Highfield River Retreat

Highfield River Retreat

Northland

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 $270

  • Sleeps 4
  • 
            Children welcome
      Children welcome

Directions

Highfield River Retreat

What time is check in and check out?

WHAT ARE THE BED AND BEDDING ARRANGEMENTS?

WHAT ARE THE KITCHEN AND COOKING FACILITIES?

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WHAT SORT OF HEATING IS THERE?

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HOW PRIVATE AND REMOTE IS highfield river retreat?

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MINIMUM STAY PERIODS

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GIFT VOUCHERS

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  • Eating and Drinking

    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!

  • Things To Do

    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.

  • Your Hosts

    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.

Testimonials

  • "

    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 / 11

  • "

    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 / 11

  • "

    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 / 11

  • "

    Fantastic setting, peaceful, tranquil, and romantic.

    "

    Brittany Fitness - 17 Sep 2024

    4 / 11

  • "

    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 / 11

  • "

    Perfect place to getaway to recharge.

    "

    Amber O'Connor - 31 Jul 2024

    6 / 11

  • "

    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

    7 / 11

  • "

    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

    8 / 11

  • "

    Great host and a wonderful escape.

    "

    - 02 May 2024

    9 / 11

  • "

    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

    10 / 11

  • "

    Stunning setting and facilities. Wish we booked more nights. My wife enjoyed it so much she cried when we left!

    "

    - 19 Feb 2024

    11 / 11

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