High up, on a small point near the Coromandel settlement of Port Charles, is a truly special getaway with spectacular views - known as Ruru Room.
Ruru Room is 3-hours and 45-minutes drive from Auckland City, one hour from Coromandel Town, and 40 minutes from Colville.
The accommodation consists of two small cabins - one the sleeping, living and kitchen space, and the other the bathroom - connected to each other by decking walkways. Both are light, bright, tasteful and simple - with everything you need, and nothing you don't.
There are incredible sea views in every direction, but from your bed, you'll enjoy the sun rising over the sea to the East as the tide gently laps the rocks on the beach below. Gannets, seabirds and rays inhabit the bay - with snapper plentiful off the point.
Walk to the grassy summit to a shaded lookout - or down to the rocky beach where you can swim directly from the steps at high tide - or explore rich and diverse rockpools until you reach the water's edge.
Large and established trees surround the cabin and cover the property - primarily pohutukawa, but also puriri, kowhai, lancewood and many, many Nikau. The air is dense with the bird song of tui, kaka, piwakawaka, riroriro and many others. As the evening descends, you’ll hear the distinctive call of the ruru (morepork).
Ruru Room is a quietly dramatic property - with spectacular and subtle aspects combining to create a uniquely secluded, and peaceful, place to be.
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.
There are occasionally temporary road closures and diversions on the road to Port Charles due to roading maintenance and events. We suggest checking the NZTA road closures website before you leave to help you plan your trip.
2) Drive. If you choose to drive, detailed instructions follow below.
Ruru Room is 3 hours and 45 minutes drive from Auckland City, one hour from Coromandel Town, and 40 minutes from Colville. Note that the final 30 minutes of your drive will be on an unsealed gravel road. Make sure you stop to buy provisions in Thames or Coromandel. There is a store in Colville, but the selection is limited.
Follow the Google Maps directions to the address.
Once you arrive at the address, you'll see a steep right-of-way at a corrugated iron Kereru and microwave letterbox. Turn on to this right-of-way. You may need to open and close a gate at the top. Continue down the steep right-of-way, driving carefully near the bottom where there is a drainage hump, and past the old wrecked 4WDs… Ruru Rooms entry is the wide metal gate directly ahead of you.
There is a gate lock and a lockbox with keys to Ruru Room - both require codes. We'll send the codes to you 5 days prior to your stay in a pre-arrival email.
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].
important arrival and parking instructions
Once you've arrived, proceed up the driveway
The drive is steep, so please drive very slowly, letting your vehicle drive gently so as not to rut and disperse the gravel.
At the top, it is best to drive past the flat area on the right and then reverse onto the flat area, that way your boot will be near the steps to the cabin.
When driving out, be careful of the corner back onto the drive, better to do the turn in two sections unless you have a very tight turning circle.
Ruru Room is perfect for a couple, sleeping 2 people in a queen-sized bed.
Duvet and pillows are 100% down, with a waffle cotton duvet cover. Linen is 1000 thread count 100% cotton. There are extra blankets in the antique chest.
The kitchen facilities are in the main cabin and include a stainless counter including with sink and hot water. A two-burner gas hob and electric oven are provided for cooking. In the cabinetry under the counter are two under-counter refrigerators. A blender, toasted sandwich maker and toaster are also supplied.
All the pots, pans and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided.
Some pantry basics are supplied - olive oil, salt and pepper.
The bathroom facilities are in a separate building a few metres from the main cabin and include a hot shower with good pressure, flush toilet and a basin and counter-top with mirrors.
Water pressure is solid and pump-fed from rain-water tanks but careful usage to conserve water would be appreciated during the summer months.
Only Spark has coverage at Ruru Room and this is best found at end of the property, on the top flat area, at the sea end or on the outward corner of the cabin deck. Vodafone coverage can be found back some kilometres on the road at the turn-off to Carey road.
Ruru Room is not suitable for children and is a strictly adults-only site. 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.
Ruru Room is very private, with only a few faint signs of other habitation from the cabin.
At the back of the property, looking south, you can make out the roof of the closest neighbour below, and catch glimpses of gravel road and a few partial sites of small bachs.
