The Carriage at Rockwood Station is just one hour and 15 minutes from Christchurch city and 25 minutes from both Darfield and Methven.
In 2019, hosts Ben and Cheryl purchased an old goods carriage and set about lovingly restoring and transforming it into a unique glamping experience. The Carriage is the second glamping retreat the couple have created after their highly successful Summer House.
The Carriage sits in a spot where two streams join to create the Hororata River. The carriage runs parallel to the river with a large deck area that enjoys beautiful, expansive views to Mt Hutt. It's a place to switch off, unplug and soak up the natural surrounds of the stunning high country farm. As the sun sets, you'll enjoy amazing technicolour skies and stunning cloud formations.
The Carriage has two bedrooms. It's perfect for either two couples or a family with up to three children. The main bedroom with ensuite has a queen-sized bed and at the other end of the carriage, a second bedroom has a double bed. There is room for one more small child on a built-in single bed in the second bedroom.
With large glass doors in the kitchen and lounge area connecting you to the outdoors, The Carriage is a fantastic experience year-round. In the summer, explore the farm and enjoy a dip in the natural swimming hole in the river... The deck is a suntrap, the perfect place for a cool drink on a hot day. The outdoor dining area makes for a fantastic alfresco dining experience. In the winter, it's warm, cosy and oozing with atmosphere... And the ideal ski pad! Complete with utility room for ski gear - and a perfect view of the mountain to assess the conditions.
FROM $295 p/n
Children welcome
Horses welcome
Link Road off Darts Road, Windwhistle 7572
Rockwood Station is set just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Christchurch in the Canterbury Region. The Google Maps directions to get to Darts Road are accurate. Once you get to Darts Road, drive halfway up and turn right onto Link Rd (a shingle road). Drive for 200 meters and turn right through the gate. The Carriage is just ahead.
Check-in: between 4pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check-out: by 10am
The Carriage has two bedrooms. It's perfect for either two couples or a family with up to three children. The main bedroom has a queen-sized bed and at the other end of the carriage, a second bedroom has a double bed. There is room for one more small child on a built-in single bed in the second bedroom.
Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied. Sheets are 100% cotton and there is a goose feather and down duvets on the queen and double beds and a wool duvet inner for the single bed.
The kitchen has a solar-powered fridge with small freezer space, a gas camping stove with 3 rings and small oven is provided for cooking along with a Weber BBQ.
All the pots, pans and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided.
Some pantry basics are supplied - Olive oil, salt and pepper, tomato ketchup, balsamic vinegar, tea, coffee, sugar and a small bottle of milk.
The carriage has an ensuite bathroom by the main bedroom which has a shower, basin and flushing toilet.
There is also a second bathroom at the end of carriage accessed via a covered outdoor area. This has a bath, basin and flushing toilet.
The Carriage at Rockwood Station is fully off-grid with a solar system providing electricity. If it’s sunny, the system will be generating power. If it’s not sunny, you’ll be using power from the bank of batteries. While there should be plenty of electricity for your stay, you will need to conserve to avoid running out. You will also need to limit the number of appliances going at the same time, so the system doesn’t overload.
There is a generator (a quiet one) provided for periods of low-power generating weather.
Mobile phone reception is very limited at the carriage. You can access better reception if you walk out to Link Road or Darts Road. There are sockets available to charge devices.
A wood-burner keeps the carriage cosy and atmospheric in the winter months.
The carriage is open for winter stays, but bear in mind that you're booking a back-country escape - without the usual luxuries of a hotel or home. Glamping is still a form of camping!
There is lots of warm bedding, a wood-burner, 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 the carriage.
Infants under 12 months with their own portacot and bedding are free of charge.
The Carriage is strictly 'no dog' accommodation (with no exceptions), but horses are welcome for a charge of $15 per horse per night.
The carriage is set in a private spot on Rockwood Station, well away from any other buildings or structures.
You'll be able to drive right up to the carriage, where there is plenty of car-parking.
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and the Carriage at Rockwood Station 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.
Rockwood Station is a large sheep station. There are specific water hazards, such as the stream, and natural hazards found in the bush, such as sandflies and wasps. Care needs to be taken on the bush tracks as the ground is uneven and steep in parts. For your own safety please do not touch any machinery or other buildings or sheds on the property.
All Year Round:
There is a standard minimum stay period of 2 nights.
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.
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 outlined below for Rockwood Station - The Carriage.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for Rockwood Station - The Carriage.
All Year Round:
There is a standard minimum stay period of 2 nights.
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.
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.
All year round:
The nightly rate is $295* for up to two people
Additional adults are $50 per adult, per night
Additional children (16 years and under) are $25 per child, per night
Infants under 12 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.
Horses are kept in a designated paddock next to The Carriage for $15 per horse, per night. Floats can be driven down the gentle slope to The Carriage and there is a gate to access the paddock.
You are welcome to ride around the tracks and paddocks on the farm, they are low lying paddocks and riders will need to check with the hosts which paddocks can’t be used due to stock grazing.
The hosts can also arrange access to another block on the same road which has access to the Hororata River and a lovely spot to spend the day and have a picnic.
There is a maximum of two horses per booking.
Give the gift of glamping! Gift Vouchers can be used at any of our Canopy Camping Escapes glamping sites, including Rockwood Station. 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 encounter any issues or problems during your stay, you must first contact the Host to try to resolve the issue. The Host should be given the opportunity to address and fix the problem before any further steps are taken.
