Covid-19 update
Our campsites are open and operating safely at this time.
Please rest assured that if you do book a stay and a move back to a higher Alert Level means we have to close, we will postpone or refund your stay.
Book a midweek stay during July and August and get $60 off the standard rate per night!
Tarata Eco Retreat
Kawhia Harbour, Waikato
Tarata Eco Retreat is set on the edge of Kawhia Harbour in Te Waitere. It's about 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Hamilton, and 2 hours and 45 minutes from Auckland City.
Set on a bush covered hillside, the cabin enjoys stunning views of the beautiful Kawhia Harbour.
The little cabin has been lovingly renovated into the ultimate glamping retreat. With an outdoor kitchen, bathroom and extensive outdoor living spaces - you'll feel immersed in nature. The cosy, enclosed bedroom has large glass windows and doors - connecting you to the outdoors. The interior decor is stylish and restful.
Many hours can be spent relaxing on the deck and watching the tides move in and out during the day. Explore the native bush and pine forest on the property - and spot the kereru that make it their home. A small stream runs through the small ravine and if you're lucky - you may even see a few glowworms hiding on the banks.
Tarata Eco Retreat is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of life - and a truly peaceful place to rest and rejuvenate.
FROM $280 p/n
- Sleeps 3
A $40 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
885a Te Waitere Road, Taharoa 3988
directions
Tarata Eco Retreat is one 1 hour and 30 minutes from Hamilton and 2 hours and 45 minutes from Auckland City. The GPS coordinates for the location of the cabin are -38.149869, 174.818306.
Once you arrive, you'll need a code for the lockbox so you can retrieve the keys for the cabin. The code, along with detailed arrival instructions will be supplied to you 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].
Tarata Eco Retreat
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in - between 3pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check-out - is by 11am
What are the bed and bedding arrangements?
The cabin sleeps up to two people in a king-sized bed. A daybed in the cabin can accommodate an extra adult.
Full linen, towels, and bedding is supplied. The sheets are a 50/50 cotton-linen mix. A feather duvet is provided along with a heavy comforter and extra wool blankets.
What are the cooking and kitchen facilities?
The kitchen is a covered outdoor space with a sink, bench and food storage. All the pots, cutlery and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided.
There is a double gas hob and a mini-pizza oven for cooking. Cool food storage is via a small solar-powered fridge.
Some pantry basics are supplied - olive oil, salt and pepper, loose leaf tea, and plunger coffee.
What are the bathroom facilities?
The shower is a covered outdoor shower, set off the back of the cabin. An LPG gas califont supplies hot water.
There is a pleasant-to-use composting toilet in a separate building about 20 metres away from the cabin. The toilet has an outdoor basin just outside the door with soap and a hand towel.
Is there power?
Tarata Eco Retreat is fully off-grid with a solar system providing electricity for the electric appliances, lighting and phone charging. If it’s sunny, the system will be generating power. If it’s not sunny, you’ll be using power from the bank of batteries. While there should be plenty of electricity to operate the onsite appliances during your stay, you will need to conserve on grey days to avoid running out. Please don't bring your hairdryers and straighteners, as these have a large power draw and will run the power supply down quickly. Your hosts will let you know the power status on arrival.
Is there mobile phone reception?
Yes, there is 3G reception for Vodafone and Spark. There are power outlets and a USB dock for charging.
Is there heating?
When there is sufficient battery storage, a small fan heater is available to use. A portable bio-ethanol fire (which is smokeless and odourless) is also provided to heat the cabin.
Hot water bottles are also provided.
What is glamping like in Winter?
The cabin is open most of the year and a perfect winter escape. Bear in mind though, that you're booking an off-grid escape - without the usual luxuries of a fully powered home. Glamping is still a form of camping!
Note that there are some outdoor elements to your stay for example cooking outdoors and an outdoor shower and toilet.
Is Tarata Eco Retreat child-friendly?
The cabin is not suitable for children and is strictly adults-only. 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.
Can I bring my dog?
Tarata Eco Retreat has a 'no dog' policy.
How private and remote is Tarata Eco Retreat?
Tarata Eco Retreat is situated on a hillside property surrounded by regenerating bush, overlooking Kawhia Harbour. You can see a couple of buildings and baches in the far distance, but other than this, the cabin is very private.
What is the access like and where do I park my car?
Access to the cabin has drive-on access which is suitable for 2-wheel drive vehicle.
You'll be able to drive up to the cabin and park right beside it. You're welcome to come and go from the property as much as you like.
There are stairs that are not wheelchair-friendly.
What do I need to bring?
- Food and drink for your stay (once you're there you won't want to leave)
- Toiletries
- Warm clothing for star-gazing.
What are the safety considerations?
The property is a large, bush-clad, hillside property, with some steep drop-offs, so 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 cabin.
Can I book for one night only?
Weekends and Main Summer Holidays:
There is a minimum stay period of two nights on all weekends (Friday and Saturday night) and during the main summer holiday period (20 December - 31 January).
Please note that during this period 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 $40 Single Night Surcharge applicable.
Weeknights:
Single nights can be booked during the week (Sunday - Thursday nights) outside the periods specified above with a Single Night Surcharge of $40 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 Tarata Eco Retreat.
Minimum Stays
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for Tarata Eco Retreat.
Weekends and Main Summer Holidays:
There is a minimum stay period of two nights on all weekends (Friday and Saturday night) and during the main summer holiday period (20 December - 31 January).
Please note that during this period 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 $40 Single Night Surcharge applicable.
Weeknights:
Single nights can be booked during the week (Sunday - Thursday nights) outside the periods specified above with a Single Night Surcharge of $40 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.
Rates
Year-Round:
The night rate for Friday - Saturday is $300 for up to two people.
The nightly rate for Sunday - Thursday is $280 for up to two people.
An additional adult can be accommodated for $40 per night.
Single Night Surcharge:
Where single nights are bookable (see Minimum Stay Periods) a Single Night Surcharge of $40 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.
Gift Vouchers
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. booking and payments
1.1 If you book within 28 days of your stay, full payment via credit card 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 card at the time of booking. A 2.5% credit card payment surcharge will be applied to all credit card 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 card. If your internet banking payment has not been received within 24 - 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 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 card fee).
2. cancellation, date changes and severe weather warnings
2.1 Canopy 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. safety and hazards
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.
4. pets
No pets allowed unless otherwise specified on the website listing. Most campsites are situated on working farms, and therefore are not suitable for visiting pets.
5. GST
GST of 15% (where applicable) is included in the daily per night cost. A GST invoice will be supplied if requested.
6. conditions of occupancy and conduct
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.