Tawanui Farm

Set on rolling farmland

Tawanui Farm Glamping is located between Kaikoura and Christchurch on the East coast of the South Island. It’s an easy 1 hour, 15 minutes drive from Christchurch and just 15 minutes from the township of Cheviot.

The Experience

The campsite itself is set on rolling farmland, surrounded by kanuka and pine plantations. Two lotus belle tents, a central camp kitchen and a large hot tub are sensitively landscaped into a gentle hillside. An incredible 180-degree view in front of the site looks down toward the Hurunui River, with views from the inland Kaikoura mountain ranges to the North Pacific Ocean.

Tawanui Farm is a working sheep, beef and deer farm so you’ll see plenty of animal and bird life. Your hosts offer ATV farm tours across their spectacular property – a great opportunity to get up close and personal. Or for the adrenalin junkies, give their Hurunui River Jet boating a try!

At the end of the day, relax in the hot tub under a vast and starry night sky, before getting cosy in your beautiful tent.

Waking up to a new day you’ll hear the birds singing from the pine plantation behind the site, and on some mornings, you can even hear the ocean – 3kms from the campsite.

Eating & Drinking

awanui Farm Glamping is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the facilities provided in your camp kitchen. You’ll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you’ll need.

If you want a break from cooking at any stage, Cheviot is just a 15-minute drive away. The Twin Rivers café/gallery with Mt Beautiful Wine Tasting room comes highly recommended. The Paddock bar and restaurant and Cheviot Trust Hotel offer good hearty meals for hungry glampers.

If you want to go further afield, the Waipara wine area is 40 minutes South, or Kaikoura is 1 hour North.

Things to do

At the campsite, there’s board games, petanque, and plenty of space to kick a ball. But if you can bear to tear yourself away from the giant 6-8 person gas-heated hot tub and spectacular views of the campsite, you’ll find plenty to do in the area.

Your hosts, the Loughnan family, operate Energy Jet, Hurunui River Experiences if you’re keen for a jetboating adventure. This is specially discounted for glampers! They also offer ATV farm tours for those keen to see a true kiwi farm in action (Check out the Rates and Extras button for more information)

There’s also swimming and fishing available at the Hurunui River, 10 minutes drive away, and surfing and swimming at Gore Bay, 20 minutes away. The Manuka Bay DOC track from the Hurunui River mouth to Gore Bay is a 10-minute drive away.