Rockwood Station - The Summerhouse

Rockwood Station - The Summerhouse

Windwhistle, Canterbury

The Summer House at Rockwood Station is just one hour and 15 minutes from Christchurch city and 25 minutes from both Darfield and Methven.

The Summer House was designed by hosts, Cheryl and Ben, to be a peaceful retreat... an oasis of calm for busy lives... Somewhere to switch off, unplug and soak up the natural surrounds of their stunning high country farm.

The accommodation consists of one large room with a bedroom and kitchen in one area and a separate lounging area. Large glass sliding doors open from the lounge onto the surrounding deck. A bathroom, with a luxurious, deep bathtub is accessed from the deck outside.

An outdoor fireplace and beautifully landscaped sitting area sit right next to the Rockwood Stream that runs immediately in front of the Summer House. You can hear the gentle flow of the water over the rocks as you sip your cool drink in the summer heat, or hot chocolate in the winter months.

The bird life surrounding the summer house is incredible. Bellbirds, wood pigeons, fantails and kingfishers are regular visitors. The bushwalk on the property takes you through 100 acres of native bush, and the beautiful woodland garden of the nearby, historical Rockwood homestead is a delight to explore

In the summer, enjoy a dip in the swimming holes up and down the river... In the winter, cosy up and tuck yourself away for a few days - maybe even enjoy some snowfall while you're there!

FROM $335 p/n

  • Sleeps 2
  • Horses welcome

Directions

Rockwood Station - The Summerhouse

What are the bed and bedding arrangements?

What are the kitchen and cooking facilities?

What are the bathroom facilities?

Is there power?

Is there mobile phone reception?

What sort of heating is provided?

Can I have an outdoor fire?

What is glamping like in Winter?

CAN CHILDREN STAY AT The Summerhouse?

Can I bring my dog or horse?

How private and remote is Rockwood Station?

What is the access like and where do I park my car?

Will I come across creatures and critters during my stay?

What do I need to bring?

Are there any safety considerations?

Can I book for one night only?

Minimum Stay Periods

Rates

Bring your horse

Gift Vouchers

1. Introduction

2. booking and payments

3. Guest cancellations and date changes

4. Host Cancellations

5. safety and hazards

6. pets

7. GST

8. conditions of occupancy and conduct

9. Complaints

10. Liability

11. Gift vouchers

12. Law

13. Changes to booking conditions

14. Authority to sign

  • Eating and Drinking

    Rockwood Station is self-catering. Just bring your own food and cook meals using the BBQ and facilities provided in the summer house kitchen. You'll find a Nespresso machine and 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!

  • Things to do

    The summer house at Rockwood Station is designed to immerse you in the surrounding nature - to 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. Rockwood Stream, which runs past the summer house has some swimming holes which are 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.

    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.

  • Your Hosts

    Ben is a 5th generation farmer in the Windwhistle area. His great, great grandfather Henry Phillips settled at Rockwood in 1851 after a 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 bush walk 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. 

    Cheryl has a keen interest in property and interior decoration, and over a couple of years, transformed the old working man’s hut into the wilderness retreat which is now the Summer House.

    Rockwood Station has a fascinating family history, and a beautiful homestead and old English garden. Ben and Cheryl have found immense satisfaction in restoring it to it's former glory, and regenerating the stunning native bush surrounds. Sharing this with guests is something they love!

Testimonials

  • "

    Such a beautiful setting and a special, uncompromising design and location that offers something different and serene.

    "

    Jill Campbell - 07 Apr 2025

    1 / 11

  • "

    Amazing break away from the big smoke. Nothing like the sound of a stream to help you sleep at night.

    "

    Trystan van der Geest - 16 Mar 2025

    2 / 11

  • "

    A beautiful location. No WiFi or cell signal which is perfect for a disconnect from the world.

    "

    Damon Wells - 09 Mar 2025

    3 / 11

  • "

    Utter perfection.

    "

    Steven Holland - 04 Feb 2025

    4 / 11

  • "

    We had a wonderful stay! The bush walk was great, and it was fantastic to completely switch off for a night with the only sounds being the creek running past the hut and the crackling fire. 10/10 would recommend.

    "

    Dan Hastings - 18 Jan 2025

    5 / 11

  • "

    Great place if you want to escape from civilisation and connectivity.

    "

    Sreejith Babu - 15 Jan 2025

    6 / 11

  • "

    We enjoyed the peace and tranquility of The Summerhouse. It was great to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

    "

    Simon Davies - 15 Nov 2024

    7 / 11

  • "

    Wonderful stay. Beautiful house set in the most incredible surroundings, all backed up by lovely hosts who couldn’t do enough to ensure we had a great stay.

    "

    Oliver Lynch - 12 Nov 2024

    8 / 11

  • "

    Had a lovely, relaxing time in such a beautiful setting. Loved hearing the birds and the sounds of nature.

    "

    Alison Harrington - 13 Sep 2024

    9 / 11

  • "

    Perfect spot for truly getting away from it all without having to travel too far. Beautiful setting and lovely accommodation. It was a bit unusual having a bath rather than a shower, but it did the trick and, in some ways, added to the sense of going off-grid. We are looking forward to returning.

    "

    Korina Kirk - 31 Jul 2024

    10 / 11

  • "

    Wonderfully relaxing place that was very clean, high spec and so nice to be close to the bush and bird song.

    "

    Diana Crawford - 20 May 2024

    11 / 11

Browse the Collection

Beautiful tents surrounded by nature, quirky cabins with packets of personality and secret hideaways that offer something completely unique... Explore the other places in our collection.

Find your escape