The Shepherd's Hut at Washpen Falls is based at Windwhistle, and set on the same high country Canterbury farm that also hosts the famous Washpen Falls Adventure Walk. Just one hour from Christchurch, this magical accommodation makes for an easy and nature-filled glamping escape.
The hut is tucked into a private oasis on the property. Set right next to a pretty wildlife pond, it's surrounded by majestic pines - and beyond that, large, rolling deer paddocks. During the Summer months take the rowboat out on the pond, or even go for a dip, a welcome respite from the Canterbury heat. In winter, the frost and occasional snowfall transforms the surrounds into a winter wonderland.
Oozing atmosphere, the accommodation is a fully-self contained traditional English Shepherd's Hut. There is an ensuite bathroom and kitchen inside the hut and an outdoor kitchen space for summer cooking and dining. A deep and luxurious wood-fired hot tub is nestled to the front of the Shepherd's Hut on the banks of the pond.
Nature abounds at Washpen Falls. During the 'roar season' keep an eye out for wild deer meandering close by to the campsite. Ducks love to take shelter on the pond and wood pigeons are often flying about. The bird song at Washpen Falls is extraordinary.
FROM $335 p/n
590 Washpen Rd, Windwhistle 7572
Washpen Falls is a 50-minute drive from Christchurch Airport, one hour from Christchurch City and 20 minutes from the Mt Hutt access road. It is also perfectly positioned geographically for a stopover to or from Queenstown, Wanaka and beyond. Follow the Google Maps directions to get the address.
You will receive a pre-arrival email with detailed arrival instructions and your host's contact details 5 days prior to your stay.
Note: If you have booked within 5 days and haven't received a pre-arrival email shortly after booking, please email us at [email protected].
Check in - 3pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check out - 10.30am
The hut sleeps two people in a built-in, slightly elevated queen-size bed. Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied. The sheets are high quality, 100% cotton. The duvet has a woollen inner, with a comforter and extra blanket supplied if needed.
The Shepherd's Hut comes complete with its own well-designed, compact kitchen - perfect for rainy or wintery weather. Inside the hut are two gas hobs and a small cast-iron oven which can be used on top of the woodburner (not recommended for use in summer).
There is bench space for food preparation and hot water for dishes. You'll find all the pots, pans, crockery, cutlery and utensils you'll need to cook. A small fridge is supplied for cool food storage. The hut also has a comfortable built-in dining booth.
Outside, a second, lean-to style outdoor kitchen set a few metres from the hut has a gas Weber BBQ with a hood as well as two gas hobs. An outdoor table is supplied for al fresco dining.
Some pantry basics are supplied including tea and coffee (and 300ml of milk), salt, pepper, and cooking oil.
The Shepherds Hut has it's own ensuite bathroom inside the hut, with a cassette toilet, and a high pressure, hot water shower.
A hot tub, filled with fresh water for each guest is set just in front of the Shepherd's Hut, on the edge of the pond.
Yes - there is mains power to the hut and there are power outlets in the hut for charging phones and devices.
Mobile phone reception can be found at, or around the hut, depending on what provider you have. There are power outlets in the hut for charging phones.
There is a small, but efficient wood-burning stove in the Shepherd's Hut for cold days and nights.
The Shepherd's Hut at Washpen Falls is adults only accommodation. If you're looking for a safe and family friendly glamping site, check out some of our other Canopy Camping Escapes campsites that are super-safe and fun for kids. You can select 'child-friendly' in the search bar to find these sites easily.
Washpen Falls is a strictly 'no dog' and no horses property (with no exceptions).
The Shepherd's Hut at Washpen Falls is tucked into it's own very private spot on the farm. You won't be disturbed by anything other than the birds, and the occasional farm animal or wild deer.
We suggest you drive into the property to unload your belongings and then park your car at the entrance gate, which is just a short 20 metre walk to the hut. You’re welcome to come and go from the property as often as you like.
No, due to the fire risk, there are no campfires allowed at Washpen Falls.
Washpen Falls is a working farm, with hazards both farm related (ie. machinery and animals) and natural (ie. Ongaonga/stinging nettle). You'll need to exercise caution, as there are specific water hazards, such as the pond, troughs and streams. For your own safety please do not touch any farm machinery, and do not enter any buildings 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 for The Shepherd's Hut at Washpen Falls.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for The Shepherd's Hut at Washpen Falls.
