Highfield River Retreat

Highfield River Retreat Highfield River Retreat Kauri Coast, Northland Highfield River Retreat is set amongst mature Totara trees on the banks of the river running through Highfield Farm. It's the second luxury escape on Highfield Farm, after Highfield Forest Retreat - Highfield's first, highly successful luxury forest camp. The property is an easy weekend commute from Auckland - 25 minutes from the Northland town of Dargaville and 2.5 hours from Auckland city. Highfield River Retreat consists of a large, wooden-framed luxury tent and a camp cabin, providing a charming kitchen, dining and lounging area. An outdoor bath provides the perfect place to soak and relax. Sleeping up to four, Highfield River Retreat is the perfect family or couples accommodation. With heating in the tent and cabin, guests can enjoy year-round comfortable camping, whatever the weather. Highfield River Retreat gives you all the comforts of home while being surrounded by nature. Wake up with a steaming hot shower in the camp bathroom...and later enjoy a glass of wine and a soak in an outdoor bath under the stars. Then, tucked up in your comfortable bed, between 100% cotton sheets and under luxurious bedding, you'll be able to lie back and relax to the sounds of the river and the farm. FROM NZ$ 270 /pn Check Availability & Book Sleeps 4 Children welcome Check Availability & Book Previous Next Getting There FAQS Rates and Extras Booking Terms Make sure you download or print this handy info sheet with directions and host contact details prior to your journey. You may not have mobile reception at all times.  Address   Baker Road, Kaihu, Dargaville 0379 Directions   Highfield River Retreat is a comfortable 3-hour drive from central Auckland. Follow the Google Map directions to Baker Road and continue on this road until you reach a gate which requires a combination to open. This combination will be supplied to you in your pre-arrival email that we send 5 days prior to your stay. The campsite is approximately 1 km drive into the property once you enter through the gate. 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]. Locate Highfield River Retreat What is the minimum stay at this escape? The minimum stay for a particular day or date can vary depending on factors such as the day of the week, the time of year and the host's preferences.  The easiest way to check what's available is to use the online calendar for this escape—it’ll show you the current options for your dates. Please note that the minimum stay rules are set by the host and can’t be adjusted, so we’re not able to make exceptions. If the stay length doesn’t quite match what you’re after, head to Find Your Escape, enter your check-in date and preferred length of stay, and browse other great options that might be a better fit. Can I stay for one night only? To find out if single nights are available at this escape, check the online calendar and see if your preferred date is available to book. If this escape isn’t available, head to Find Your Escape, enter your check-in date and length of stay, and browse all one-night options available for that day. Please note that the minimum stay rules are set by the host and can’t be adjusted, so we’re not able to make exceptions. What time is check in and check out? WHAT ARE THE BED AND BEDDING ARRANGEMENTS? Highfield River Retreat can sleep a total of 4 people in the tent in a queen-size bed and a double cane sofa bed. Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied with 100% Egyptian cotton linen and feather duvets. WHAT ARE THE KITCHEN AND COOKING FACILITIES? The camp kitchen and dining area are inside the fully enclosed cabin. There is a double ring gas hob available for cooking. A large gas BBQ is provided for outdoor cooking. For cool storage, a chilli-bin and cool pads are provided. LPG bottles and a gas califont provide hot water. All the pots, cutlery and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided. WHAT ARE THE BATHROOM FACILITIES? The campsite has a hot water shower, with the water heated by a gas califont and there is a flushing toilet.  An outdoor bath with running hot water sits beside the river. IS THERE POWER? The campsite is completely off-the-grid, but has everything you need to enjoy a comfortable stay. LPG bottles and a gas califont provide hot water, and solar power provides lighting. IS THERE MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION? There is no mobile phone reception at Highfield River Retreat, but if you need to use your mobile phone during your stay, you can travel a short distance back down Baker Road (at the entrance to Highfield Farm) and you'll be able to get reception. WHAT SORT OF HEATING IS THERE? Heating is provided in the tent via a wood-burner and a gas fire is provided in the cabin for heating during cooler weather. What is glamping like in winter? Highfield River Retreat is open for winter stays, but bear in mind that you're booking an off-grid escape - without the usual luxuries of a fully powered home. Glamping is still a form of camping! Highfield River Retreat  has lots of warm bedding, heating in the tent in the form of a wood-burner and other elements that will 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! Can children stay at HIGHFIELD RIVER RETREAt? Yes! Children are welcome at Highfield River Retreat. The accomodation can sleep a total of four people - all together in the main tent. Note that the river is close to the tent so children will need to be supervised at all times. CAN I BRING MY DOG OR HORSE? Highfield River Retreat is a strictly 'no dog' campsite (with no exceptions), and does not have facilities for horses. HOW PRIVATE AND REMOTE IS highfield river retreat? Highfield River Retreat is very private. The campsite is tucked well into the property, so it's just the sounds and sights of the bush, the river, and the odd farm animal that you'll hear. We only ever book the campsite to one group at a time so you'll have the tent and kitchen hut all to yourself! What is the access like and where do I park my car? The property is a short drive into the property through a combination locked gate on Baker Road and occasionally electric tape gates. Please close them when you have passed through. Vehicles can be parked right outside the accommodation. You're welcome to come and go from the property as much as you like to explore the local area. Will I come across creatures and critters during my stay? Most of our stays are nature-based with components of outdoor living, and Highfield River Retreat 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. CAN I HAVE A CAMPFIRE? Yes, most of the year campfires are allowed and there is a designated campfire brazier for this purpose. At some times of the year, there are local fire-bans which means no campfires, and your hosts will let you know if there is one in place when you are visiting. