Bird's Eye View Lodge is set on Berwyn Farm in South Canterbury. It's about 20 minutes from Timaru and just under 3 hours drive from Christchurch.
Bird's Eye View Lodge is a true kiwi back country hut adventure - without the two day tramp to get there! While slightly more basic in its facilities than some of our other glamping locations, this hut is an experience like no other.
Transported by your host Gerry, in a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you'll climb slowly over half an hour, up through the stunning scenery of the farm. When you get there, you'll find a place of incredible magic.
Sitting at the very top of the Hunter Hills, often above the clouds, the lodge has breath-taking panoramic views stretching from the Fairlie Basin, the Port Hills, Canterbury Plains and coastline, to Mt Hutt, and the Southern Alps. At night, the clear night sky, completely free of light pollution, is a spectacle of stars and planets.
The lodge itself is comfortable, cosy and atmospheric. Filled with curiosities and olde world finds, you'll almost feel like you've stepped back in time.
Once you're at the lodge, you'll be there until Gerry is back to collect you... But you'll find plenty to keep you entertained! The farm has some fantastic walking - with wildlife like deer and wallabies to spot. Mountain bikers are welcome to bring their bikes to explore the farm on wheels. Or simply cosy up with a good book, a board game and a glass of wine by the fire.
FROM $340 p/n
Includes 4x4 transfers to lodge
Child Friendly
Winter Escape
Make sure you download or print this info sheet with directions and host contact details prior to your journey. You may not have mobile reception at all times.
Berwyn Farm, 3292 Back Line Rd, Otaio 7971
Bird's Eye View Lodge is just under 3 hours from Christchurch city. It's well positioned for a stop over if you're heading down the coast towards The Caitlins or Dunedin. Follow the Google Maps directions to get there.
Check in - after 3pm
Check out - 11am
Bird's Eye View Lodge is a large, single-room, hut with a loft at either end of the space. In one loft area there is one king-sized bed. An additional two queen-sized beds are side-by-side in the loft area at the opposite end. Bedlinen, towels and bedding are supplied.
We think the Bird's Eye View best suits either a couple, a small group of friends (perfect for a girls weekend) or a family of up to 6.
The hut kitchen is fully equipped with all the pots, cutlery and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating. There are 2 gas elements inside and a bbq outside for cooking.
A chilly bin is supplied for cold food storage with chilly pads provided on arrival. Cold running water is provided. For hot water, you'll need to heat a pot on the gas element or wood-burner.
Pantry basics of salt and pepper, tea, coffee, sugar and milk are provided.
Bird's Eye View is a true back country hut experience - with no 'bathroom' as such. The toilet, is a traditional 'long drop' toilet, which is a 30m walk from the hut down a grassy slope (this is reasonably rough terrain so care will need to be taken).
There is no shower at Bird's Eye View, but there is an outdoor bath with an incredible view. Water for the bath is heated by gas bottles and burners.
There is no power at Bird's Eye View Lodge. Light is provided at night via gas lanterns.
Mobile phone reception is available at Bird's Eye View Lodge.
Bird's Eye View Lodge has a wood-burner and plenty of wood provided for heating.
Bird's Eye View Lodge 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!
Bird's Eye View Lodge has lots of warm bedding, a wood-burner in the lodge, and lots of other elements to 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 Bird's Eye View Lodge although please note the safety considerations, for example, that the loft beds are accessed by ladders.
Bird's Eye View Lodge is a strictly 'no dog' property (with no exceptions). Horses are not suitable to bring to Bird's Eye View Lodge.
At the very top of The Hunter Hills, at an altitude of 3200 feet, Bird's Eye View Lodge is about as private and remote as it is possible to get.
You'll be escorted to Bird's Eye View Lodge by your host Gerry, in his 4-wheel drive vehicle. This journey will take about half an hour, and you'll see some beautiful farmland on your way.
Note that once you're at Bird's Eye View Lodge, you'll be there until Gerry comes to collect you again on the day you depart.
Cars are parked at the homestead, and you'll be escorted to the hut by Gerry in his 4-wheel drive vehicle.
No, due to the fire risk, there are no campfires allowed at Bird's Eye View Lodge.
Berwyn Farm is a working high country farm, so for the safety of all concerned it’s very important to follow the safety guidelines and terms that you’ll find in our booking terms and in your onsite guide. These terms and guidelines include:
No - the minimum length booking for Birds Eye View is two nights with no exceptions.
There is a two night minimum stay all year round.
One night stays can only be booked with a single night surcharge of $200 when there is a one night gap between bookings. Email us if you're keen on this option.
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.
All year round:
$340 per night for up to two people.
$50 per night per extra person (adult or child), up to a total of six people.
