Hurunui Hills

Hurunui Hills

North Canterbury

Hurunui Hills is in North Canterbury - a 1-hour drive from Christchurch, 30 minutes from Amberley, and 35 Minutes from Hanmer Springs.

The little off-grid cabin sits in a remote spot on the steep hill country farm - with incredible views of the Southern Alps, Hurunui and Waitohi Rivers. Sheep and cattle graze between the native shrubland that covers the hills.

The huge glass windows connect you to the natural world outside. Lie in bed and watch the sun's rays light up the mountains in the morning. In the evening, enjoy spectacular skies as the sun sets beyond the horizon. 

Small, but perfectly formed, the cabin contains everything you need for a cosy and atmospheric stay. A comfortable queen-size bed, table for dining, sofa (fold-out for either two children or one extra adult) and wood burner are all contained within the cabin. A simple outdoor kitchen and shower are tucked into a covered area on one outer end.

Hurunui Hills is home to a family of the native falcon. Their calls can be heard before they can be seen. Harrier hawks also glide in the northwest warm winds above the cabin.

A short walk down to the creek will reveal the tranquil sounds of water - and piwakawaka and bellbirds dancing between the cabbage trees and Kanuka.

FROM $240 p/n

Includes 4WD Transfers

  • Sleeps 4

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.

address
 

1038 Karaka Road, Hurunui 7385

directions
 

Hurunui Hills is one hour from Christchurch in North Canterbury. Follow the Google Maps directions to get there. 

Your hosts, Maria or Scotty will shuttle you up to the cabin on the day of arrival and collect you on the day of departure.

Alternatively, guests can opt to walk via 4x4 track (steep) for 1.7km with plenty of photo opportunities on the way. The track will take around 15-20 minutes, and your gear will be transported to the cabin for you.

Note that if you'd like to leave the property during your stay for an outing, you'll need to walk the track to your car and back.

Your vehicle will be parked off the road and will be secure.

Detailed arrival instructions (including your host's contact details) will be provided in a pre-arrival email 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].

Hurunui Hills

What is time is Check-in and check-out?

What are the bed and bedding arrangements?

What are the cooking and kitchen facilities?

What are the bathroom facilities?

Is there power?

Is there mobile phone reception?

Is there heating?

What is glamping like in Winter?

Can children stay at Hurunui Hills?

Can I bring my dog?

How private and remote is Hurunui Hills?

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

What do I need to bring?

What are the safety considerations?

Can I book for one night only?

Minimum Stays

Rates

Wool Experience & Farm Tour

Gift Vouchers

1. booking and payments

2. Guest cancellations and date changes

3. Host Cancellations

4. safety and hazards

5. pets

6. GST

7. conditions of occupancy and conduct

8. authority to sign

  • Eating and Drinking

    Hurunui Hills is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the facilities provided in your semi-outdoor kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

    It's best to make sure you stock up on supplies on your way to Hurunui Hills. The closest supermarket is in Amberley, a 30-minute drive away. There is a Four Square in both Culverden and Hawarden, a 12-minute drive away.

    If you do fancy eating out at any stage, try the Hurunui Hotel and Restaurant (2-minutes away), 'The Hogget' (10-minute drive) or one of the Culverden Cafes - 12 minutes away.

  • Things to do

    The splendid isolation of Hurunui Hills makes it a great place to switch off from the world for your time there. Pass the time playing board games, reading books and playing petanque - or if you're feeling active, go for a walk on the farm.

    Hurunui Hills offer a farm tour which you can select when booking your stay. Visit the woolshed and get some in-depth information about the merino wool farmed on the property. Touch some super fine fleeces, and drive around the farm to see animals. You'll finish at the farmhouse - where you'll enjoy a walk around the garden and veggie patch.

    If you want to explore the local area, check out the Hurunui River for fishing and swimming in summer. A two-minute drive away is Balmoral Forest with a one-hour return lookout walk. Bring your bikes and head to the Hurunui Heartland cycle trail, just a two-minute cycle away.

    Slightly further afield (35-minutes) is Hanmer Springs - with delicious hot pools for soaking. Lake Sumner Forest Park is a 60-minute drive and has some fabulous walking tracks.

  • Your hosts

    Your hosts at Hurunui Hills are Scotty and Rachael and Scotty's parents, Maria and Terry.

    The farm has been in the family since 1884, with Maria and Terry being the 4th generation to live on the land and Scotty and Rachael being the 5th. Terry and Maria along with their other son Marc (based in Hanmer Springs) run the farming side of the operation. Scotty runs the tourism experiences, which include the glamping cabin and the popular Wool and Farm Tour.

    Scotty was in the tourism sector for many years - working for various companies doing multi-day circuits of New Zealand. Eventually, he decided to go it alone and focus on a deep-dive on-farm experience with the Hurunui Hills Wool and Farm Tour.

    Over the years, Scotty noticed a growing desire from travellers for a more authentic experience. And after enthusiasm from many visitors to the property, decided to set up a glamping cabin on a spot with beautiful views - so people could slow down, relax and experience the blissful peace of the Hurunui landscape for themselves. 

    Scotty loves meeting people from all over the world - sharing stories and laughs. He's an experienced host and considerate caretaker of this beautiful place.

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