Birch Hill

Please note check in b****y 7pm is appreciated. Later arrival can be made with your host by arrangement, but there are strictly no check-ins after 9:30pm after dark.

There are two tents and a cabin available during the summer season to accommodate larger groups. Birch Hills is only ever used by one group at a time - whether there are two or ten of you! We think the accommodation best suits 2 or 3 couples, or 2 families holidaying together depending on sleeping and sharing preferences. Full linen, towels and bedding are supplied. All beds are made up of 100% cotton linen and wool duvets.

Tent One is a large wooden-framed tent with a 24sqm wooden floor space, sleeping up to 4 people. There is one queen-size bed and a sofa bed which folds out to sleep 2 singles.

Tent Two is a luxury, standing-height, pup tent. It has a 3.3m x 3.3m floor space and comfortably sleeps up to two people in two single beds.

The cabin sleeps 4, there is one queen-size bed and a sofa bed which folds out to sleep 2 singles.

Please note: Birch Hill is suited to smaller groups in the winter months as only the main tent has a wood burner.

The camp kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, with hot and cold water, ample storage and plenty of bench space. There is a BBQ and 2-burner gas ring facility available for cooking. All the pots, pans and utensils you'll need for cooking and eating are provided. Energy for hot water and cooking is supplied via LPG gas bottles.

A large chilly bin is supplied for cool food storage and cold pack replacements are kept in the glamper's fridge freezer in the vehicle shed, which you can access anytime.

There is a fully enclosed group lounging and dining area, but note that this is not heated over the winter months.

Some pantry basics are supplied - coffee, sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper and cooking oil.

The camp bathroom has a separate flushing toilet, a basin and a double-head shower (rain head and standard).

An outdoor cast iron, claw foot bath in a private open-air "bath house" has unimpeded views of the countryside. A private outdoor bush shower is also available with a luxurious rain head. Energy for hot water is supplied by LPG gas bottles.

Towels and body wash are provided.

Birch Hill is completely off-the-grid, so has no electric power source. Energy for hot water and cooking is supplied via LPG gas bottles. Lighting is provided via solar-powered lanterns that double as portable torches.

A solar-powered music player is supplied at the site (with Bluetooth). Power points for charging are available at the vehicle shed.

Mobile phone reception is available at the campsite and power points for charging are available at the vehicle shed.

There is a wood burner in the large tent which keeps it cosy and warm. There is no heating in the smaller tents or in the kitchen/lodge area.

Open campfires are not allowed, but there is an outdoor brazier available for use at Birch Hill, which provides a great ambience and a chance to toast marshmallows! At some times of the year, there are local fire bans and if there is one in place during your stay (Your hosts, Libby and Ben, will let you know that the brazier is unavailable).

Birch Hill 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!

Birch Hill has lots of warm bedding, a wood-burner in the main tent, and lots of other elements to make your stay cosy and atmospheric. But if you book a stay in winter, bear in mind that the kitchen/living lodge is not heated. You'll need to bring your sense of adventure, and be prepared for the elements!

Yes! Children are welcome at Birch Hill. A bonus for parents of small children is that the accommodation is fully fenced so you can rest easy.

If you're bringing your infant, please bring your own bedding and portacot. A highchair will be provided.

Yes, Birch Hill is one of our dog-friendly and horse-friendly campsites, but please read all the information below before bringing your dog or horse to Birch Hill.

Doggy House Rules:

• There is a charge of $20 per dog per night
• The campsite is fenced with a conventional farm fence and has a wooden gate. One wire is electric and this can be turned OFF during your stay.
• Birch Hill is a restricted dog zone. All dogs entering the property must be up to date with vaccines and regularly wormed or dosed at least 48 hours prior to arrival (including for Praziquantel) Find out more about Ovis Management in NZ.
• 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 lodge.
• Dogs are not allowed inside the tents (cream canvas and paws don't mix well!
• Please bring your own crate and/or dog bed and do not allow your dog on any furniture or soft furnishings.
• If your dog hasn't been around sheep and cattle before, please keep the gate shut while at the campsite and keep them on the lead while walking to gauge their reaction before letting them off, to ensure the safety of our stock.
• There is a predator control programme in place on the farm, which starts just beyond the big silver woolshed (800m from the campsite). The traps are behind farm fences, bright blue, on the ground and held in place with a metal peg. The traps pose a risk to small dogs who can get through a farm fence.

