Fantail Stories cabin is set on Great Barrier Island - a 40-minute flight from Auckland, or a 4.5-hour ferry ride. The cabin is situated in Cape Barrier valley in the Tryphena area of Great Barrier Island - 10 minutes drive from the Tryphena ferry terminal or 25 minutes from the Great Barrier Aerodrome. A 4WD vehicle will be required for the access road to the hut.
Nestled into beautiful subtropical native bush, the cabin is totally secluded - and feels a million miles away from the madness of the city. The trees teem with birds. Kaka, tui, morepork, fantails, wood pigeons and many more, live and feed in the pristine bush.
The cabin is separated by a dividing wall into two areas - a large bedroom area containing a comfortable queen-size bed, and the other, a small kitchenette with a window bar and stools for indoor dining. A large deck has a pergola with shade cloth, and an outdoor table and chairs. A stunning outdoor bath and shower is a gorgeous feature at the other end of the deck.
Whether you're looking for an escape or a place to base yourself while exploring the Great Barrier Island, Fantail Stories offers so much more than just accommodation... The atmosphere, peace, tranquillity and connection to nature, combine to create an experience you'll remember for many years to come.
FROM $280 p/n
A $50 Single Night Surcharge applies on top of the nightly rate when booking a single night. You will need to add this charge during the booking process. The calendar below will specify where one-night bookings are allowed.
67 Cape Barrier Road, Great Barrier Island 0991
You can get to Great Barrier Island either by air or sea.
Barrier Air flies from Auckland Airport, North Shore Airport of Kaitaia Airport to the Aerodrome on Great Barrier Island. Fantails Stories is a 25-minute drive from the Aerodrome.
SeaLink has ferry services that leave from Hamer St, Wynyard Quarter in Auckland and sail to Tryphena Wharf on Great Barrier Island. This ferry terminal is a 10-minute drive from Fantail Stories.
Once you're on the island, you have several options to get to Fantail Stories:
Fantail Stories Pick Up/Drop Off Service
Your host, Nina, offers a pick up/drop off service which can be ordered during the online booking process. You might wish to explore the island while you're there however and there are a number of options including using a shuttle service, hiring a car or motorbike, or hiring electric bikes.
Car Hire
There are a number of car hire places on Great Barrier Island. If you choose to hire a car, you can arrange for the car to be waiting for you at either the wharf or the Aerodrome. We highly recommend hiring a 4WD Toyota Rav4 for managing the driveway and other unsealed roads on the island.
Shuttle Service
There are also a number of taxi and shuttle services that you can book to get from place to place on Great Barrier Island.
From Airport (drive time 30 minutes):
From Tryphena Ferry Terminal (drive time 10 minutes)
Check-in: 3pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check-out: 10am
Depending on your flight or ferry times to the island and when the current or departing guests are coming or going, your hosts may be able to provide some flexibility with check-in or check-out times. Check with them once you receive your pre-arrival email 5 days before your stay.
Fantail Stories is perfect for a couple. The queen-sized bed has a 100% natural down duvet inner and 100% cotton sheets and pillowcases. There are extra cosy throws and blankets in the cabin, mostly for outside throws.
A kitchenette is inside the cabin with a small bench, sink and bar fridge. A hooded gas barbeque with an additional side burner and a single indoor gas hob are available for cooking. All the pots, pans and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided.
Some pantry basics are supplied - salt, pepper, olive oil, plunger coffee, tea and white sugar.
The bathroom facilities include an outdoor bathtub and a fantastic outdoor shower heated by a gas califont.
The toilet is situated outside the cabin in an enclosed space, with an attractive and pleasant-to-use Bamboo Loo (composting toilet). There's an outdoor basin on the back of the toilet wall, with hot and cold water.
Towels are provided.
Fantail Stories has a modern solar setup which powers the lighting and fridge. USB ports are provided for charging devices during the day when the sun is shining!
Mobile reception is weak at the cabin. A 10 min drive to the local store will get you good reception with Spark and the north of the island has good reception with Vodafone.
USB ports are provided for charging devices during the day when the sun is shining!
Heating isn't required during the summer months. At cooler times of the year, a coal range stove is available for keeping it cosy, and extra blankets are provided.
No, due to the fire risk on Great Barrier Island, there are no outdoor fires allowed at Fantail Stories.
Fantail Stories is open for stays during winter, 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!
The fully enclosed cabin has warm bedding and a coal range, plus lots of other elements to make your stay cosy and atmospheric. Note that there is an outdoor bathroom, so if you book a stay during the colder months of the year, bring your sense of adventure and be prepared for the elements!
