Wharekawa Farm is 2 hours drive from Auckland and just 15 minutes from Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Set beneath the shade of an ancient pohutukawa on an elevated and private spot, the campsite includes a beautiful Shepherd's Hut and covered outdoor kitchen and bathroom.
The hut is stylishly decorated, and pleasantly airy and spacious. Perfectly framed views from the windows look over the countryside to the Wharekawa estuary and ocean beyond. With every detail thought out, this is glamping at it's finest.
The property itself is stunning and includes 125 acres of mixed native bush and pasture. A 1km estuary walk goes through a gorgeous pohutukawa forest. Mao Mao Bay is a white sand private beach that can be accessed via a bush track and steps from the property. The walk up to the pa site at the tip of the property offers sensational ocean views.
Aside from exploring the property, you'll find lots of other activities! Kayaks and boogie boards are provided for your entertainment. The adventurous can even cross the river and ride the surf at Opoutere Beach.
In the evening, enjoy an outdoor bath while soaking up the view and the stars above. Then sleep with the sound of the ocean - and wake to a beautiful sunrise.
FROM $295 p/n
Adults Only
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.
67B Whitipirorua Road, Onemana 3691
Wharekawa Farm is a 2-hour drive from Auckland and 15 minutes from Whangamata.
Please set your Google Maps destination for Whitipirorua Road, not 67B Whitipirorua Road as this will take you to the wrong address on Google Maps. Once you have turned off SH25 and headed for Onemana, you are on Whitipirorua Road. Travel 500 metres along the road and just before the hill you will see a green sign on the left called ’Norman’s Access Road.' Turn left onto the forestry road and you will see a red rural letter box marked 67B marked with a Canopy Camping badge on its post. If you go up the hill. you have missed the turn.
Check in - between 3pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check out - 11am
The hut sleeps two people in a built-in, queen-size bed. Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied. The fitted sheet is a high-quality 100% cotton jersey with a 100% cotton woven top sheet. There is a warm duvet supplied with a spare blanket if needed.
There is a separate, covered kitchen area a few steps from the hut. The kitchen contains a bespoke kitchen unit incorporating sink, twin gas hob and under-unit fridge. Hot water with mains power is supplied. You'll find all the pots, pans, crockery, cutlery and utensils you'll need to cook.
A dining table and chairs is provided in the outdoor kitchen and a fold-out dining table is available in the hut. A Weber BBQ is also available.
Some pantry basics are provided - tea, coffee, cooking oil, salt and pepper and a small milk.
The bathroom is located just off the outdoor kitchen area and facilities include a basin, shower and flushing toilet.
Yes - there is mains power to the hut and there are power outlets in the hut for charging phones and devices.
There is mobile phone reception, and outlets are available for charging phones and devices.
A wood burner in the hut is provided for warmth in the cooler months.
Wharekawa Farm is open for Winter stays, but bear in mind that you're booking a small country escape - without the usual luxuries of a hotel or home. Glamping is still a form of camping!
Wharekawa Farm has lots of warm bedding, a wood burner in the hut, 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!
Wharekawa Farm is not suitable for children and is a strictly adults-only site.
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.
Wharekawa Farm is a strictly 'no dog' and no horses campsite.
The Shepherd's Hut is tucked into its own very private spot on the farm. Occasionally you may notice farm activity on the track through the farm or signs of the other guests that may be staying in the shearing quarters but otherwise, you'll find that your stay is very private.
You'll be able to park just below the hut, with a short 30m walk up the steps to the hut. You're welcome to come and go from the property as often as you like.
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and Wharekawa Farm 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.
If you really don't want to come across any creatures or critters during your stay, it may be best to find an escape that is more enclosed with fewer outdoor living components.
No, due to the fire-risk, there are no campfires allowed at Wharekawa Farm.
Wharekawa Farm 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 troughs and the estuary. For your own safety please do not touch any farm machinery, and do not enter any buildings on the property.
The access to Mao Mao Bay (the white sand private beach on the property) is via a steep bush track which includes a substantial number of wooden steps. It requires a moderate level of fitness and agility. Good footwear should be worn and in bad weather, access may be prohibited. Please follow all safety instructions and pay attention to signs on the property regarding access to the beach.
Weeknights:
Single nights can be booked during the week (Sunday - Thursday nights) from 1 February to 14 December.
Weekends and Main Summer Holidays:
There is a minimum stay period of two nights on all weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) and during the main summer holiday period (15 Dec - 31 Jan).
Please note that during this period 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.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. There are no exceptions to the policies outlined above for Wharekawa Farm.
Our minimum night policies are strictly adhered to. Please note that there are no exceptions to the policies outlined below for Wharekawa Farm.
Weekends and Main Summer Holidays:
There is a minimum stay period of two nights on all weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) and during the main summer holiday period (20 Dec - 31 Jan).
Please note that during this period 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.
Weeknights:
Single nights can be booked during the week (Sunday - Thursday nights) outside the periods specified above.
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.
Peak season (1 December to 31 March):
The standard nightly rate is $325* for up to two people.
Off-Peak season (1 April to 30 November):
The standard nightly rate is $295* 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.
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.
Wharekawa Farm is self-catering. Bring your own food, and cook meals using the facilities provided in the carefully thought-out outdoor kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.
If you need to stock up on supplies, a supermarket is a 10km drive away in Whangamata.
If you want a break from cooking at any stage, head into Whangamata where there are plenty of cafes and eateries to choose from. Nero's Restaurant comes recommended!
If you just want to take time out to relax, you'll enjoy all the property has to offer - walks around the estuary and through the pohutukawa forest, soaking up the views from the Pa site, kayaking the estuary, or swimming in the waves at the private beach on the property.
Wharekawa Farm is set on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula - so if you want to explore a bit further - there's plenty to do! Take a tour to Whenuakura or 'Donut Island' - a secret cove with hidden wonders... Explore the gold coal mine where you can view old mining relics or hire a SUP board to explore on water. Fishing charters, dive trips and surf lessons are all activities you can enjoy in this part of the country!
Chris Parry is the owner of Wharekawa Farm and the force behind the creation of the Shepherd's Hut. Chris spends Summer in New Zealand and the cooler months in Europe and the UK.
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Find your escape
Photos don’t do it justice. An incredible place to stay.
"26 June 2019
Absolutely stunning! The short walk/drive up to the lookout on the hill has the most insane sunrise/sunset views for miles. And what made it even cooler was the adrenaline-pumping “fisherman’s rock” adventure climb down to the water (not for the faint-hearted). Will be back for sure.
"19 June 2019
Wharekawa Farm is a hidden gem on the Coromandel. So close to the action in Whangamata, Onemana and Opoutere yet so private and secluded. The jersey cows are gorgeous and the view from the Pa site is something else. We will be coming back!
"12 June 2019
Tremendous location and superb scenery and surroundings. Functional and modern fittings and amenities. Would go back and definitely recommend to others!
"20 March 2019