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Big Tin Shed

Big Tin Shed

Mangawhai, Northland

Big Tin Shed is 1.5 hours from Auckland City and just 5 minutes from Mangawhai township.

Set on 50 acres of peaceful farmland, this spacious two-bedroom retreat sleeps up to four adults, making it a lovely choice for a special occasion, couples’ getaway or relaxed weekend away with friends. Wide-open views stretch across the surrounding paddocks, framed by pine forest in one direction and the distant Brynderwyn Ranges beyond. Also on the same farm is Little Tin Shed, another great getaway designed for couples.

Inside, warm timber, beautifully considered furnishings and generous living spaces give the house a relaxed country-luxe feel. There’s a full kitchen, large dining area, cosy lounge and wood burner, while wide doors open onto covered decks made for morning coffees, long lunches and golden-hour drinks.

Just a stone’s throw from the house, an outdoor bath and shower offer another way to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Spend your evenings around the fire pit, make pizzas in the wood-fired oven, wander through the garden, or simply soak up the stillness.

It feels wonderfully tucked away, yet Mangawhai’s beaches, cafés and township are only minutes down the road.

Last updated 15 Sept 2026

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

Big Tin Shed is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the four-burner gas hob, gas oven, wood-fired pizza oven and a brazier in the fire pit with a hotplate. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

If you want a break from cooking at any stage, Mangawhai is just a 5-minute drive away and has a variety of cafes to choose from. Bennetts Cafe or Brewed As are recommended by your hosts for brunch. The Mangawhai Tavern or Gringas Street Food are both good spots for dinner.

If you're after somewhere for dinner for a special occasion, head to Oceans Restaurant at Te Arai Links. Mangawhai also has a Four Square and a New World supermarket for stocking up on supplies.

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

An outdoor bath under the stars, outdoor lounging with a fire, and endless space to unwind. Big Tin Shed is a retreat that has it all, indoors and out.

Why not explore all that Mangawhai has to offer and head to the beach, the market, or explore the local wineries? The Mangawhai Cliff Top Walk is known as one of the best coastal walks in New Zealand and a must-do if you're visiting the area. You can access this from Mangawhai Heads Surf Beach. Head in for a dip in the ocean afterwards!

For something a little less active and a little more decadent, visit Bennetts of Mangawhai - home of delicious hand-crafted chocolate.

Another weekend-must-do is the Mangawhai Tavern Markets.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Julia, Tim and Remi the orange Cavoodle are your hosts at Big Tin Shed.

Julia and Tim both grew up and lived in Mangawhai their entire lives, so when the opportunity came up in 2019, purchasing the property and building Little Tin and Big Tin Shed felt like the natural next step. They love having the freedom of 50 acres of space, yet only being 5 minutes from the bustling town of Mangawhai. The local beaches are amazing, and they both have a love for all things outdoors.

Tim is a beekeeper and also works as a shepherd on local farms, while he and Julia run their 50 acres as a hobby farm. They aim to keep things as organic as possible, using no sprays anywhere on the property and growing many of their own vegetables.

Julia was a flight attendant for 6 years, until being made redundant in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. It was a chance to reset, and she poured her energy into creating her first escape, Little Tin Shed. With her love for interior decorating and hosting guests, it was the perfect opportunity to create a space where she could welcome like-minded glamping guests to their slice of New Zealand paradise.

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