Fossickers Hut is situated near small, historic, gold-mining town, Canvastown, on the main route to Nelson from either Picton or Blenhiem. 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 goldmining 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 outdoor, fire-heated bath, adds 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 ladder, is an adventurous sleeping spot for the kids.
Bird lovers will delight in the cheeky native weka, and abundance of fantails, tui, woodpigeon and morepork in the bush surrounds. At night, discover the secret grotto near the hut, which reveals walls of glow worms - before a soak in the outdoor bath under a sky covered in stars.
FROM
$250
p/n
Sleeps
4
Child Friendly
Winter Escape
Getting There
FAQS
Rates and Extras
Booking Terms
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.
Fossickers Hut is a small timber pioneer-style hut. It has a queen bed, and a loft accessed by a ladder with 2 extra squabs, perfect for children. Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied.
The queen bed is made up with 100% cotton linen. All beds have either wool or feather duvets.
The kitchen is a lean-to, partly open air space with a gas ring and a coal range for cooking. There is bench space for food preparation and hot water for dishes. All the pots, cutlery and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided. Cool food storage is a chilly-bin in the camp kitchen. Replacement cold packs for longer stays will be provided.
Some pantry basics are provided - cooking oil, salt, pepper, tea and sugar.
The camp bathroom is situated on the deck to the side of the hut and the facilities consist of a cosy, partially covered in outdoor shower and sink, both with instant hot water provided by a gas califont. A small distance away is the pleasant-to-use composting toilet. There is also a wood-fired outdoor bath with river views for soaking in.
There is no mains power at Fossickers Hut - it is completely off-the-grid. Solar power provides lighting and also phones can be charged at the hut via the solar power source. Energy for hot water and cooking is supplied via LPG gas bottles.
There is no mobile reception down at the hut, but Spark mobile phone reception can usually be found on the driveway, otherwise Canvastown, 5km away is your nearest reception point. Phones can be charged at the hut via the solar power source.
Fossicker's Hut is open for Winter stays, 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!
Fossicker's Hut has lots of warm bedding, a wood-burner in the hut, and lots of other elements to make your stay cosy and atmospheric. If you book a stay in winter, bring your sense of adventure, brush up on your fire-lighting skills, and be prepared for the elements!
Yes - Fossickers Hut can accommodate 2 children in the loft bedroom. There are safety considerations with the property - in particular - there is a river nearby, and some steep sections in the bush surrounding the hut, so children do need to be supervised carefully. We think Fossickers is best suited to couples, or families with school aged children.
Access to Fossickers Hut is by a short but steep walking track. Your car will be parked in a safe car park on the property and all your luggage and supplies will be transported up the hill by your hosts, Craig and Jodie. The walk requires a moderate level of fitness! It takes about 10 minutes. It can get muddy, especially in the Spring, Winter and Autumn months, so make sure you bring some appropriate footwear and a sense of adventure. On departure, your gear will be transported back down the track for you.
Food and drink - make sure you bring all the food and drink you need for your stay, including tea, coffee, cooking oil etc.
Walking shoes or boots for walking up up to the hut and exploring the property.
Warm clothes - it can be very chilly in the mornings and at night. A warm jersey and long pants are a must.
Shower and bath toiletries - don’t forget your eco-friendly bubble bath if you’re partial to froth in your outdoor bath!
Insect repellent and sunscreen - A must have! (Jodie makes a really effective all natural ingredients insect repellent which is for sale at the hut for $10 a jar)
The property is a large, wild and bush clad property, with some sections of steep slopes, and uneven bush tracks, where extra care needs to be taken. There are water hazards on the property, in particular, the nearby river - caution needs to be exercised in and around the river and at certain times when there has been a lot of rain, it may not be suitable for swimming. It's very important to follow the safety guidelines and terms that you’ll find in our booking terms and in your guide found inside the hut.
Yes, - single night stays during the week (Sun - Thursday) are bookable with a $40 surcharge. There is a strict two night minimum for weekend nights ( Fri/Sat). However, where there is a single night gap between bookings that falls on a Friday and Saturday night, it may be possible to book that single night with a surcharge of $40. If you are interested in this option, please email us with your date request.
Fossickers Hut has a standard minimum stay period of two nights for weekends and one night for midweek nights (Sunday - Thursday) with a single night surcharge of $40. 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.
Where there is a single night gap between bookings that falls on a Friday and Saturday night, it may be possible to book that single night with a surcharge of $40. If you are interested in this option, please email us with your date request.
All Year Round:
The standard nightly rate for two or more night stay is $250 per night for up to two people
Up to two extra children can be accommodated in the loft for $20 per child, per night.
One night stays during the week (Sunday - Thursday) are allowed, but there is an additional surcharge of $40.