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING? Food and drink - make sure you bring all the food and drink you need for your stay Walking shoes or boots - if you'd like to go for a walk on the property Warm clothes - it can be chilly in the mornings and at night. A warm jersey and long pants are a must. Shower and bath toiletries  Insect repellent and Sunscreen - a must have! Towels for swimming ARE THERE ANY SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS? Highfield River Retreat is on a working farm, with hazards both farm related (ie. machinery and animals) and natural (ie. Ongaonga/stinging nettle). You'll need to supervise children closely, as there are specific water hazards, such as troughs and streams. In particular, there is a fast flowing stream on the property and a shallow, rocky stream closer to the campsite to be aware of. For your own safety please do not touch any farm machinery, and do not enter any buildings on the property. GIFT VOUCHERS 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.   1. Introduction 1.1 Canopy Camping Limited (Canopy Camping Escapes, also referred to as we, our and us) has a curated collection of unique nature-based properties throughout New Zealand, independently owned and operated by individual owners of the properties (Hosts). 1.2 By making a booking through our website (here) (Website), you, as the person making the booking, agree to be bound by these terms and conditions (Booking Conditions). 1.3 Canopy Camping Escapes enters into these Booking Conditions as an agent for the Host.  That means that you are making an agreement with the Host for the use of its property. Anything Canopy Camping Escapes does (including enforcing any of the Host’s rights), it does so as agent for the Host and is not a party to your agreement with the Host.   1.4 In these terms: “Day” means a period of 24 hours; and “check-in time” means the check-in time specified [in the booking confirmation email we send you / specified on the Website for the property you have booked] 2. booking and payments 2.1 If you book within 28 Days of your check-in time, full payment via credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) is required at the time of booking. If you book more than 28 Days prior to your check-in time, a deposit of 10% is required to confirm your booking and secure the property. This will be charged to your credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) at the time of booking.  A credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payment surcharge of up to 2.1% will be applied to all credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payments. 2.2 Bookings are considered confirmed once you have made your online booking and payment and we have sent an email to the address provided to us which confirms both the payment and your booking details. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact us as soon as possible. However, we (as agent for the Host) reserve the right to cancel any booking within 12 Days of the confirmation email where we discover that you, or any of your guests, has previously breached these Booking Conditions in relation to a previous booking. In that case, you will receive an email advising you that the booking has been declined, and the full amount paid by you at the time of booking will be refunded to the credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) you provided during the booking process.   2.3 If you book more than 28 Days prior to your check-in time, the remaining balance of your stay will be due 28 Days prior to your check in time. An email reminder will be sent to you at this time requesting payment for the outstanding balance. The reminder email gives you the option to pay the remaining balance by A2A (Internet Banking) or credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard). If your payment has not been received within 24 hours, the remaining balance will automatically be charged to the credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) used at the time of booking. Please note: a 2.1% credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard) payment surcharge is applied to all payments made by credit or debit card (VISA/Mastercard). Credit/Debit Card data is held in a secure and encrypted environment.  2.4 If any amount is not paid when due, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking will be cancelled.   3. Guest cancellations and date changes 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. Host Cancellations 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. safety and hazards 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. 6. pets 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. 7. Activities Hunting or motorcycles are not permitted on the properties. 8. GST 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. 9. conditions of occupancy and conduct 9.1 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. 9.2 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: Specified on the Website. Contained in the information folder provided at the property. 9.3 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. 9.4 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. 9.5 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. 9.6 Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the properties. 9.7 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. 9.8 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.  9.9 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.  10. Complaints If you encounter any issues or problems during your stay, you must first contact the Host to try to resolve the issue. The Host should be given the opportunity to address and fix the problem before any further steps are taken. If you decide to leave the accommodation early due to an issue without first contacting the Host to resolve it, you will not be entitled to compensation. Essentially, if you don’t give the Host a chance to fix the problem, you cannot expect financial reimbursement for leaving early. If you have a complaint that you'd like to alert Canopy Camping Escapes about after your stay, please contact us promptly at [email protected] with details of the complaint. As an agent, we will be the initial contact between you and the Host but may need to put you in direct contact to resolve any issues. 