Akaroa Glamping Pods
In just over an hour from Christchurch, you will find your perch above one of the most tranquil bays on Canterbury’s magnificent Banks Peninsula. Far from crowds, you’ll sink in to your own PRIVATE steaming wood-fired hot tub under an abundance of stars and, if you choose, you can even enjoy sumptuous local fare delivered to your door.
Although you’ll be a 15-30 minute hike from the nearest road – in the midst of a working cattle farm – you’ll sleep on real beds in double-glazed, New Zealand-made pods; more solid than canvas, much more romantic than an ordinary hotel room. Te Wepu has a Gold Qualmark ranking, making them one of the few luxury accommodation places in Canterbury.
If you’re an adventurous soul – whether travelling in a small group, on an adventure for two or flying solo – and you want an idyllic spot in which to stop, relax, read and breathe in the silence, Te Wepu is just the place.
Glamping Accommodation Banks Peninsula
Dotted throughout Te Wepu’s 30ha of working farmland and bush are three sleeping pod sites. Each site has two pods; a dedicated sleeping pod which sleeps two and each has a spectacular view of the Onawe Peninsula and French Farm Bay.
Each one has its own private setting including wood fired hot tub (emptied, cleaned and refreshed after each guest), fire pit, an eco-friendly waterless (and odourless) Bioloo, camping facilities including a gas BBQ, and delicious fresh spring water. The other pod is your utility pod which includes a composting bio loo, changing area with towels and bathrobes for your hot tub experience.
The pods sites have been strategically positioned out of sight and sound from each other.
Te Wepu is one of the few glamping options in New Zealand with a Gold Qualmark award so it doesn’t get much better than that!
Te Wepu Pods
Solar power ensures you have lighting in the Pod as well as the ability to charge phones.
There is 4WD vehicle access to 2 of the Pods but the Bococks’ 4X4 Kubota (known as Donald) can take you; so you can choose to either:
- Have yourselves and your gear delivered to your Pod door by your hosts, or
- Send your gear up in the 4×4 and you can hike up. The hiking track takes about 20-30 minutes. It begins at the carpark, alongside the home of our resident Morepork. It takes you through a Rhododendron dell and a Walnut grove, alongside the Te Wepu stream, and finishes with a short climb through farmland to your Pod. Banks Peninsula boasts a glorious micro-climate and, in the heat of summer, the hot tubs make pretty awesome cold tubs too!
- Drive yourselves in your own 4WD. You must be competent at 4WD’ing and the Bococks accept no responsibilty for you and your vehicle while driving on their property.
Included in your nightly price are:
- the 5 minute drive to and from your Pod (if required)
- a comfortable bed
- luxurious linen
- bath robes and towels
- camping facilities, including gas BBQ and high quality chilly bin, with ice packs to keep food and drinks cold.
- A solar shower is at all the Pods and can be filled and heating upon request.
- fire pit
- your PRIVATE heating wood-fed hot tub
- a light breakfast for the mornings you are there (and a few other essentials – getting away from it all doesn’t mean you have to go without a cuppa!)
Alfresco Dining & Catering
Many guests choose to stay cocooned in the delicious isolation of their Pod, and order in one of Kate’s legendary hampers. A heaving hamper of local produce is delivered to your door, offering the best of the Peninsula.
Think meat from the farm; steak and sausages from our grass fed beef herd here at Te Wepu, processed at a MPI accrediated butchery in Chch, Kate’s infamous cob loaf made from home-baked bread, fresh seasonal fruit, and vegetable kebabs which are BBQ’d to make a warm BBQ’d couscous Salad. The hampers change with the seasons but are always fresh and loaded with rural Kiwi favourites. A bottle of wine is provided as well and we try and keep it as local as possible. Of course, you are most welcome to cater for yourself, bringing your own food and using the gas BBQ at your Pod.
The Dinner Hamper is $130 and feeds two well for one night; The Weekend Hamper ($250) includes two dinners as above, as well as a lunch of Richie’s kanuka smoked Akaroa salmon, cream cheese and capers on bread. This hamper also includes a few snacks. Hampers, and certain componenents of the hampers can be selected at booking.
The Hampers are a hit with guests, and cater for the bigger eaters.
In true Kiwi style, free range farm eggs are provided to create your own ‘Eggs Bene’, and there is a gas Weber BBQ for you to use. Kate’s homemade muesli is also available and it gets rave reviews.
