Te Tuhi Dome

Te Tuhi Dome Te Tuhi Dome Taupō, Waikato Te Tuhi Dome is set just 15 minutes from Taupō, near Kinloch Bay. Set on Te Tuhi Hillside Retreat (the same property as the popular Te Tuhi Hut), the Dome sits on a hillside with views across farmland, native bush, and down to Lake Taupō. Both the hut and the dome are completely private and set on different parts of the property. The Dome is a large geodesic structure containing a gorgeous bedroom and lounging space. On one side of the dome, a few metres away is a kitchen building. On the other side, is a luxurious outdoor bathroom space. Amazing views down to Lake Taupō are visible from every area. At dawn and dusk, the bush is alive with birdsong. Depending on the season, lambs and calves frolic in the paddocks around the campsite. The cows, sheep and horses grazing and chickens foraging make for a peaceful country vista to sit back and enjoy. If you feel like exploring, the Taupō region has so much to offer. Restaurants, cafes, and galleries are plentiful. Geothermal wonders like the Wairakei Terraces hot pools and the Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park are only a short drive away. And of course, the lake itself offers activities like kayaking, sailing or swimming. Te Tuhi Dome is a unique and comfortable glamping experience, but it is still a form of camping! If you're booking a stay in winter - bring your sense of adventure and be prepared for the elements. FROM NZ$ 345 /pn Check Availability & Book Sleeps 2 Dogs welcome Check Availability & Book Previous Next Getting There FAQS Rates and Extras Booking Terms address   269 Whakaroa Rd, Kinloch 3377 directions   Te Tuhi Dome is set in 15 minutes from Taupō in the central North Island. To get there, follow the Google Maps directions. At the entrance you will see the Te Tuhi Hillside Retreat sign, take this right-hand driveway and park at the end of this driveway. Check-in is contactless. Make your own way to the Dome by going through the gate and following the right-hand fence line until you hit a path. This takes you up to the entrance gate of the Dome. Your hosts, Emily and Joe, will touch base with you after arrival to make sure you've arrived safely and have everything you need. Locate Te Tuhi Dome 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? The dome sleeps two people in a queen-size bed. Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied. The bed is made up of linen/cotton blend sheets. There is an electric blanket, feather and down duvet inner and plenty of extra blankets. What are the cooking and kitchen facilities? The kitchen is a stand-alone, fully-enclosed building off a deck connected to the dome. There is a pull-down clear roller window that can be closed off in colder weather or opened to create an indoor-outdoor feel. A bench with two stools sits under the window for dining. A small fridge is supplied for cool food storage. Hot water is supplied by an Infinity instant hot water system. A gas element and Weber barbecue are provided for cooking. All the pots, pans and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided. Some pantry basics are supplied - olive oil, salt, pepper, a selection of tea, coffee and milk. What are the bathroom facilities? The semi-open-air bathroom just outside the dome has a bath, shower and basin. Hot water is provided by an Infinity instant hot water system. A Sun Mar Bio-drum composting toilet (commercial brand) is provided inside the dome's ensuite space. While it's perfectly pleasant to use, some people don't enjoy the experience of using a composting toilet. Please consider this carefully before booking here if a traditional water-flushing toilet is important to you. Towels are provided. Is there power? Yes, Te Tuhi Dome has mains power and some powerpoints for charging devices. The bathroom and garden have candles and subtle mood lighting. If you use a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) for sleep apnoea, there’s a convenient power outlet located beside the bed Is there mobile phone reception? Mobile phone reception for Spark customers is good, but the reception is not as good for other providers. A short walk down the road will get better reception. Some powerpoints are provided for charging devices.  Is there heating? The dome has a wood burner and an additional heater for the winter months. Bear in mind that the bathroom and kitchen are semi-outdoors. What is glamping like in winter? Te Tuhi Dome is open for winter stays, but bear in mind that the dome has a semi-outdoor kitchen and bathroom. Glamping is still a form of camping. Te Tuhi Dome has lots of warm bedding, a woodburner and heater in the dome, and a heater installed in the kitchen. But 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 Te Tuhi Dome? Te Tuhi Dome is not suitable for children and is a strictly adults-only site. The one exception to this rule is for non-mobile babies under 6 months with BYO bedding and portacot.  