Bring Your Horse

There is a one-off charge of $15 per horse per night which you can book through the online booking process. You'll have ample parking for horse trucks, a fenced paddock beside the woolshed with a water trough, and two wash-down hoses.

Birch Hill is tucked well into the property so you'll enjoy the peace and quiet of being on your own, with the odd farm animal sounds to keep you company! There is a farm cottage in the distance behind the property, but you will not be disturbed by this.

Birch Hill has excellent, drive-on access with parking right next to the kitchen area for ease of packing and unpacking. Because your car is so handy, you can come and go from the property any time you please to either explore the local area or head off to the beach - just 20 minutes down the road.

There is ample parking for a trailer or boat.

• Food and drink - make sure you bring all the food and drink you need for your stay
• An extra chilly bin - if you're a large group, you might find it handy to have an extra chilly bin on hand
• Walking shoes or boots - if you're keen to explore the farm on foot
• Warm clothes - it can be very chilly in the mornings and at night. A warm jersey and long pants are a must.
• Shower and bath toiletries
• Insect repellent and Sunscreen
• Extra torches - we supply plenty of lanterns and some solar-powered lights but it pays to bring a few extra torches. Head torches can be particularly handy
• Towels for swimming - bring some spare beach towels for taking off the property to swim
• Mountain bikes - bring your bikes and explore the many tracks around the farm

Birch Hill is a working sheep and beef farm, 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 Tent Information Pack. These terms and guidelines include:

• Visitors to the farm stay at their own risk. This is a working farm with hazards both farm related (ie. machinery and animals) and natural (ie. Ongaonga/stinging nettle)
• Leave gates as you find them
• Avoid unnecessarily disturbing stock on the property
• Extreme caution driving in and out of the property
• Supervise young children carefully. There are specific water hazards for young children on the property such as water troughs and dams.
• For your own safety please do not touch any farm machinery, and do not enter the farm buildings on the property.

Bring Your Horse - a one-off charge of $15 per horse, per night.

You'll have ample parking for horse trucks, a fenced paddock beside the woolshed with a water trough, and two wash-down hoses.

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.

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.

• Food and drink - make sure you bring all the food and drink you need for your stay
• Toiletries
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Beach towels for taking off the property for swimming
• Warm clothing for cooler evenings

Give the gift of glamping! Gift Vouchers are available for use at any of our glamping spots in the Canopy Camping Escapes collection. 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.

We've teamed up with Gift Box company 'XO' to bring you a 'special treat' gift box to celebrate those special occasions. The Unwind Gift Box features a bottle of Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut sparkling wine, 'Bubbly Bears' deluxe sweets, a speciality chocolate bar from the House of Chocolate, and a jar of Light and Vessel bath salts - all beautifully presented in a black gift box with tissue paper and an optional handwritten note. Order your Celebration Gift Box now, and it will be waiting for you on arrival.

Please note: Gift Boxes are sent 15 days before your arrival date to ensure timely delivery. If you cancel your stay within this time frame, the cost of the Gift Box will not be refunded.

**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](https://www.canopycamping.co.nz/)) (**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]

**2.1** 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.

**3.1** 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](https://www.nzta.govt.nz/) 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](https://www.metservice.com/) 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.

**4.1** 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.

**5.1** 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.

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.

Hunting or motorcycles are not permitted on the properties.

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.

**9.1** 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.

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 [\[email protected\]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection) 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.

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.

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.

These Booking Conditions are governed by New Zealand law and the New Zealand courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

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.

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.