From the cabin deck, you'll see a handful of small houses far in the distance across the bay, in Port Charles. To the North is glorious open sea and landscape.
Note that the final 30 minutes of your drive to Ruru Room will be on an unsealed gravel road.
Access to Ruru Room once you arrive is via a steep gravel driveway. You'll need to drive carefully up the drive and parking is available at the top near the steps to the cabin. You'll be able to come and go as often as you need.
Yes. There are plenty of options for storing a boat during your stay at Ruru Room, although none are undercover. The property is secure in that there is a gate with a lock.
There is a flat (although rather weedy) area just inside the gate. There is also a large flat area halfway up the drive and the flat area just behind the cabin is long enough to park both boat and vehicle.
This is a steep property in areas, and often over-grown, so caution and diligence are advised.
The deck’s outermost corners are a little over a metre and above agapanthus, so caution needs to be taken.
The short walkway between bathroom and cabin is raised and, as yet, foliage has not established at its sides - please be cautious and turn on the outside light at night.
The pathway to the sea is steep in places with steps that are steep. Although robustly constructed, please be mindful as the land on either side is steep and loose. The final steps to the water's edge are a rope ladder down a relatively steep bank, you'll need to take it easy and watch your step.
Ruru Room has a standard minimum stay period of 2 nights with no exceptions.
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.
Ruru Room has a standard minimum stay period of 2 nights with no exceptions.
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.
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.
2.1Canopy Camping reserves the right to cancel the 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) Extreme weather conditions that mean accessing or staying may pose a safety risk for the guest;
(b) Any alteration to the host property which may pose a safety risk for the guest;
(c) Unexpected damage or destruction of the site;
(d) A death in the host families.
Canopy Camping’s liability will be limited to 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.
2.2 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.
2.3 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 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.
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.
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.
6.1 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 accommodation.
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 or repair.
6.5 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.
6.6 Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property.
6.7 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.
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.
Eating and Drinking
Ruru Room has all the facilities you need to self-cater. Just bring your own food, and prepare meals in the kitchen space. There is a gas cooktop and electric oven for cooking and you'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
Dining options are few and far between, but you'll find a cafe at the Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat which is occasionally also open for dinners. There are also a couple of cafes in Colville (40 minutes away) and a broader range of options in Coromandel Town (1 hour away).
If you need to pop out for supplies, there is a small store at Colville, but otherwise, you'd be wise to ensure you bring everything you need!
Things to do
Once you arrive at Ruru Room, you won't want to leave, and nor will you need to...
Read, rest and recharge your soul. Hours can be spent relaxing on the cabin deck - watching the light change on the ocean. As night falls, listen to the ruru calling from the trees and even kiwi calling from the denser bush beyond.
In the morning, head down the path to the sea below for an early morning swim off the rocks. Bring your rod and gear and catch a snapper for lunch! There's a fish bench available behind the bathroom cabin.
If you feel the need to leave the property, a 10-minute walk back up the drive and north along the road brings you to Sandy Bay, a large gentle crescent of golden sand and tepid brine. Along the road to the south is Little Sandy Bay, best visited at high tide, with its rope swing out over the sea. From the right of way, and down a shared path, is the jetty - a good place for fishing and also a great place to park your yacht, or meet your charter boat. A helicopter can land here.
A few kilometres back up the road is Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat with over 50 wild kiwi on the property and their Kiwi Experience walks are open to the public when there is availability. Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat also offers massages which are available to day-visitors (bookings essential though!)
If you're keen to get active, a popular walk is a coastal walk between Stony and Fletcher Bays. Stony Bay is about 15 minutes drive from Ruru Room. This walk takes approximately 7 hours return, starting from Stony Bay, but there are shorter and equally spectacular iterations. Stony Bay itself is a worthy destination.
For guided local bushwalks and fishing trips – either land-based fishing or using your own boat – visit Colville Guiding or treat yourself to a horse trek - Colville Horse Treks come recommended by your hosts!