If you decide to leave the accommodation early due to an issue without first contacting the Host to resolve it, you will not be entitled to compensation. Essentially, if you don’t give the Host a chance to fix the problem, you cannot expect financial reimbursement for leaving early.
If you have a complaint that you'd like to alert Canopy Camping Escapes about after your stay, please contact us promptly at [email protected] with details of the complaint. As an agent, 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.
The carriage at Rockwood Station is self-catering. Just bring your own food and cook meals using the BBQ and facilities provided in the kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
If you want a break from cooking at any stage, the towns of Darfield or Methven are just 25 minutes away. Both the Dubliner in Methven and the Ski Time in Methven, come highly recommended!
The Carriage at Rockwood Station is a beautiful place to slow down - and completely relax and destress. If you do feel like getting active though, there's plenty to do.
On the property, explore the 100 acre bush, and the stunning country garden. There's a good road network on the farm too. Hororata River, which runs past the carriage has a natural swimming hole which makes a great place to cool off in the hot Canterbury summer.
In winter, hit the slopes! Mt Hutt is just 50 minutes from Rockwood Station and The Carriage has a special utility room for all your gear.
If you're a keen walker, there is plenty of great walking in the nearby Lake Coleridge area, with numerous tracks and walkways to choose from.
Rakaia Gorge has a jet boat company, Alpine Jet Thrills operating jet rides up the Rakaia Gorge about a 15-minute drive from Rockwood Station. There's a Riding School for keen horse riders just over the Rakaia Gorge Bridge and if clay bird shooting takes your fancy, Newzengland offers clay bird shooting and archery.
If you have ever wanted to try hot air ballooning, there are two operators in the area, Hot Air Adventures and Ballooning Canterbury.
For a relaxing afternoon, the More for You Beauty Salon on the main Street in Darfield offers massage and beauty therapy.
For the golfers - bring your clubs and visit the Hororata Golf Course in Glentunnel.
Ben is a 5th generation farmer in the Windwhistle area. His great, great grandfather Henry Phillips settled at Rockwood in 1851 after living in Phillipstown, Christchurch.
Cheryl, originally from Scotland, came to New Zealand in December 2003. She was introduced to Ben through a Scottish friend. In 2004, Cheryl came back to Rockwood to visit - and has been here ever since!
Ben and Cheryl married, and live in the homestead at Rockwood Station with their daughter, Emma. Over their time together at Rockwood, they've reinstated the bushwalk through the 100 acres of native bush on the property and embarked on a major bush care and regeneration project with the removal of wild sycamores from the property.
Rockwood Station has a fascinating family history, a beautiful homestead and old English garden. Ben and Cheryl have found immense satisfaction in restoring it to its former glory, and regenerating the stunning native bush surrounds. Sharing this with guests is something they love!
The location and the surroundings were very peaceful and the hosts Ben and Cheryl were amazing and very helpful. We enjoyed it so much that we will go back again for another stay.
"Graham Lawn - 29 Oct 2024
1 / 12
The picturesque blend of trees around the farm was a real highlight for us. The stay was really well suited to a couple or family - we have two young girls, the setting allowed us to relax and the girls play. One of our most fulfilling trips away in a long time, thank you.
"Michelle Tane - 24 Oct 2024
2 / 12
The Carriage is the perfect spot to escape for a few days. Wonderful accommodation in a stunning location!
"Kathryn Halligan - 30 Sep 2024
3 / 12
Such a beautiful little getaway spot.
"Paris Watson - 16 Sep 2024
4 / 12
Cosy and so peaceful! Nothing but birdsong and the river to listen to. Didn't want to leave.
"Andrea Chamberlin - 13 Sep 2024
5 / 12
Perfect place for a long weekend getaway!
"Ally Mullord - 31 Jul 2024
6 / 12
Lovely wee place to stay with the family if you enjoy living off-grid. I would love to see what it's like in summer as we had a winter escape. It was nice and cosy with plenty of warm bedding. The beers could be kept cold outside on the deck! Easy destination to get to, and Opuke, only 25 minutes down the road, was a real treat.
"Selena and Tom Newell - 24 Jul 2024
7 / 12
Such a beautiful secluded spot, we can’t wait to come back in summer to enjoy the outdoor living. Certainly did not want to leave.
"Jessica Johnston - 25 Jun 2024
8 / 12
Lovely, quirky accommodation in a beautiful setting. We loved the carriage and had everything we needed for our stay. We had rain when we were there, and it was the perfect place to be curled up by the log burner, reading and playing board games.
"Hannah Howarth - 22 May 2024
9 / 12
Being a train nut, I loved it. The hot bath was also great.
"Peter Pennell - 10 May 2024
10 / 12
The Carriage is the perfect location for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The facilities tick all the boxes, with everything you could need in a quirky and unique setup. The outdoor bathtubs were bliss, even in the chilly evenings! We chose to stay near the carriage this time, but there are so many exploration opportunities nearby, and we will most certainly be back!
"Emma Murphy - 07 May 2024
11 / 12
We stayed with our toddler, and it was wonderful! Plenty of space, all the facilities you need, and everything really nicely done, which made it feel like a luxury getaway. Highly recommend, and we'll definitely stay again.
"- 15 Mar 2024
12 / 12
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