Escapes accept no liability for accident, loss of property or personal injury whilst on 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.
7.1 Guests have the right to occupy the Property for the paid holiday period only.
7.2 Guests are required to observe the rules and familiarise themselves with the procedures contained in the information folder provided in the accommodation.
7.3 Guests shall take all reasonable and proper care of the property and its furniture, fittings and effects in or on the property and leave them in the same state of repair, condition, cleanliness and tidiness as at the commencement of the rental period.
7.4 Guests are required to inform the owner of any damage or breakage in or around the property promptly so that it can be repaired and replaced for the next guests. Guests are bound to reimburse the owners for replacement or repair.
7.5 Where the property has not been left in the same state of condition, cleanliness and tidiness as at the commencement of the rental period, the guest will be required to pay an additional cleaning cost of $100.
7.6 Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property.
7.7 Guests undertake to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner in consultation with Canopy Camping Escapes.
is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the gas cooktop and BBQ provided in your kitchenette. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
If you want a break from cooking, you'll find Tipi and Bob's Restaurant and Irish Pub ’The Currach’ (both 10-minutes away), and the My Fat Puku cafe, 30-minutes away in Claris.
If you need to pop out for supplies, the Stonewall Store is a 10-minute drive away.
Restful and restorative, Fantail Stories is the ideal place to base yourself while exploring Great Barrier Island.
The cabin itself has a range of games, some books, yoga mats for guest use and of course, the outdoor bath to while away the hours. But if you're keen to get out and about, there are lots of sights to see - and some fun ways to see them!
Motu Bikes is an electric motorbike hire company. The bikes have a moped classification so anyone can hire and ride them. Or if you're keen to explore via water - the Shiny Paua has stand-up paddleboards and kayaks for hire.
Your host Chris is a qualified surf instructor and offers private lessons with board and wetsuit, so if you've ever had the urge to try surfing, this is the perfect opportunity! Or, if you're already a surfer, Chris has boards and wetsuits for hire. Check the Rates and Extras button for more information.
One of the highlights of the island is the Kaitoke Hotsprings - a 40-minute drive away and easy 45-minute walk to the natural springs.
Chris is your hosts at Fantail Stories. Chris is a Kiwi with a love of hunting, fishing and surfing. For the last 7 years, he's been cruising the world - working on super-yachts and enjoying stints of being a surf and dive instructor. Chris fell head over heels for Great Barrier island - and is thrilled to now own his slice of paradise there.
He loves the off-the-grid lifestyle on Great Barrier - using the sun for power, rain and spring for water and our trees for heating, all gifts from generous mother nature. Their self-sufficiency and sustainable living have created a healthier and happier lifestyle that he now enjoys, with frequent visits from his daughter Ro and her mother JJ.
Beautiful tents surrounded by nature, quirky cabins with packets of personality and secret hideaways that offer something completely unique... Explore the other places in our collection.
Find your escape