Note that it can be cold overnight in the Taupo region, so we don't recommend bringing a baby if you book a stay over the winter or shoulder months. 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? Yes, your dog is welcome at Te Tuhi Dome, but we kindly ask that you adhere to a few doggy rules: A maximum of two dogs are allowed The dogs must stay in the fenced area surrounding the Hut. Please note that this is electric fencing Dogs must be up-to-date with vaccinations and either regularly wormed or dosed at least 48 hours prior to arrival (find out more about Ovis Management in NZ) Dogs must be stock friendly (chickens, sheep, cows and horses) Please pick up all droppings (please bring doggy pick-up bags) Any dogs that are not 100% toilet trained are to be kept outside or in a crate while inside the dome Please bring your own crate and/or dog bed and do not allow your dog on any furniture or soft furnishings How private and remote is Te Tuhi Dome? Very private! You can see a few other houses in the distance and a farm track off to one side, but otherwise, it's just you, nature and the view. What is the access like and where do I park my car? You'll be directed to park in a safe and secure area on the property and walk the short 150m down a farmland trail to the dome. There is ample space to park your campervan or boat. You're welcome to come and go from the property as often as you please. Will I come across creatures and critters during my stay? Yes! Te Tuhi Dome is set in the countryside and is closely connected to the outdoors - so you can expect to see the usual insects you would find on any farm during your stay. Insect repellant and spray is provided, but if insects really bother you, this might not be the right accommodation for you. What do I need to bring? Food and drink - make sure you bring all the food and drink you need for your stay Slippers and a rain jacket (especially in winter) Toiletries Insect repellent and sunscreen Warm clothing for cooler evenings Are there any safety considerations? Te Tuhi Dome is set on a property with farm-related activity, so for the safety of all concerned, it’s very important to follow the safety guidelines and terms that you’ll find in our booking terms and in your Welcome Guide on site. These terms and guidelines include: Visitors stay at their own risk, the property has hazards both farm-related (ie. machinery and animals) and natural (ie. tomos and stinging nettle). Leave gates as you find them. Animals are unpredictable - best to avoid them. Extreme caution driving in and out of the property - the speed limit on the property is 15km p/h. For your own safety please do not touch any farm machinery, and do not enter any buildings on the property. Platters/Gift Baskets If you're keen to order a gift basket for a special occasion, The Merchant is a local store that has some fantastic options. Just order with them directly and your host, Emily, can collect it for you. You'll just have to let her know that you need her to collect it when you receive her contact details in your pre-arrival email, 5-days prior to your stay. Special Occasion Packages Enhance Package - $149 Celebrate your special occasion in style: 20 x loose air filled & 10 x helium filled balloons 2 x helium balloon bouquets - each with 3 balloons & weight A2 letter board with personalized message Large candle holder with LED candle Installation & removal   Romance Package - $259 Add some Romance to your setting: LOVE' light up marquee letters (30cmH) Acrylic LOVE blocks filled with balloons (1.2mH) Dried rose petals scattered over the bed & floor 10 candle holders with LED candles Installation & removal   Celebration Package - $289 Have you got something special to celebrate? 1.9m circular mesh arch with 3m balloon garland (choice of colours) Neon sign (marry me, oh baby, happy birthday, always & forever) Installation & removal   Balloon Add on + $60 2 x 90cm foil number balloons filled with helium & tied on weights (available in gold or silver)   Floral Add on + $99 A deluxe fresh & seasonal bouquet of flowers is the perfect way to surprise that someone special!   Elopement Ceremony Package (on request) A one off travel charge of $69 will apply for each booking. Packages and add ons can be booked stand alone or in conjunction with each other and can be fully customized to suit your requirements.   For enquiries and bookings contact [email protected] 07 378 6614  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 Te Tuhi Dome is self-catering. Just bring your own food, and cook meals using the BBQ and facilities provided in your private camp kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need. If you're keen to order a gift basket for a special occasion, The Merchant is a local store that has some fantastic options. Just order with them directly and your host, Joe, can collect it for you. You'll just have to let him know that you need her to collect it when you receive her contact details in your pre-arrival email, 5 days prior to your stay. If you fancy eating out, Taupō is just a 15-minute drive away, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from.  