Highfield River Retreat is set amongst mature Totara trees on the banks of the river running through Highfield Farm. It's the second luxury campsite on Highfield Farm, after Highfield Forest Retreat - Highfield's first, highly successful luxury forest camp. The property is an easy weekend commute from Auckland - 25 minutes from the Northland town of Dargaville and 2.5 hours from Auckland city.
Highfield River Retreat consists of a large, wooden-framed luxury tent and a camp cabin, providing a charming kitchen, dining and lounging area. An outdoor bath provides the perfect place to soak and relax.
Sleeping up to four, Highfield River Retreat is the perfect family or couples accommodation. With heating in the tent and cabin, guests can enjoy year-round comfortable camping, whatever the weather.
Highfield River Retreat gives you all the comforts of home while being surrounded by nature. Wake up with a steaming hot shower in the camp bathroom...and later enjoy a glass of wine and a soak in an outdoor bath under the stars. Then, tucked up in your comfortable bed, between 100% cotton sheets and under luxurious bedding, you'll be able to lie back and relax to the sounds of the river and the farm.
FROM $300
Children welcome
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.
Baker Road, Kaihu, Dargaville 0379
Highfield River Retreat is a comfortable 3-hour drive from central Auckland. Follow the Google Map directions to Baker Road and continue on this road until you reach a gate which requires a combination to open. This combination will be supplied to you in your pre-arrival email that we send 5 days prior to your stay. The campsite is approximately 1 km drive into the property once you enter through the gate.
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].
Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: 10.30am
Highfield River Retreat can sleep a total of 4 people in the tent in a queen-size bed and a double cane sofa bed. Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied with 100% Egyptian cotton linen and feather duvets.
The camp kitchen and dining area are inside the fully enclosed cabin. There is a double ring gas hob available for cooking. A large gas BBQ is provided for outdoor cooking. For cool storage, a chilli-bin and cool pads are provided. LPG bottles and a gas califont provide hot water.
All the pots, cutlery and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided.
The campsite has a hot water shower, with the water heated by a gas califont and there is a flushing toilet. An outdoor bath with running hot water sits beside the river.
The campsite is completely off-the-grid, but has everything you need to enjoy a comfortable stay. LPG bottles and a gas califont provide hot water, and solar power provides lighting.
There is no mobile phone reception at Highfield River Retreat, but if you need to use your mobile phone during your stay, you can travel a short distance back down Baker Road (at the entrance to Highfield Farm) and you'll be able to get reception.
Heating is provided in the tent via a wood-burner and a gas fire is provided in the cabin for heating during cooler weather.
Highfield River Retreat 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!
Highfield River Retreat has lots of warm bedding, heating in the tent in the form of a wood-burner and other elements that will 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! Children are welcome at Highfield River Retreat. The accomodation can sleep a total of four people - all together in the main tent.
Note that the river is close to the tent so children will need to be supervised at all times.
Highfield River Retreat is a strictly 'no dog' campsite (with no exceptions), and does not have facilities for horses.
Highfield River Retreat is very private. The campsite is tucked well into the property, so it's just the sounds and sights of the bush, the river, and the odd farm animal that you'll hear. We only ever book the campsite to one group at a time so you'll have the tent and kitchen hut all to yourself!
The property is a short drive into the property through a combination locked gate on Baker Road and occasionally electric tape gates. Please close them when you have passed through. Vehicles can be parked right outside the accommodation.
You're welcome to come and go from the property as much as you like to explore the local area.
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and Highfield River Retreat is no exception. Because of this, you may be exposed to various creatures and critters that you wouldn't usually find at your average hotel or motel.
Yes, most of the year campfires are allowed and there is a designated campfire brazier for this purpose. At some times of the year, there are local fire-bans which means no campfires, and your hosts will let you know if there is one in place when you are visiting.
Highfield River Retreat is on a working farm, with hazards both farm related (ie. machinery and animals) and natural (ie. Ongaonga/stinging nettle). You'll need to supervise children closely, as there are specific water hazards, such as troughs and streams. In particular, there is a fast flowing stream on the property and a shallow, rocky stream closer to the campsite to be aware of. For your own safety please do not touch any farm machinery, and do not enter any buildings on the property.
Weekends and Main Summer Holidays:
There is a minimum stay period of two nights on all weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) 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.
Weeknights:
Single nights can be booked during the week (Sunday - Thursday nights) outside the periods specified above.
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 Highfield River Retreat.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for Highfield River Retreat.
Weekends and Main Summer Holidays:
There is a minimum stay period of two nights on all weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) 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.
Weeknights:
Single nights can be booked during the week (Sunday - Thursday nights) outside the periods specified above.
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.
Peak (20 Dec to 31 Jan)
The nightly rate during this period is $350* for up to two people.
Off-Peak (1 Feb to 19 Dec)
The midweek (Sunday - Thursday) nightly rate during this period is $300* for up to two people.
The weekend (Friday - Saturday) nightly rate during this period is $350* for up to two people.
Additional adults are $60 per person, per night.
Additional children (16 years and under) are $30 per person, per night.