Fantail Stories is ideal for couples, but children and infants are welcome if parents can bring their own beds and bedding.
Fantail Stories has a 'no dog' policy.
If you're looking for dog-friendly glamping, check out some of our other Canopy Camping Escapes sites that welcome dogs - you can select the 'dog-friendly' filter in the search bar to easily find them.
Fantail Stories is completely secluded and private. You're tucked away in your own little piece of paradise.
You will need a 4WD to drive up the gravel road to the property. Once you're there, you'll see a car parking sign to show you where to park your car. This is a very secure part of the property. From here, you will start a short 200-metre walk to the cabin, which takes about 5-minutes. Your hosts can bring your bags to the cabin. You're welcome to come and go from the property as often as you please.
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and Fantail Stories 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.
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 for Fantail Stories.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for Fantail Stories.
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 $280* for up to 2 people.
Children and infants are allowed if parents can bring their bed (or portacot) and bedding, 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.
Pick-up/Drop-off Service
Your hosts Chris and Julia can pick you up from either the ferry terminal or the airport, and drop you off when it's time to leave.
Tryphena Ferry Terminal - $40 Return
Great Barrier Aerodrome (Claris) - $100 Return
Surf Lessons
Your host, Chris, is a qualified Surfing Instructor and can tailor a lesson for any skill level. Surf lessons are two hours in duration and include surfboard, wetsuit and optional transport.
Individual Surf Lesson - $200
Couples Surf Lesson - $300
Private Couples Yoga Session - $100
Yoga lessons are 1 hour in duration and lessons will take place at the cabin (the yoga instructor will come to the cabin).
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.
is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the gas cooktop and BBQ provided in your kitchenette. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
If you want a break from cooking, you'll find Tipi and Bob's Restaurant and Irish Pub ’The Currach’ (both 10-minutes away), and the My Fat Puku cafe, 30-minutes away in Claris.
If you need to pop out for supplies, the Stonewall Store is a 10-minute drive away.
Restful and restorative, Fantail Stories is the ideal place to base yourself while exploring Great Barrier Island.
The cabin itself has a range of games, some books, yoga mats for guest use and of course, the outdoor bath to while away the hours. But if you're keen to get out and about, there are lots of sights to see - and some fun ways to see them!
Motu Bikes is an electric motorbike hire company. The bikes have a moped classification so anyone can hire and ride them. Or if you're keen to explore via water - the Shiny Paua has stand-up paddleboards and kayaks for hire.
Your host Chris is a qualified surf instructor and offers private lessons with board and wetsuit, so if you've ever had the urge to try surfing, this is the perfect opportunity! Or, if you're already a surfer, Chris has boards and wetsuits for hire. Check the Rates and Extras button for more information.
One of the highlights of the island is the Kaitoke Hotsprings - a 40-minute drive away and easy 45-minute walk to the natural springs.
Chris is your hosts at Fantail Stories. Chris is a Kiwi with a love of hunting, fishing and surfing. For the last 7 years, he's been cruising the world - working on super-yachts and enjoying stints of being a surf and dive instructor. Chris fell head over heels for Great Barrier island - and is thrilled to now own his slice of paradise there.
He loves the off-the-grid lifestyle on Great Barrier - using the sun for power, rain and spring for water and our trees for heating, all gifts from generous mother nature. Their self-sufficiency and sustainable living have created a healthier and happier lifestyle that he now enjoys, with frequent visits from his daughter Ro and her mother JJ.
We loved our stay at Fantail Stories. It is a magical place on a beautiful island and we'll definitely be back!
"- 07 Nov 2023
1 / 7
A beautiful spot in paradise! We had the best time here and will definitely be back!
"- 01 Apr 2023
2 / 7
Amazing and tranquil stay with an awesome host. Perfect place to base yourself for Great Barrier Island adventures.
"- 08 Mar 2023
3 / 7
Beautiful space for a getaway!
"- 01 Mar 2023
4 / 7
Absolutely stunning little haven away. Great hosts, 10 out of 5 stars!
"- 21 Feb 2023
5 / 7
This was an incredible experience. From the cosy cabin the serene setting, to the more than hospitable host. I couldn't recommend this place more. If you haven't been to the Barrier, you MUST. It's rugged and raw, yet also completely compelling and stunning. Fantail Stories is such a wonderful place to set out on your journeys and return back to relax and unwind. 11/10!
"- 13 Feb 2023
6 / 7
This is the place for you if you want to feel like you're staying in the middle of the stunning bush on Great Barrier Island, but with the comfort of a nice and well setup cabin.
"- 09 Jan 2023
7 / 7
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