Secluded and untamed luxury stays in New Zealand

New Zealand’s reputation as home to truly exceptional luxury experiences is well known, but nowhere does this shine more than in New Zealand’s unique glamping experiences. Envisioning lounging under the stars at secluded mountain stations, or relaxing in wood-burning hot tubs with alpine views, these experiences redefine connection to nature while still being enveloped in luxurious comfort.

The following selection is the best compilation of New Zealand’s glamping experience, with each property chosen for its ability to offer that perfect blend of outback excitement and upscale amenities that visitors desire.

New Zealand’s reputation as home to truly exceptional luxury experiences is well known, but nowhere does this shine more than in New Zealand’s unique glamping experiences. Envisioning lounging under the stars at secluded mountain stations, or relaxing in wood-burning hot tubs with alpine views, these experiences redefine connection to nature while still being enveloped in luxurious comfort.

The following selection is the best compilation of New Zealand’s glamping experience, with each property chosen for its ability to offer that perfect blend of outback excitement and upscale amenities that visitors desire.

North Island

Hartwood Hollow: The magic of an earth house in the Bay of Plenty

Located just 20 minutes from Tauranga, Heartwood Hollow offers something unique, a magical earthen house set within a picturesque hill surrounded by ancient native bush. The trail begins on a winding gravel road to an arched wooden doorway and a massive rotunda. In this hobbit-like residence, discover luxurious amenities, a king-size bed covered in luxurious linens, a beautiful kitchen made from recycled totara, and a large en-suite bathroom filled with artisanal details throughout.

Every aspect of the hotel is a testament to creative and meticulous craftsmanship, from the hand-cut wooden beams, to the curve of the windows overlooking the forest beyond. Warmly lit by a hissing log fire and filled with amber light pouring within, the recess offers luxurious comfort in every inch. Outside the hollow, two identical outdoor bathtubs stand against the stars in a clear New Zealand night sky.

Wild Canvas: Luxury tent experience in Te Kuiti

Located in beautiful Te ​​Kūiti, Wild Canvas’s Pōhutukawa Stay is a luxury tented retreat. The most unique feature of this experience is the stunning 360 degree view, enjoying the pictures in a completely warm spa while watching the sun set over the rolling hills. The tent’s design fuses luxurious furnishings with the brilliance of the outdoors to create spaces that are intimate in character yet expansive in vision.

The Pōhutukawa tent is family-friendly accommodation, which is why it is ideal for luxury family holidays or group holidays looking for something unique from the standard typical luxury accommodation.

South Island

Braided point: Canterbury’s best kept secret

Braided Point is located on a rural upland cattle station, an hour and a half’s drive north of Christchurch, and sits atop a rocky outcrop formed when the glaciers retreated. The Rakaya River flows through the landscape, meaning the view is constantly changing, with braided channels creating an ever-changing scene that is different each time from the last visit.

Pride Point consists of two staterooms connected to an outdoor kitchen without cover; One of the large pods has a comfortable living space, while the other has luxurious bathroom facilities. It offers indoor-outdoor living with guests staying connected to the rest of the world while enjoying luxurious comfort.

SkyScape: A stargazing paradise in Twizel

Just a 15-minute drive south of Twizel at Omahau Hill Station, SkyScape offers architecturally designed, eco-friendly accommodation set among the hills of the stunning Mackenzie Country. Relaxation and tranquility are guaranteed in this sanctuary that aims to create a feeling of connection between earth and sky.

All of these accommodations feature interior flooring and natural building materials that make you feel connected to the land itself, with the glass ceiling and bedroom walls offering stunning views of the Mackenzie Basin and the sky above. Better yet, relax under the stars in an oversized outdoor bathtub, overlooking the open countryside.

SkyScape is completely off-grid, solar-powered, and perfect for a digital detox in a sustainable environment. Set within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Clear Nights offers center stage seating for one of the most starry views in the world, making for a moment to remember and a break from city life.

Skylark Cabin: Mackenzie Basin

Located at the base of the Ben Ohau Mountains south of Twizel, Skylark Cabin is a reimagining of luxury living in New Zealand’s legendary Mackenzie Country. Ideal for couples or newlyweds looking for their own secluded retreat, this award-winning tiny house sleeps two people in thoughtfully designed spaces that optimize comfort and harmony with the environment.

What sets this experience apart is the effortless combination of architectural sophistication with the untamed natural beauty of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. The architecture of the cabins combines alpine restraint with contemporary luxury to create living spaces that are compact in scale yet limitless in their openness to the great mountain ranges and extraterrestrial pastures that surround them.

Equipped with a personal hot tub and a telescope for stargazing, Skylark Cabin makes an overnight stay an active experience in New Zealand’s highest country.

Where Kea Chalet: High Alpine luxury

Whare Kea Chalet is a luxury alpine retreat in one of New Zealand’s most exclusive locations. Located at an altitude of 1,750 meters (5,700 feet) on the Albert Burn Saddle on the north face of Dragonfly Peak, reaching this mountain haven is a scenic 15-minute helicopter flight, a pleasure in itself.

This exclusive alpine resort fluctuates throughout the seasons. For half the year, the area becomes a winter paradise, an ideal location for ski touring or heli-skiing trips. Summer offers guests the opportunity to take part in some trekking, stargazing or just relaxing, a complete high-altitude luxury experience.

Plan your luxury adventure

These exquisite retreats are gateways to life-changing adventures that redefine luxury and nature. Each residence is unique: river views and wildlife viewing at Braided Point, mountain helicopter access at Whare Kea, the charm of a land home at Heartwood Hollow, and the luxurious family selection of Wild Canvas. We are in Aroha Luxury Tours in New Zealand We specialize in privately guided and fully bespoke itineraries, so if luxury camping in New Zealand is your passion, give us a call.

These retreats meet the highest expectations of most discerning travelers while still facilitating true experiences with the country’s stunning scenery. The key to choosing the ultimate experience is to know what type of luxury suits you, the old-world image of highland stations, the architectural marvel of earthly houses, the adrenaline rush of helicopter-served alpine chalets, or the straightforward perfection of glass pods against a starlit sky.