Infants under 6 months with their own portacot and bedding are free of charge.
*This rate applies for stays of two nights or more.
Single Night Stays:
Where single-night stays are available on the online booking calendar, a higher nightly rate applies. This is to reflect the additional servicing time/costs that single-night stays incur.
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.
3.1 Your 10% deposit (or 10% of the value of your stay if you have paid in full) is non-refundable, however it can be transferred to another booking made within 12 months of the date of confirmation of your original booking, if you cancel your stay more than 21 Days prior to your check-in time.
3.2 Cancellation or date changes by you that are between 3 and 21 Days prior to your check-in time will result in 50% of the total cost of your stay being charged. Cancellation or date changes made 3 Days (72 hours) or less prior to your check-in time will result in 100% of the total cost of your stay being charged.
3.3 Date changes made more than 21 Days prior to your check-in time are allowed without forfeit of any amounts paid.
3.4 Force Majeure
You are entitled to a full refund if you need to cancel for the following reasons:
Road closure. If at 1pm on the day before your arrival, a road on your route to your accommodation is designated by Waka Kotahi as closed or for essential travel only, and there is no detour, or the detour adds more than two hours to your travel according to the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.
Metservice RED Weather Warning. If at 1pm on the day before your arrival, the Metservice has issued a RED warning/forecast in either your home region or the region of your accommodation, for either the day of your arrival or departure.
Natural disasters in New Zealand. Natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and other severe and abnormal natural events causing large scale disruption of essential services and/or transport, specifically impacting your travel to or from your accommodation.
4.1 Exceptional or unforeseen circumstance
Hosts reserve the right to cancel a booking at any time in the event of exceptional or unforeseen circumstances. This right will only be exercised in good faith and in exceptional circumstances such as:
(a) Any alteration to the property or its surroundings which may pose a safety risk for the guest.
(b) Unexpected damage or destruction at the property.
(c) A death in the Host family.
(d) Our relationship with the Host ends for any other reason.
In the unlikely event a Host cancels under this clause, the guest may elect to receive a full refund or to credit the booking to another available date or Escape. The Host’s liability will be limited to the refund of amounts paid for any part of your stay that is cancelled.
4.2 Cancellation for breach
Hosts may terminate a booking at any time if they, or we, reasonably believe that there is, or has been, a breach of these Booking Conditions by you or any guest or visitor. Where a Host cancels under this clause, all amounts paid are forfeited and, where such termination occurs during the rental period, you and all guests and visitors must immediately leave the property.
5.1 Accommodation is often situated on working farms and there are hazards both natural and man-made. You accept that you, and any guests or visitors, enter the property at your own risk.
5.2 Participation by you and any guests or visitors in activities, such as, outdoor baths, climbing trees, walking on the property and any other activity on the property, is done so at your and their own risk.
5.3 To the extent permitted by law, neither we nor the Host accept any liability for accident, loss of property or personal injury during 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.
8.1 Guests have a licence to occupy the Property for the paid holiday period only. You are responsible for ensuring that you and they arrive no earlier than the check-in date, and leave no later than the check-out time, specified on the Website.
8.2 You are required to, and must ensure that all guests and any approved day visitors, observe the rules and procedures in relation to the property:
8.3 You must, and must ensure that all guests and any approved visitors, take all reasonable and proper care of the property and its furniture, fittings and effects and leave them in the same state of repair, condition, cleanliness and tidiness as at the commencement of the rental period. Where the property has not been left in the same state of repair, condition, cleanliness and tidiness as at the commencement of the rental period, you will be required to pay an additional cleaning cost of $100 which may be charged to the credit or debit card used at the time of booking.
8.4 You are required to inform Canopy Camping Escapes of any damage or breakage occurring during the rental period in or around the property promptly so that it can be repaired and replaced for the next booking. You must reimburse the Host for the reasonable costs of replacement or repair of any damage caused by you or any guests or visitors and such costs may be charged to the credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) used at the time of booking.
8.5 You must ensure that any access information in relation to a property (including any access codes, location of keys, etc) is kept confidential and not disclosed to any person.
8.6 Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the properties.
8.7 The Host may access the property during the rental period to the extent reasonably necessary to undertake repairs or replacement or where we or the Host have reason to believe these Booking Terms are not being complied with.
8.8 The number of guests staying at the Escape overnight must be the same as the number of guests included in the booking. Any day visitors must be approved by the Host prior to your stay. No overnight visitors are permitted.
8.9 You and all guests and any approved day visitors must behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner with due respect to the Host, the Property, other guests and neighbouring properties and neighbours, and Canopy Camping Escapes’ staff and representatives.
If you have any complaints, please contact us promptly at [email protected] with details of the complaint. As the agent of the Hosts we will be the initial contact between you and the Host but may need to put you in direct contact to resolve any issues.
To the extent permitted by law, as agent for the Hosts, we have no liability, to you or any other person, in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise:
Your rights are against the Host, not Canopy Camping Escapes.