11. Liability 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: for the acts or omissions of the Hosts; or under or in relation to these Booking Conditions or your stay,  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.   12. Gift vouchers Gift vouchers expire if not redeemed within 3 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. 13. Law These Booking Conditions are governed by New Zealand law and the New Zealand courts have exclusive jurisdiction. 14. Changes to booking conditions 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. 15. Authority to sign As the person who completes the Booking Form, you certify that all information provided is true, accurate and correct and that you: are authorised to agree to the Booking Conditions on behalf of all persons included in the Booking Form, including those substituted or added at a later date; are over eighteen years of age; agree to take responsibility for the party occupying the Property and shall ensure that they (and any approved visitors) comply with these Booking Conditions; and will notify us if you are not present at the property for the rental period. Eating and Drinking Highfield River Retreat is self-catering. Just bring your own food, and cook meals using the facilities provided in your private camp kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need. The nearest shop selling necessities is Kaihu Motors - an 8-minute drive away. There is also a Countdown Supermarket in Dargaville, 25 minutes away. When you fancy dining out, explore Dargaville township's restaurants or treat yourself to classic fish and chips at Baylys Beach ("Sharkeys"), both around a 25-minute drive away. Things To Do Lie in your steaming hot bath and listen to the sound of the river, and the birds flitting through the Totara trees... Battle it out over a family board game, or explore the farm on foot. Highfield Farm also has walking tracks going through some beautiful QE II protected forests on the property. At the end of the day, enjoy toasting marshmallows over the coals of the brazier. There's plenty to do off the property as well. Visit Trounson Kauri Park to take in the magnificent kauri trees, or visit the Kai Iwi lakes. Check out Nelson's Kauri Shop and Mill at Kaihu, just down the road and stop off on your way home for a drink and delicious meal at the Kaihu Tavern. Your Hosts Tracy and Simon Hayward are the owners and farmers of Highfield Farm. They'll be your hosts during your stay. Tracy, Simon and their 5 children bought Highfield Farm in 2004. It's a dairy farm, milking 160 cows, and covering 90 hectares of farmland. A further 70 bush-covered hectares of the property were put into QEII protection by Tracy and Simon, along with a section of land on either side of the main river that runs through the property. Highfield Forest Retreat is nestled in a part of the QEII protected part of the farm. With the combined effort of Hancocks Forestry, Northern Regional Council and DOC, Tracy and Simon have been trapping pests on their QEII block and up the valley. Through 'kiwi listening' they have established that they now have a moderate population of kiwi - which they look forward to seeing grow annually. The Haywards felt that there was no better way to share what they've achieved on their farm, than by inviting people to stay on it. In March 2015 they purchased a 100+ year old kauri hut and started developing their first 'forest retreat' glamping site to open in December that same year. In 2016, they opened 'river retreat', their second glamping site. Testimonials " We loved the stay - it was nice to simply "detach" from the outside world and go back to basics (albeit, in style as you are essentially glamping"). It's amazing how much we now rely on technology and the effect it has on everyday life. We loved just enjoying the scenery, toasting marshmallows and spending quality time together. It has made us realise that we need to do this more and essentially value each other as opposed to material things. " Taryn Collins - 10 Mar 2026 1 / 12 " Wonderful stay in beautiful accommodation and surroundings. Only 3km off the road in the middle of nowhere, perfect! " Claire Davey - 05 Mar 2026 2 / 12 " Stunning is the best word! " Julia Mead - 21 Feb 2026 3 / 12 " The retreat was beautiful, clean and relaxing. Would definitely go back! " Keyjah Kem-Burke - 17 Feb 2026 4 / 12 " Lovely setting near a field, surrounded by trees, next to a running river that provided relaxing sounds. What's not to like? " Dirk Grunwald - 01 Mar 2026 5 / 12 " We discovered this lovely place five years ago and it automatically became my wife’s happy place and we now go back every year. " Stephen Sheehan - 10 Feb 2026 6 / 12 " Our little family had a wonderful time making memories at Highfiled River Retreat! The location is beautiful, completely private, immersed in the bush. The facilities were great, the beds super comfy and the kids loved roasting marshmallows, playing scrabble and relaxing in the outdoor bath. We will be back! " Catherine Davies - 03 Feb 2026 7 / 12 " Amazing time! " Duncan Eason - 08 Jan 2026 8 / 12 " This is the perfect getaway to recharge and calm. Tracy couldn't have been more helpful and flexible in making sure we had a great time. The weather wasn't kind to us on our second day but the River Retreat is so well set up we still had a super relaxing time. An outdoor bubble bath in the rain with fern fronds as an umbrella was amazing. " Claire O'Donnell - 26 Nov 2025 9 / 12 " Absolutely awesome. " goran camenisch - 07 Nov 2025 10 / 12 " We loved our stay at the River Retreat. Beautiful peaceful setting. We only wished we'd booked for longer. " Fiona Rouse - 28 Oct 2025 11 / 12 " We would like to stay again in the future for special occasions. " Ashni Mohan - 16 Oct 2025 12 / 12 Browse the Collection Beautiful tents surrounded by nature, quirky cabins with packets of personality and secret hideaways that offer something completely unique... Explore the other places in our collection. Find your escape