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Hawkdun Hut

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Hawkdun Hut

St Bathans, Otago


** Note that for bookings between May - September, you must have your own 4WD SUV to access Hawkdun Hut.**

Hawkdun Hut is situated in the heart of Otago, a two-hour drive northeast of Queenstown and two hours northwest of Dunedin.

Nestled in the barren high country, Hawkdun Hut provides a unique retreat with panoramic views of Mt St Bathans and the Hawkdun Mountain range. The historic gold mining cliffs can be seen directly from the front of the hut, overlooking Grey Lake.

The hut's open-plan space features a lounging area with a large window framing a magnificent mountain view. Two sliding doors on either side offer easy indoor/outdoor flow onto the wraparound deck. The kitchen is small, yet well-equipped with everything you need. A cosy queen-sized bed behind the kitchen has easy access to the hut's bathroom via a barn-style door. To the side of the cabin, a shaded verandah with a BBQ and picnic table offers the perfect spot to cook, relax, and take in the scenery.

As the evening unfolds, watch the sky burst into shades of red and orange, casting a magical glow on the mountains. Best enjoyed while soaking in the outdoor bath.

A pathway from the hut, lined with pine trees, leads you to the magical sight of Grey Lake. This spot of serenity overlooks the towering white cliffs and makes for the perfect summer's day dip or picnic.

The property also features another glamping escape called Vinegar Hill, an equally stunning glamping escape and ideal for families.

Includes use of SUPs

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

Hawkdun Hut is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the two-burner gas hob and Weber BBQ provided. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

If you want a break from cooking, there are some great restaurants within half an hour's drive.

The Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans, a renowned 141-year-old pub often referred to as "the most haunted pub in New Zealand," is just a 5-minute drive away. Another historic pub is the Wedderburn Tavern, located 20 minutes away, which also offers excellent food. During the busy season, it's recommended to make reservations in advance at both of these pubs.

The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is in Omakau, 25 minutes away.

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

Inside the hut, you can enjoy a cosy experience by playing board games and card games next to a warm fireplace, or relax in an outdoor bath with a glass of your favourite.

Grey Lake is a secluded gem within historic gold mining surroundings, just a 1km walk from the hut. Ideal for summer swimming, it's surrounded by high white cliffs and gorgeous views. While it's possible for other farm visitors to use the lake, the odds are high that you'll have this beautiful spot all to yourselves. Don't forget to make use of the paddleboards, available for guest use! Life jackets are also provided.

St. Bathans, just a 5-minute drive away, offers a glimpse into history with its historic village, including beautiful old houses, a post shop, and a pub. The nearby Blue Lake is perfect for a 2km walk and refreshing swims. For adventure seekers with a 4WD vehicle, the Oteake Conservation Area, only 20 minutes away, allows you to explore the Hawkdun Range through walking tracks or a scenic drive. Alexandra, a 50-minute drive, boasts fantastic mountain biking trails, and the Central Otago Rail Trail, located 15km down the road, is perfect for cycling enthusiasts, winding through charming old towns rich in gold mining history.

Great fishing spots are also available at the local rivers.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Your hosts at Hawkdun Hut are Tom, Sonya, and their sons, Jackson and McKay.

The family have called this 11,000-hectare property home since 2016, and their passion for the outdoors runs deep. Whether they're hunting in the hills, biking rugged trails, exploring by 4WD, or camping under the stars, they're happiest when they're out on the land together.

Tom manages the expansive farm, while Sonya is a stay-at-home mum. Their venture into glamping began with Sonya's vision to create something meaningful while balancing motherhood and rural life. That vision first took shape as Hawkdun Hut and has since grown to include their second escape, Vinegar Hill.

For the family, sharing these experiences felt like a natural step. They'd spent countless nights camping on their own property, captivated by the views and the peace of the high country, and knew others would feel the same magic.

TESTIMONIALS

“ This is our third Canopy Camping experience and Hawkdun Hut has been by far our favourite. We loved the views and access to a private lake plus the outdoor bath. Fantastic place to stay. ”

RACHEL MCGREGOR- 2026-01-08

20 / 20

“ Fabulous spot with the most amazing views and night sky. ”

Jolene Lynn- 2026-05-18

1 / 20

“ Loved our experience at Hawkdun hut. Something very special to be in such beautiful tranquil surroundings. ”

Roger & Anne Smith- 2026-05-16

2 / 20

“ A fantastic spot for a weekend away. You feel like you're alone in the wilderness but only five minutes from civilisation. Beautiful outlook and great facilities. ”

