Windwhistle, Canterbury
Black Billy Hut is set on the same high country property as the famous Washpen Falls Walk. Also on the same property are Shepherd's Hut and The Mai Mai.
It is a 50-minute drive from Christchurch Airport, one hour from Christchurch City and 20 minutes from the Mt Hutt access road. It's perfectly positioned geographically for a stopover to or from Queenstown, Tekapo, West Coast and beyond.
Black Billy Hut is a gorgeously rustic and charming building, beautifully crafted with native timbers and natural materials. Three rooms, each with french doors opening onto a verandah, contain a kitchen, living and bedroom space. A deluxe bathroom is undercover and set 2 metres away from the bedroom.
Private, remote and surrounded by nature, the hut sits 500 metres above sea level on the snowline. Expansive views take in lush native forest, farmland and the Canterbury high country, while bellbirds, woodpigeons, fantails and tomtits fill the air with incredible birdsong, best enjoyed from the gas-heated outdoor cedar hot tub. At night the stars are brilliant, so lie back in bed and stargaze through the skylights.
A stay at Black Billy is a chance to reset and reconnect with nature and the seasons. Enjoy a stroll to the spring-fed stream a short distance from the hut. Sit on the bench seat in the bush overlooking a miniature waterfall. In winter, curl up by the fire with a good book - and if you're lucky, watch the snowflakes drift down around you.
Last updated 23 Sept 2026
Black Billy Hut is self-catering. Just bring your own food and cook meals using the equipment provided in the cabin kitchen. You'll find cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, and utensils.
It's a good idea to stock up on groceries before you leave home, although both Darfield and Methven (20 - 25 minutes away) do have small supermarkets.
If you want a break from cooking at any stage, you are spoilt for choice with a variety of dining options in Methven.
Black Billy Hut is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all escape, and you might find you don't want to leave at all. With a two-person gas-heated cedar hot tub, abundant wildlife, starry skies and a beautiful hut to cosy up in, it's the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate in nature.
The Washpen Falls Adventure Walk on the property is a 2-hour loop track offering majestic scenery. You’ll go through lush native bush to a volcanic canyon reserve, experience picturesque views across the Canterbury Plains and see sparkling spring-fed creeks and stunning waterfalls.
The hut is well situated to explore all the local region has to offer. Windwhistle is the gateway to the Lake Coleridge Back Country with numerous lakes, walkways, hunting and fishing, horse trekking, scenic drives, heliskiing, mountain biking, jet boating on the famous Rakaia River or playing golf at one of the popular local courses.
Keen skiers will love the fact that the Mt Hutt Ski Field is just a 20-minute drive to the access road from the hut. A number of other ski fields are also in the region including****Mt Olympus, Craigburn, Temple Basin, Porter Heights, Mt Cheeseman and Broken River.
You may also want to check out the Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa in Methven. Surrounded by mountains, fed by the rivers and powered by the sun, this is your latest wellness destination.
“ Our two day stay was absolutely perfect. A beautiful place, everything that could have been thought of had been to make our stay just what we needed. ”
Anne Howie- 2026-01-05
20 / 20
“ A beautiful, private spot. So relaxing laying in the hot tub listening to the bird song. ”
Jeanette and Brett- 2026-09-12
1 / 20
“ We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Black Billy Hut. The Roaring Meg fire kept the room at a very cosy temperature. We had rain during our stay, and to go outside and listen to the waterfall rushing and the birdsong was just bliss. Perfect way to reset. ”
Carl Bellam- 2026-09-09
2 / 20
“ Stunning surroundings, incredible birdsong, and we even got snow. Just beautiful. ”
Tanya Rogerson- 2026-07-27
3 / 20
“ We had such an amazing night away, we felt like we were in the middle of nowhere and felt so refreshed. The outdoor bath was amazing under the stars and the bird sounds were a highlight. Would love to stay again one day! ”
Hayley Roberts- 2026-07-04
4 / 20
“ Absolutely beautiful setting, wonderful birdsong and stream noise during the day, and cosy with the woodfire on at night. Brilliant spot to disconnect, relax, and enjoy nature and the stars. ”
Hamish Dickson- 2026-05-30
5 / 20
“ Excellent hideaway, the bird life was incredible, such a beautiful dusk and dawn song echoing through the native bush, right outside your door. Perfect. ”
PETER MURCH- 2026-05-12
6 / 20
“ Beautiful, secluded spot with the most fabulous native birdsong you could ask for. Highly recommend staying and doing the walk. ”
Heather Burnby- 2026-04-09
7 / 20
“ Epic place to stay, birdsong was everywhere and the peace and tranquility was perfect. ”
carrue edgerton- 2026-03-31
8 / 20
“ It was very nice. ”
Uvin Amarasinghe- 2026-03-28
9 / 20
“ The atmosphere was serene, all you can hear is the sound of the bellbirds. Was beautiful! And the facilities are all great, very clean! Loved it, exceeded all expectations. ”
Francesca Groundwater- 2026-03-21
10 / 20
“ We stepped out of the car and were greeted with the most incredible bird song from the Korimako in the native bush. When you couple that with the super cute cottage, outdoor bath, and glorious view, it was mind-blowing. It set the scene for the most relaxing and wonderful weekend. ”
Nic McKenzie- 2026-03-16
11 / 20
“ Such a beautiful and peaceful place. ”
Sarah Chisam- 2026-03-15
12 / 20
“ Excellent accommodation to get out of the city, switch off and enjoy the sound of the native birds. Wish we could of stayed longer. ”
Zoe Boyce- 2026-03-11
13 / 20
“ This was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip and we wish we'd planned to stay longer. A holiday within a holiday and something we'll never forget. ”
Billie Cleeve- 2026-02-24
14 / 20
“ Idyllic, tranquil, relaxing and fed the soul! Loved no wifi or television, so very refreshing. The bird song, the bush, the loop walk, the views…everything…absolutely loved our stay! Beautiful! Thank you! ”
Debbie Dodds- 2026-02-18
15 / 20
“ The birdsong and setting made for a gorgeous stay and timeout from the world. The walk was great and close by as well. ”
Amber O- 2026-02-14
16 / 20
“ Great place to relax and unwind. ”
Dan Pickering- 2026-02-04
17 / 20
“ Black Billy Hut is the kind of place that gently disarms you. Shoes off, shoulders down, worries quietly set aside. Surrounded by birdsong and treetops, it offers a rare stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere. There’s no rush, no noise, just space to breathe and reset. If you’re looking for a spot that feels restorative, this is it. Black Billy Hut isn’t about doing more, it’s about feeling better. ”
Mike Crump- 2026-01-25
18 / 20
“ This cabin is a proper escape from the city. It feels like you’re the only people on earth. The facilities are perfect for a night or two. The view from the bed is amazing and the stream/birds, etc. are very relaxing. ”
Brent Henson- 2026-01-08
19 / 20
“ Our two day stay was absolutely perfect. A beautiful place, everything that could have been thought of had been to make our stay just what we needed. ”
Anne Howie- 2026-01-05
20 / 20
“ A beautiful, private spot. So relaxing laying in the hot tub listening to the bird song. ”
Jeanette and Brett- 2026-09-12
1 / 20
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