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
Horses welcome
254 Darts Rd, Windwhistle 7572
Rockwood Station is set just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Christchurch in the Canterbury Region. The Google Maps directions to get there are accurate.
Check-in: 4pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check-out: 10am
The summer house has a king-size bed sleeping a couple. Full top-quality linen, towels and bedding are supplied.
The Summerhouse has full kitchen facilities, with running hot water and a dishwasher. A small fridge is provided for cool storage.
There is an electric oven and cooktop provided for cooking, plus a Nespresso machine for coffee. There is a BBQ, fire and fire-pit located outside.
The Summerhouse bathroom facilities include a luxurious bath, basin and vanity and flushing toilet. The bathroom is accessed from the deck - so you will be exposed to the weather when popping in and out of the toilet etc.
Please note that the Summerhouse does not have a shower.
Yes! The Summerhouse is connected to mains power, and devices can be charged inside.
Mobile phone reception is very limited at The Summerhouse. Devices can be charged inside.
A wood-burner keeps The Summerhouse cosy and atmospheric in the winter months. An electric heater is also provided for a quick warm-up when it's needed.
Yes. Rockwood Station has a designated outdoor fire area which is a great place to relax with a glass of wine and a bag of marshmallows at the end of the day. It is dependent on the time of year and conditions though, and at certain times of the year will be unavailable due to higher than normal fire risk. Your hosts will let you know if there is a fire-ban in place when you are visiting.
Rockwood Station 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!
Rockwood Station has lots of warm bedding, an electric blanket, 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!
Rockwood Station is not suitable for children and is a strictly adults-only site. The one exception to this rule is for non-mobile babies under 6 months with BYO bedding and portacot. If you are bringing your non-mobile baby, you'll need to mention this in the comments box when you book.
If you're looking for a safe family-friendly glamping site, select the family icon in the search bar on our 'find your escape' page to easily find them.
The Summerhouse at Rockwood Station has a 'no dog' policy (with no exceptions).
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.
However, horses are welcome at The Summerhouse. There is a paddock just below the Rockwood Homestead where they can be housed during your stay for a charge of $15 per horse per night.
The Summerhouse is set in a quiet secluded area on the edge of the beautiful 100-acre bush area of Rockwood Station, about 200 metres from the Rockwood Homestead. It is not visible from the Homestead and is very private.
Please note that there is a family cemetery located approximately 100m from The Summerhouse, nestled on the edge of the bushland, surrounded by a white picket fence. It holds significant historical value to the host's family, dating back to the late 1860s.
You can drive your car right up to The Summerhouse and park nearby for easy coming and going.
In winter, or when the weather is particularly wet (or snowy) for a car, you may need to park at the homestead gate and walk the 200 metres to the Summer House. Alternatively, if it's accessible via four-wheel drive, your host Ben can drive you there.
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and The Summerhouse 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.
To avoid any surprises, please note there's a family cemetery located about 100m from The Summerhouse. It's nestled on the edge of the bushland, surrounded by a white picket fence. It holds historical significance dating back to the late 1860s for the host's family.
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 Rockwood Station - The Summerhouse.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for Rockwood Station - The Summerhouse.
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 $335* for up to two people.
Infants under 6 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 homestead (not far from The Summer House) for a cost of $15 per horse, per night. Floats can be parked in the same 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 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 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.
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!
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.
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!
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
1 / 12
Had a lovely, relaxing time in such a beautiful setting. Loved hearing the birds and the sounds of nature.
"Alison Harrington - 13 Sep 2024
2 / 12
ZANE JAMIESON - 12 Aug 2024
3 / 12
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
4 / 12
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
5 / 12
Simply wow! A wonderful location, superb accommodation, and relaxing surroundings. Just book it. The Washpen Falls is also a must-do.
"James Smith - 07 May 2024
6 / 12
We had a lovely stay at The Summerhouse. It was the most perfect cosy weekend away!
"- 16 Apr 2024
7 / 12
It was a great couple of days to get away from the rat race and enjoy time with my new wife.
"- 01 Apr 2024
8 / 12
I have stayed here multiple times now and enjoy it for its tranquillity and simplicity. The Summerhouse is a cosy refuge that allows one to feel nestled in seclusion. My stay this time was memorable for the deafening bellbirds throughout the day (the host says this time of year is particularly noisy as juvenile birds flock together), and the walks through the bush (despite damage from storms of the last year).
"- 01 Apr 2024
9 / 12
Wonderful setting, very clean and well presented. We loved the birds.
"- 27 Mar 2024
10 / 12
Loved the bath and bush walk. Friendly host helped make our stay a memorable introduction to NZ.
"- 15 Mar 2024
11 / 12
The Summerhouse is in the most serene location, with a forest, a creek, and wildlife. The house is very comfortable and beautifully furnished. Come prepared with good food and a bottle of wine, swimmers for a creek dip, and walking shoes to walk the forest tracks.
"- 12 Mar 2024
12 / 12
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