Amanda Gould- 2026-04-20

3 / 20

“ Beautiful stay, really well thought out and a great place to just unwind. ”

Nikita Cruickshank- 2026-04-14

4 / 20

“ Hawkdun Hut is a cosy yet well-proportioned and well-provisioned hut, perfectly located with the best sunset and sunrise views of the Hawkdun Range. Close proximity to St Bathans township for walks and history and fantastic hospitality at the Vulcan Hotel. We would definitely recommend a stay here (if you can get a booking). Thank you Sonya and Tom. ”

Nicky Third- 2026-04-13

5 / 20

“ Beautiful and peaceful setting! Lovely cosy fire to curl up and read a book, and the hot tub was very relaxing, watching the stars. ”

Lilly Hanson- 2026-04-12

6 / 20

“ We had a wonderful weekend. The surrounding scenery is absolutely beautiful, and the peace and quiet made it feel like we had the whole world to ourselves. It’s the perfect place to unwind and soak in nature. The cabin itself is charming and well-appointed, and the bath is a fantastic bonus—such a treat after a day outdoors. The only thing to be aware of is the road leading to the property. It can be a bit rough, so it’s best to drive slowly and carefully to avoid any potential damage to your vehicle. Sonya is a lovely host, very responsive and easy to communicate with throughout our stay. We would highly recommend this timeless, tranquil spot to anyone looking for a relaxing, romantic escape. ”

Katia de Le Hoye- 2026-03-31

7 / 20

“ Beautiful little cabin on the hilltop. Everything you need for an enjoyable stay. Nice to have a walking track down to the old mining area too. Definitely recommended coming here!! ”

Beth Torrie- 2026-03-30

8 / 20

“ Such a lovely stay beautiful views, cosy and comfortable. ”

Amiee Wyber- 2026-03-26

9 / 20

“ The private lake at Hawkdun Hut was amazing! If you're interested in gold mining history, this is the spot to book! ”

Christina Goodwin- 2026-03-12

10 / 20

“ We had a great stay at Hawkdun Hut. It is a fantastic setting and a wonderful place to relax. Highly recommended! ”

Stephen Hardy- 2026-03-02

11 / 20

“ Perfect little romantic stay for our honeymoon. Even though it was a rainy day, it was absolutely beautiful sitting by the fire with a book, red wine and an incredible view. ”

Sarah Chapman- 2026-03-01

12 / 20

“ Great location. Great cabin with everything you need, the fresh loaf of bread and bottle of wine and chocolates were a super nice touch on arrival. Highly enjoyed our four night stay. ”

Matthew Lott- 2026-02-23

13 / 20

“ A beautiful property with everything you need for an escape into the stunning central scenery. Having the pretty Grey Lake within walking distance of the hut is an unexpected bonus feature of our stay. There are so many reasons why Hawkdun Hut is so popular! ”

Lisa Schofield- 2026-02-23

14 / 20

“ Unique setting with great facilities and felt very welcomed by the host. The walk option to the lake was easily doable and worth it. ”

Amber Overton- 2026-02-21

15 / 20

“ Thoroughly enjoyable stay, amazing views, peaceful location. Warm, clean, modern hut, with tasty extras included. Short distance to St Bathans historical town. Fully recommend staying here. ”

Nicola Adamson- 2026-02-13

16 / 20

“ We highly recommend Hawkdun Hut. What a location and the facilities were amazing. Great night skies for our stay, so we could see the stars and satellites whizzing by. ”

Louise Lawrence- 2026-02-09

17 / 20

“ We absolutely loved our stay at Hawkdun Hut. The hosts were super friendly and easy to communicate with. The location was magical, and having a bath overlooking the Hawkdun Mountain Range was just amazing. Paddleboarding in Grey Lake was also so fun! Thanks again! ”

Gina Lowen- 2026-02-08

18 / 20

“ What a fabulous spot, the hut is lovely and had everything we needed. An amazing relaxing stay, would recommend. ”

Fiona Smith- 2026-02-08

19 / 20

“ This is our third Canopy Camping experience and Hawkdun Hut has been by far our favourite. We loved the views and access to a private lake plus the outdoor bath. Fantastic place to stay. ”

RACHEL MCGREGOR- 2026-01-08

20 / 20

“ Fabulous spot with the most amazing views and night sky. ”

Jolene Lynn- 2026-05-18

1 / 20

Scenic coastal landscape viewed through a golden tent opening, showing lush green hillside with forest line meeting turquoise ocean waters under clear blue sky

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