Wild Canvas is tucked away in the rolling green hill country of Waitomo, offering a rare sense of total isolation just minutes from the region's famous limestone labyrinths. It is less of a standard stay and more of a hilltop sanctuary, where the only neighbors are the native birds and the sweeping, unobstructed views of the King Country landscape. This is glamping at its most refined—a place where the silence is absolute and the pace of life slows to the rhythm of the surrounding farm.
The accommodation consists of two secluded safari-style tents, Kōwhai and Pōhutukawa, each perched on its own private ridge more than a kilometer apart to ensure complete exclusivity. Inside, you’ll find high-end linens and curated décor, but the real draw is the outdoor living space designed for complete immersion in nature. Each site features its own private outdoor bath or hot tub, a campfire for late-night sessions under the stars, and even an outdoor projector for a cinematic experience in the middle of the wilderness.
If you’re planning a stay, be sure to book well in advance, as these sites are highly sought after and often fill up months ahead of time. Since the experience is focused on self-catering and privacy, arrive with a well-stocked cooler of local produce to make the most of the outdoor kitchen and BBQ setup. It’s also worth packing some warm layers for the evening; even in mid-summer, the temperature on these exposed hilltops can drop quickly once the sun sets, making the heat of the outdoor bath even more inviting.