Give the gift of glamping! Gift Vouchers are available for all 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 A deposit of 10% is required to confirm your booking and secure the property. This will be charged to your credit card at the time of booking. A 2.5% credit card payment surcharge will be applied to this payment.
1.2 On receipt of the deposit, you will receive an email confirming both the payment and your booking details.
1.3 The remaining balance will be due 4 weeks in advance of your arrival date. An email reminder will be sent to you 3 days prior to this date, where an outstanding balance remains. The reminder email gives you the option to pay the remaining balance by internet banking or, if your internet banking payment has not been received within 48 hours, the remaining balance will automatically be charged to the credit card used at the time of booking. Please note: a 2.5% credit card payment surcharge is applied to all payments made by credit card. Credit card data is held in a secure and encrypted environment.
1.4 Bookings made within 4 weeks in advance of your arrival date will be charged the full balance at the time of booking (this may be processed in two payments).
1.5 If you are unable to pay the balance before the stated due date, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking will be cancelled.
1.6 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 card fee).
2.1 Some campsites may have limitations due to weather. If severe weather is forecast we will call you as soon as possible prior to your scheduled arrival date to advise you and cancel your booking. You can choose whether to defer your holiday to a later date subject to availability or receive a full refund.
2.2 Your 10% deposit is non-refundable, however, it can be transferred to another booking made within a 12 month period, if your stay is cancelled more than 3 weeks prior to your arrival.
2.3 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.
2.4 Date changes made more than 21 days prior to your original arrival date are allowed without penalty.
3.1 Campsites are 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.
3.2 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.
3.3 Canopy Camping Escapes accept no liability for accident, loss of property or personal injury whilst on your stay.
6.1 The Guests have the right to occupy the Property for the paid holiday period only.
6.2 Guests are required to observe the rules and familiarise themselves with the procedures contained in the information folder provided in the tent.
6.3 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.
6.4 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, repair or extra cleaning costs where reasonably demanded by the owners for damage caused by the guests.
6.5 Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property.
6.6 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 consulation with Canopy Camping Escapes.
The person who completes the Booking Form certifies that: he or she is authorised to agree the Booking Conditions on behalf of all persons included in the Booking Form, including those substituted or added at a later date; the signatory is over eighteen years of age; they agree to take responsibility for the party occupying the Property, and to notify Canopy Camping Escapes if they are not a member of the holiday party.
Fossickers Hut is self-catering. Just bring your own food and chilly-bin, 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. Havelock has plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from.
A 4 Square shop for supplies can be found in Havelock, and the nearest supermarket is in Blenheim (40 minutes drive).
Things To Do
Fossicker's 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. Grab a pan and try your luck with gold panning. You never know what you might find...
If you feel like some action, Fossicker's 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 famililar 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. Or give river rafting a try! (Havelock also has a river rafting company).
Pelorus Bridge is 10 minutes 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 pig, and catch fish frequently in the Marlborough Sounds.
Fossicker's 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.
"
Our stay in Fossickers Hut was quite magical. A beautifully crafted and furnished wonderland in a quiet oasis . Delightful hosts who couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly.
"
Martin Overbury - 04 Mar 2020
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We loved disconnecting from the world for a short time and just spent our days swimming and hanging out. Absolute bliss!
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Livvy Zandbergen - 05 Feb 2020
"
We had an amazing time at Fossicker's Hut. Having the bath, the river, and great views in a quiet and bush-clad location made this a special holiday. - George
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George Tylee - 17 Jan 2020
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We loved the location, the attention to detail in the huts construction and the welcoming and creative owners!
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Sarah Lester - 08 Jan 2020
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Fossickers hut was a stunning place, location, environment, the hut and the owners. We stayed two nights and sad to leave. Amazingly well set up and private. The tiny personal touches were lovely. We couldn’t recommend this place more. Already planning when I can visit again. The owners were so friendly and welcoming, plenty of local knowledge and gave us a great insight to the hut and it’s inception.
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Ali Kimber - 07 Jan 2020
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Great place to stay. Relaxing and just the right mix of camping and luxury. Outdoor bath is amazing.
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Gail and Brian Fletcher - 26 Nov 2019
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Beautiful spot and great people.
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Petra Parker-price - 16 Nov 2019
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A stay in Fossickers Hut is the perfect way to recharge, recalibrate and enjoy nature. We sat and contemplated spending the rest of our lives off the grid, while we can’t do that yet we loved being able to have a place like Fossickers to stay when we need it. Was lots of fun cooking on the wood burner and having a hot outdoor bath! There are lots of amenities really close by if you need to sneak out for more wine or chocolate and not far from short walks around the sounds.
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