What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in: 2pm - 7pm (or later by arrangement)
Check-out: 10am
What are the bed and bedding arrangements?
The cabin sleeps up to two people in a king-size bed.
Full linen, towels, and bedding are supplied. The sheets are a 50/50 cotton-linen mix. A feather duvet is provided along with a heavy comforter and extra wool blankets.
What are the cooking and kitchen facilities?
The kitchen is a covered outdoor space with a sink, bench and food storage. Cool food storage is via a small solar-powered fridge. A double gas hob and a mini-pizza oven are available for cooking. All the pots, cutlery and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided.
Hot water is supplied by an LPG gas califont.
Some pantry basics are supplied - olive oil, salt, pepper, loose leaf tea and plunger coffee.
What are the bathroom facilities?
The shower is a covered outdoor shower, set off the back of the cabin. An LPG gas califont supplies hot water.
There is a pleasant-to-use composting toilet in a separate building about 20 metres away from the cabin. The toilet has an outdoor basin just outside the door with soap and a hand towel.
The wood-fired outdoor hot tub can be used (other than in the event of extreme water restrictions). This may be the case throughout much of the summer period, so please bear this in mind when booking your stay if the use of the hot tub is important to you.
Towels are provided.
Is there power?
Tarata Cabin is fully off-grid with a solar system providing electricity for the electric appliances, lighting and phone charging.
If it’s sunny, the system will be generating power. If it’s not sunny, you’ll be using power from the bank of batteries. While there should be plenty of electricity to operate the onsite appliances during your stay, you will need to conserve on grey days to avoid running out. Please don't bring your hairdryers and straighteners, as these have a large power draw and will run the power supply down quickly. Your hosts will let you know the power status on arrival.
Is there mobile phone reception?
Yes, there is 3G reception for Vodafone and Spark. There are power outlets and a USB dock for charging.
Is there heating?
A portable bio-ethanol fire (which is smokeless and odourless) is provided to heat the cabin.
Hot water bottles and extra wool blankets are provided.
Can I have an outdoor fire?
Fires are allowed in the designated fire pit & pizza oven only
The pizza oven is perfect for cooking, and also for keeping warm while lounging on the beanbag chairs.
What is glamping like in Winter?
The cabin is open most of the year and a perfect winter escape. Bear in mind though, that you're booking an off-grid escape - without the usual luxuries of a fully powered home. Glamping is still a form of camping!
The cabin has a portable bio-ethanol fire and warm bedding, plus lots of other elements to make your stay cosy and atmospheric. If you book a stay in winter, bring your sense of adventure and brush up on your fire-lighting skills.
Note that there are some outdoor elements to your stay like, for example, a covered outdoor kitchen area and an outdoor shower and toilet.
How does the hot tub work?
Tarata Cabin has a hot tub available to use when no water restrictions are in place. This may be the case throughout much of the summer, so please bear this in mind when booking your stay if you want to use the hot tub.
The hot tub is filled with fresh natural and clay spring water before each booking. This has a cloudy clay-coloured appearance but is clean and safe to soak in.
The hot tub is wood-fired, so you'll need to light this when you arrive and stoke it for at least a couple of hours while it heats through. It takes a little bit of skill with lighting fires and patience, but the hosts provide excellent details of how to build a great fire in their guide, which you will receive prior to your stay.
The good news is that the hot tub holds heat well and will only need a little bit of heating from time to time during the remainder of your stay.
CAN CHILDREN STAY AT Tarata Cabin?
The cabin is not suitable for children and is strictly adults-only. 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.
Can I bring my dog?
Tarata Cabin has a 'no dog' policy.
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.
How private and remote is Tarata Cabin?
Tarata Cabin is situated on a hillside property surrounded by regenerating bush, overlooking Kawhia Harbour. You can see a couple of buildings and baches in the far distance but, other than this, the cabin is very private.
What is the access like and where do I park my car?
Access to the cabin has drive-on access which is suitable for a 2-wheel drive vehicle.
You'll be able to drive up to the cabin and park right beside it. You're welcome to come and go from the property as much as you like.
Please note there are stairs that are not wheelchair-friendly.
Will I come across creatures and critters during my stay?
Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and Tarata Cabin 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.
What do I need to bring?
- Food and drink - make sure you bring all the food and drink you need for your stay
- Shower toiletries
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Warm clothing for stargazing
What are the safety considerations?
The property is a large, bush-clad, hillside property, with some steep drop-offs, so it’s very important to follow the safety guidelines and terms that you’ll find in our booking terms and in your guide found inside the cabin.
Can I book for one night only?
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 December - 31 January).
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. 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 Tarata Cabin.