Your Hosts
The owners of Ruru Room are an artist and scientist who are based overseas. For them, Ruru Room represents the perfect synthesis of respite from their busy lives, while offering nourishment for their life pursuits. They say “our place is charged with a resounding and peaceful spirit. With its abundance of unique flora and fauna, this private eyrie is an idyll unlike any we’ve encountered”. The property is a part of the family and they have long-term plans for ecological regeneration.
They have a property manager nearby who will be your point of contact during your stay at Ruru Room if needed.
"
Situated in a private peaceful spot with stunning views and a great fishing spot, we caught great snappers. We loved our Ruru room experience and would love to come back.
"
- 16 May 2022
"
A great escape from the world and the chance to completely unwind. It was well worth the drive to get there. Such a beautiful and peaceful spot. Thank you for sharing your piece of paradise.
"
- 02 Mar 2022
"
Amazingly peaceful location, stunning views. Loads of great places to swim nearby and a great spot for relaxing and taking some long, deep breaths. Super comfy bed too!
"
- 24 Feb 2022
"
An incredible spot starting with the most beautiful drive which made the arrival so exciting. One of the more remote areas in the Coromandel and so peaceful. The New Zealand bush surrounding the area was amazing - wish we had longer to explore!
"
- 07 Dec 2021
"
The Ruru Room is a fantastic place to spend a few romantic days with your loved one. The facilities are great and the outlook amazing.
"
- 18 Nov 2021
"
Great experience, such a beautiful remote location made for a very relaxing weekend. The room is well laid out and has everything you need!
"
- 04 Aug 2021
"
A beautiful place to stay to getaway for the weekend! Such incredible views from the deck which made it very hard to leave. Will definitely be coming back here soon!!
"
- 31 Jul 2021
"
Our stay at Ruru Room was fantastic. The quiet serenity was just what we wanted. You can't help but relax and unwind. It was comfortable and very well appointed. The location is gorgeous. We'd definitely stay there again.
"
Noel Parris - 11 May 2021
"
A great spot for a low-key and private couple of days. Great view and has everything you need. Super cute and relaxing.
"
Julia Gilbert - 14 Apr 2021
"
Beautiful location, cosy and modern, incredible sunsets!
"
Sarah Williamson - 11 Mar 2021
"
It was a beautiful and relaxing stay, we especially loved the private access to the water!
"
- 24 Feb 2021
"
Definitely one of the most beautiful views to literally wake up to.
"
Jamie Heta - 15 Feb 2021
"
Ruru room is in a spectacular part of NZ. While feeling luxurious and isolated you are only a short walk or drive from some of NZs very secluded, pristine bays and walkways. Couldn’t recommend more highly!
"
Bridget Dudin - 11 Feb 2021
"
The most magical and secluded place to rejuvenate! We sat for hours on the porch soaking up the views with a glass of wine - definitely a spot worth visiting.
"
Mia Courtney - 09 Feb 2021
"
The Ruru Room was amazing, we would have loved to stay there forever. Great views from the balcony, the shower and the little hideaway at the top of the property. We loved watching the gannets bombing into the ocean below and spent our evenings sitting on the deck under the bright milky way.
"
Luke Wuthrich - 07 Feb 2021
"
The peace,the birdsong and the simplicity of Ruru Room made it easy to wind right down and relax .The view was outstanding and everything we needed was available .Thank you for sharing your piece of heaven on earth 🌍
"
Lisa Dalton - 21 Jan 2021
"
This spot is perfect to kick back and relax. It is a very peaceful area, with amazing wild life around. The Ruru room was comfortable and very tidy. We already want to revisit it was hard to leave 😊.
"
Sarrah Claasen - 28 Dec 2020
"
The Ruru Room was the most peaceful place I’ve ever been to!
"
Isabelle Van Eeden - 25 Dec 2020
"
Just wow! There is simply nothing to not fall in love with at Ruru room. Cosy and beautiful is how I'd describe it. The room has everything you need and the breathtaking views will sweep you off your feet. It is a magical experience.
"
Chara Reti - 20 Nov 2020
"
A great stay especially if you like surf casting and diving for kina. The bathroom is a highlight, showering with a 'wow' view!
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.