Single night surcharge of $200 per night applies to any one night stays (these can only be made when there is a one night gap between other bookings)
***Please note, during the Winter months (June, July, August, September) your stay may be not be able to proceed due to weather (snow, ice etc). If this happens, you'll be given the option to postpone or be refunded.***
Give the gift of glamping! Gift Vouchers can be used 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.
1.1 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 2.75% credit card payment surcharge will be applied to this payment.
1.2 On receipt of the deposit, you will receive an email confirming both the payment and your booking details.
1.3 The remaining balance will be due 4 weeks in advance of your arrival date. An email reminder will be sent to you 3 days prior to this date, where an outstanding balance remains. The reminder email gives you the option to pay the remaining balance by internet banking or, if your internet banking payment has not been received within 48 hours, the remaining balance will automatically be charged to the credit card used at the time of booking. Please note: a 2.75% 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 Bookings made within 4 weeks in advance of your arrival date will be charged the full balance at the time of booking (this may be processed in two payments).
1.5 If you are unable to pay the balance before the stated due date, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking will be cancelled.
1.6 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 2.75% credit card fee).
2.1 Some campsites may have limitations due to weather. If severe weather is forecast we will call you as soon as possible prior to your scheduled arrival date to advise you and cancel your booking. You can choose whether to defer your holiday to a later date subject to availability or receive a full refund.
2.2 Your 10% deposit is non-refundable, however it can be transferred to another booking made within a 12 month period, if your stay is cancelled more than 3 weeks prior to your arrival.
2.3 Cancellation by you within 4-21 days of your arrival date will result in 50% of the total cost of your stay being charged. Cancellation within 3 days of your arrival date will result in 100% of the total cost of your stay being charged.
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.
No pets allowed. Campsites are often situated on working farms, and therefore are not suitable for visiting pets.
GST of 15% (where applicable) is included in the daily per night cost. A GST invoice will be supplied if requested.
6.1 The 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 tent.
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, repair or extra cleaning costs where reasonably demanded by the owners for damage caused by the guests.
6.5 Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property.
6.6 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 consulation with Canopy Camping Escapes.
Bird's Eye View Lodge is self-catering. Just bring your own food and chilly-bin and cook your meals using the facilities provided in the lodge. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
Make sure you stock up supplies either before you leave or in Timaru prior to heading to Berwyn Farm.
Once you're at Bird's Eye View Lodge, you're there for the duration of your stay. But you won't run out of things to do!
Soak in the bath 'on top of the world' and gaze at the incredible views that surround you. Soak at night, and be mesmerised by the blanket of crystal clear stars above.
Hunker down in the lodge by the fire with good company and a good book, or battle it out over a board game.
If you want to get adventurous, explore the surrounding farmland on foot or wheels (if you bring your mountain bike).
Your hosts at Bird's Eye View Lodge on Berwyn Farm, are the warm and friendly, Gerry and Odette.
Bird's Eye View Lodge was built by Gerry and Odette some years ago, as a family wilderness escape on the farm. It was built from the timber milled from some macrocarpa trees on the property - trees that Gerry's father had planted when Gerry was just a boy.
When the trees were felled, they felt they wanted to do something special with them. The spot on the Hunter Hills, at the top corner of their property had always been thought of as the perfect place to build a hut - and the idea to create a family escape was born.
After years of family use, Gerry and Odette decided to open the lodge up to guests - and have loved sharing their special spot with others.
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Find your escape
Out of all the places we stayed in New Zealand for our 3 week holiday, this cottage was - hands down - the best stay of them all. The hosts, Gerry and Odette, are extremely welcoming and have a passion for hospitality/sharing their home with others. The drive up to the cottage was beautiful - driving through the farm's working sheep and cow paddocks. A real treat! However, nothing compares to wonderful isolation of the cottage. The views and wildlife are incredible. This place is a real treasure and we would definitely love to stay here again!
"Amy December 2017
Fantastic experience from start to finish. Warm welcome from our hosts, Odette n Gerry. A fun and steep 4wd trip up onto the mountain range with Gerry, who was an excellent driver and very informative about the land. The cabin is perfect with the right balance of luxury and rustic charm. Great fireplace, amazing views, and the outdoor bath is the pièce de resistance!!
"23 May 2018
Our time at Bird’s Eye View lodge was absolutely incredible. Jerry and Odette are the sweetest, most lovely people to deal with and there are no proper words to describe the beauty of the lodge and its surroundings. You must experience it!!!
"9 July 2018
This place is totally magical! We would recommend the Bird's eye View to everyone as we really enjoyed this experience! The hosts are so lovely and really made us feel welcomed and special. It is an experience that you will not find anywhere else and totally worth it! Just the ride to get to the Shack is an adventure in its self. Make sure you bring your own water, drinks and a lot of food as once you are there is no way to go back down (unless hiking) until the check-out time...Thanks again to Odette and Gerald for this amazing stay!
"7 July 2018