If, for any reason, Canopy Camping Escapes has any liability to you under or in relation to these Booking Terms or your stay, to the extent permitted by law, our liability is limited to the 20% of the amount paid by you in relation to the relevant booking.
Any liability the Host has to you under or in relation to these Booking Conditions or your stay is, to the extent permitted by law, limited to refund of amounts paid by you for the relevant booking and shall not extend to any other costs or loss incurred by you or any guest or other person.
Gift vouchers expire if not redeemed within 2 years of purchase. If a booking paid for using a gift voucher is cancelled, any refund will be by way of a gift voucher with the same expiry date as the original gift voucher. Gift vouchers are not refundable or redeemable for cash and cannot be transferred or on-sold.
These Booking Conditions are governed by New Zealand law and the New Zealand courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
We may amend these Booking Conditions at any time. Any changes shall apply to bookings made from the date of such changes. You are responsible for familiarising yourself with these Booking Conditions each time you make a booking.
Highfield River Retreat is self-catering. Just bring your own food, and cook meals using the facilities provided in your private camp kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
The nearest shop selling necessities is Kaihu Motors - an 8-minute drive away. There is also a Countdown Supermarket in Dargaville, 25 minutes away.
Kaihu Tavern, just 5 minutes away is a great place to have a meal if you want a night off cooking!
Lie in your steaming hot bath and listen to the sound of the river, and the birds flitting through the Totara trees... Battle it out over a family board game, or explore the farm on foot. Highfield Farm also has walking tracks going through some beautiful QE II protected forests on the property.
At the end of the day, enjoy toasting marshmallows over the coals of the brazier.
There's plenty to do off the property as well. Visit Trounson Kauri Park to take in the magnificent kauri trees, or visit the Kai Iwi lakes. Check out Nelson's Kauri Shop and Mill at Kaihu, just down the road and stop off on your way home for a drink and delicious meal at the Kaihu Tavern.
Tracy and Simon Hayward are the owners and farmers of Highfield Farm. They'll be your hosts during your stay.
Tracy, Simon and their 5 children bought Highfield Farm in 2004. It's a dairy farm, milking 160 cows, and covering 90 hectares of farmland. A further 70 bush-covered hectares of the property were put into QEII protection by Tracy and Simon, along with a section of land on either side of the main river that runs through the property. Highfield Forest Retreat is nestled in a part of the QEII protected part of the farm.
With the combined effort of Hancocks Forestry, Northern Regional Council and DOC, Tracy and Simon have been trapping pests on their QEII block and up the valley. Through 'kiwi listening' they have established that they now have a moderate population of kiwi - which they look forward to seeing grow annually.
The Haywards felt that there was no better way to share what they've achieved on their farm, than by inviting people to stay on it. In March 2015 they purchased a 100+ year old kauri hut and started developing their first 'forest retreat' glamping site to open in December that same year. In 2016, they opened 'river retreat', their second glamping site.
It is an amazing and stunning place to relax! My family and I really enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it!
"Elena Nazarova - 09 Oct 2024
1 / 12
We loved our stay here! By far the best anniversary trip yet! Such an amazing little piece of paradise Tracy and Simon have built here. I can't wait to come back one day!
"Janaya Hafoka - 03 Oct 2024
2 / 12
Wonderful stay in truly beautiful and idyllic surroundings. Great for a peaceful getaway and a tech detox! Wildlife is everywhere, and the river is amazing. Make sure you load up on enough supplies to last your trip, so you don't have to leave. Enjoy!
"Tim Blower - 30 Sep 2024
3 / 12
Fantastic setting, peaceful, tranquil, and romantic.
"Brittany Fitness - 17 Sep 2024
4 / 12
Fabulous getaway into nature. Phones off. Bathing under the stars was a 10/10 experience. Hearing the kiwi in the morning was so special. Would definitely stay again.
"Briar Abbott - 16 Sep 2024
5 / 12
Derryn Maxwell - 20 Aug 2024
6 / 12
Perfect place to getaway to recharge.
"Amber O'Connor - 31 Jul 2024
7 / 12
I wasn't sure it was sensible to book a mid-winter glamping stay in a tent, but Highfield River Retreat was perfect. With gas heating in the kitchen and dining area, a log fire (and hot water bottles!) in the tent, we were always cosy. With no cell coverage or Wi-Fi, we read books, played board games, and caught up on sleep. Highly recommended; we'd love to go back.
"Sarah Shaw - 15 Jul 2024
8 / 12
Lovely and amazing stay! Bird sounds, nature, the sound of the river, cosy and perfect for enjoying a glass of wine while sitting next to the fireplace, or taking an outdoor bath and looking at the stars.
"Javier Andres Linares Moreno - 01 Jul 2024
9 / 12
Great host and a wonderful escape.
"- 02 May 2024
10 / 12
We had the most glorious stay at Highfield River Retreat! So nice to disconnect with the world and spend quality time together. It was the perfect couples' escape.
"- 16 Apr 2024
11 / 12
Stunning setting and facilities. Wish we booked more nights. My wife enjoyed it so much she cried when we left!
"- 19 Feb 2024
12 / 12
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