Wednesday 9 July 2014

Glamping in the Wairarapa

Kawakawa Station Glamping

I've always been partial to camping - maybe because as a child it was completely off the agenda. This is something our family did not do - and quite possibly that is exactly what makes it so appealing now. But lets be honest, - camping does have its downside. For one thing the ground is hard; airbeds can go flat;  it can get very cold at night; it can get very hot at night; the shower block is always too far away - or equally as bad, you get the lucky last spot right outside the toilets. Solution? Go glamping.




Kawakawa Station glamping in the Wairarapa is tucked nicely into a sheltered hillside,. Its a sunny spot with great views if you choose to climb the hill behind, and a river nearby. The safari style tents are large and sound. There was no storm but these tents felt strong enough to probably survive a bit of a blow anyway. One of the two tents is set on a timber deck. The other has carpet throughout ...  carpet in a tent? How good is that! Both have comfy futon beds, with lots of duvets and warmth. The largest of the two tents has a table,chairs, sofas and a pot belly stove.


A short distance away is the camp kitchen - outdoors yes, but still under shelter. There is also a fridge not too far away where the essentials can be kept cold. As well as a shower and toilet block there is the fabulous outdoor bath to enjoy, heated by a gas burner, where you can relax and enjoy views down the dry creek bed: -  In fact this riverbed can become an impassable torrent in heavy rain as it catches the run-off from the steep hills and channels it down to the river in the valley below.

A night or two glamping at Kawakawa Station is a very pleasant way to spend some time, with great walks (the Pinnacles are nearby) and the wild Wairarapa coast to enjoy by day, and the crystal clear starry sky to appreciate from the deck of your safari tent by night.