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:
All Year Round:
The nightly rate for weekends (Friday/Saturday) is $365* for up to two people
The nightly rate for midweek (Sunday - Thursday) is $335* per night for up to two people.
*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.
Wood-fired Hot Tub Lighting Service - $40
The wood-fired hot tub is free to use, however, some people do find it tricky to light and get going. Also, it takes around 3-4 hours to heat up the first time. If you're uncertain, we highly recommend selecting this service during the booking process. Your hot tub will be lit and heating up when you arrive. Note that you'll need to keep feeding the fire after you get there for it to be nice and hot for an evening soak.
Give the gift of glamping! Gift Vouchers are available for all 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.
The Shepherd's Hut at Washpen Falls is self-catering. Just bring your own food and cook meals using the equipment provided in the cabin kitchen. You'll find cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, and utensils.
It's a good idea to stock up on groceries before you leave home, although both Darfield and Methven (20 - 25 minutes away) do have small supermarkets.
If you want a break from cooking at any stage, you are spoilt for choice with a variety of dining options in Methven.
The Shepherd's Hut at Washpen Falls is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all escape. You might decide not to leave the campsite during your stay at all. While away the hours soaking in the hot tub. With wildlife, starry skies and a beautiful hut to cosy up in - you can just relax and rejuvenate in nature.
The Washpen Falls Adventure Walk on the property is a 2-hour loop track offering majestic scenery. You’ll go through lush native bush to a volcanic canyon reserve, experience picturesque views across the Canterbury Plains and see sparkling spring-fed creeks and stunning waterfalls.
The hut is well situated to explore all the local region has to offer. Windwhistle is the gateway to the Lake Coleridge Back Country with numerous lakes, walkways, hunting and fishing, horse trekking, scenic drives, heliskiing, mountain biking, jet boating on the famous Rakaia River or playing golf at one of the popular local courses.
Keen skiers will love the fact that the Mt Hutt Ski Field is just a 20-minute drive to the access road from the hut. A number of other ski fields are also in the region including Mt Olympus, Craigburn, Temple Basin, Porter Heights, Mt Cheeseman and Broken River.
A wonderful retreat, we loved our stay!
"Hannah Smaill - 20 May 2024
1 / 12
Beautiful spot to stay, super relaxing.
"Zoe Charles - 07 May 2024
2 / 12
We had a wonderful time staying at the Shepherd's Hut. It's a truly unique and idyllic setting – the perfect escape to unwind in tranquillity, with plenty of nature to explore in the surrounding areas. Our friendly and attentive hosts made sure we had a comfortable stay with everything we could need.
"- 04 May 2024
3 / 12
Shepherd's Hut was absolutely beautiful. It had everything we needed for the weekend, and the views overlooking the water were a definite bonus.
"- 29 Apr 2024
4 / 12
Idyllic spot with everything you need. Super relaxing and memorable stay.
"- 24 Apr 2024
5 / 12
Beautiful location and accommodation, loved every moment of our stay.
"- 16 Apr 2024
6 / 12
Lucky to be gifted a Canopy Camping stay, and so happy to have chosen Washpen Falls Shepherd's Hut. Just stunning. Birdsong all day long. Hot tub so relaxing. Great host! Loved the outdoor kitchen. So much to see in the area.
"- 26 Mar 2024
7 / 12
The best way to end our trip in New Zealand, it's criminal that we can’t stay there for good.
"- 13 Mar 2024
8 / 12
We loved our stay at the Shepherd’s Hut! The place was beautiful and very clean. It had great facilities. We really enjoyed our weekend away!
"- 12 Mar 2024
9 / 12
Great location and atmosphere.
"- 27 Feb 2024
10 / 12
This setting is beautiful, the pictures don’t do it justice. The cabin is cute and has everything you need. There’s an outdoor kitchen with BBQ for cooking. The hot tub is great after you complete the walk. It’s close to Terrace Downs and Methven.
"- 19 Feb 2024
11 / 12
An incredible spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Beautifully appointed accommodation with every need catered too. Excellent communication from the hosts. Highly recommend.
"- 28 Nov 2023
12 / 12
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