Coming highly recommended by your hosts is The Cozy Corner, Baku on the lakefront and The Vine for fine dining and a wonderful range of wine and craft beer. Closer to home is L'arté Cafe & Gallery (a 5-minute drive away) which features an amazing mosaic garden and homewares store. Finally, the nearby Kinloch Store has amazing wood-fired pizzas and fish and chips. Great for casual lakeside picnicking! The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is Pak n' Save on Ruapehu Street, 15 minutes away. Things to do Relax, sit back and take in the gorgeous view from the Dome, or get out and about to enjoy everything the Taupo region has to offer.  Around the property you will see hints of a potter. Starting out as a hobby and now as a small studio Emily creates bespoke small batch functional pottery for the retreat and opens her studio to guests by appointment.  Explore nearby Whakaipo Bay, either for a swim walk along the beach. Walk the W2K track or bring your mountain bike and bike it! Kinloch Bay is also handy. Soak in the Wairakei Terraces in the evening (18-minutes drive away), beautiful, adults only, silicone pools, set in amongst gorgeous landscaping. The Huka Prawn Park is another unique local experience. Have lunch on the edge of the Waikato River, fish for prawns and enjoy the nature walk. Another must do in the area is a kayak tour or boat trip to see the stunning, contemporary Maori carving at Mine Bay. Your Hosts Emily and Joe Wilson, along with their daughters Charlie and Madison and dogs Jazz and Mac are your hosts at Te Tuhi Hillside Retreat. Originally the property was part of Te Tuhi Point, the large neighbouring farm that sits on the peninsula between Kinloch and Whakaipo Bay. Subdivided some years back, it had been neglected for some time before Emily and Joe bought the property in 2017. Their vision was to create a self-sufficient property for their family to connect with nature, grow their own food, live off the grid and have the opportunity to create daily. Not too long into creating their dream they realised their little slice of paradise needed to be shared with others and went about building Te Tuhi Hut and later Te Tuhi Dome.  When not maintaining the property Emily and Joe both work from home on their e-commerce business. Emily will also often be found in her pottery studio, Te Tuhi Pottery. They love their location and feel they have the best of both worlds - just 15 minutes from town - but in a quiet country location just minutes from the lake.  Testimonials " Beautiful scenery, lovely and quiet with everything you could need and it's only 15 minutes from Taupō or Kinloch! " DANIEL MATTHEWS - 06 Mar 2026 1 / 12 " This was such a serene and beautiful setting. The dome and facilities were wonderful with everything to make our anniversary perfect. Waking up to that view each morning was so incredible. Oh, and the bath!!! Book now, you will not regret it. " Jillian Dew - 03 Mar 2026 2 / 12 " A magical experience! We had the best stay for our mini honey moon. The setting just stunning, the facilities and cleanliness outstanding. We are already planning a trip back. " Anouschka Marshall - 28 Feb 2026 3 / 12 " Don’t hesitate! It's worth it! Lovely hosts and beautiful scenery and accommodation! " Danielle Lancaster - 10 Feb 2026 4 / 12 " Hubby and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary at Te Tuhi Dome and we absolutely loved every minute of it. We took our dog with us and it was perfect for the three of us! Would highly recommend. " Zoe Beard - 26 Jan 2026 5 / 12 " This place exceeded my expectations. Absolutely amazing. " AJ Fourie - 26 Jan 2026 6 / 12 " Wonderful stay thank you. " Toni Baker - 11 Jan 2026 7 / 12 " The most amazing location and scenery! And it's dog friendly which is super handy. " Baylee Jackson - 10 Jan 2026 8 / 12 " The dome was so beautiful, such a lovely spot and awesome hosts. " Portia Coles - 07 Jan 2026 9 / 12 " Wow what an amazing place to stay! Te Tuhi Dome is such a magical place to escape the city lights & sounds to relax in the most peaceful location. Everything about this place is stunning! Enjoy the charm of camping but with the luxuries of a comfy bed, warmth and beautiful bathroom! " Kayla Jones - 09 Jan 2026 10 / 12 " Was the perfect place to get engaged. A beautiful, peaceful place to relax. We absolutely loved our stay, especially the outdoor bath. Would highly recommend, and we will definitely be coming back. " Reese Smith - 15 Dec 2025 11 / 12 " Beautiful setting and fantastic experience staying in such a unique dwelling. We are planning our next stay!! " Rachael Peploe - 12 Dec 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