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Heartwood Hollow

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Heartwood Hollow

Tauranga, Bay of Plenty


Heartwood Hollow is a 20-minute drive from Tauranga City and just 30 minutes from Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty.

As the name suggests, Heartwood Hollow is a magical earth house tucked into a beautiful hillside surrounded by mature trees and native bush.

Your journey begins along a winding cobblestone path that leads to a curved timber entrance and a large, circular doorway. Step inside and you'll find a king-size bed dressed in luxurious linens, a handmade kitchen of recycled Totara, and a generous ensuite with artisan detailing throughout. Every element — from the carved beams to the gentle curves of the windows — speaks to the care and craftsmanship of a simpler, slower world.

Warmed by a crackling wood burner and filled with soft light and earthy textures, the hollow offers deep comfort in every corner. Outside, twin outdoor bathtubs await — perfect for stargazing and soaking beneath a velvet night sky.

This is a place to slow down, to disconnect, and to imagine yourself in a world where nature, magic, and craft converge. Heartwood Hollow is not just a stay — it’s a step into a story.

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

Heartwood Hollow is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the facilities provided in your kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

If you fancy a meal out, The Local Bar & Eatery in Omokoroa (9-minute drive), The White House or Nourish Cafe in Te Puna (10-minute drive) and Talisman Hotel in Katikati (20-minute drive) are a few fantastic options to consider.

The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is in Omokoroa, just a 9-minute drive.

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

There are plenty of relaxing activities to keep you occupied at Heartwood Hollow. Soak in the twin outdoor bathtubs and enjoy the view of gorgeous greenery. Start that book you've been meaning to read - or challenge your significant other to a game of Gin Rummy!

If you're keen to get out and about, one on-theme activity would be to visit the set of 'Hobbiton' (as seen in films 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings') in Matamata, a pleasant 1-hour drive from Heartwood Hollow. Pahoia Beach is only 5-minutes away - a quiet and safe spot. Omokoroa Beach, a 10-minute drive, is another stunning beach with ice creams, coffees and a wharf for fishing. There are beautiful walks and cycling tracks in the area too.

A short 15-minute drive to the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park provides multiple walking tracks with waterfalls and native bush.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Your hosts at Heartwood Hollow are Warren and Sally, and children Esther, Eli, and Grace.

The family have lived on the property for three and a half years. They adore the outdoor lifestyle the Pahoia region offers, particularly the harbour, Kaimai forest - and the ice cream shops!

Warren and Sally have been building and renovating together for 13 years. Heartwood Hollow is the realisation of their dream to create something beautiful and unique - that looked over 100 years old. Throughout their marriage, they have collected little treasures along the way, like bricks from the Christchurch earthquake where they first met, and Rimu from an old barn in Waikato (used to build the kitchen and window seat in the Hollow). Each piece of heartwood timber was carved by hand using an antique adze. They even learned how to make stain-glass windows to handmake the Hollow's windows themselves. It's evident just how much love and energy went into creating this beautiful earth house.

TESTIMONIALS

“ Did not want to leave this magical hideaway spot after three nights.A beautifully stunning place to relax and enjoy a slow pace of life. ”

Kirsty Murray- 2025-09-27

20 / 20

“ Perfect in every way. Would recommend in a heartbeat. ”

Amanda Taylor- 2026-05-25

1 / 20

“ Absolutely loved the stay, so cosy in the cold with the fire place and cosy setting. Perfect place to relax and unwind. ”

Cayden Imms- 2026-05-03

2 / 20

“ Unforgettable stay, you feel like you’re transported into another world. Very relaxing and charming, loved the outdoor baths too. ”

Alice Talmage- 2026-04-20

3 / 20

“ Very cool place to stay and relax. ”

Phill Berry- 2026-04-11

4 / 20

“ So relaxing and peaceful. Well above expectations. Thank you. ”

Lisa Phillips- 2026-03-25

5 / 20

“ Beautiful spot to spend the weekend, away from the noise of every day life. Highly recommend. ”

Henry Visser- 2026-03-16

6 / 20

“ What a fantastic spot! A lot of work went in to creating this space and it shows. Very peaceful location, easy to find and not too far off the beaten track. The space was very clean and the hosts were fantastic! ”

Pam Day- 2026-02-19

7 / 20

“ So so so beautiful, like being in some romantic movie. I will be thinking about reading and drinking tea in that window seat for years to come. Fulfilled every one of our little hobbity dreams. ”

Nina Radich- 2026-02-18

8 / 20

“ The property was amazing and better than we expected. The craftsmanship is stunning, also very private. ”

Leonie Lightfoot- 2026-02-15

9 / 20

“ Beautifully crafted and settled in its own area of bush. Loved the outdoor baths. ”

Mary & Michael Jones- 2026-02-09

10 / 20

“ Absolutely beautiful and peaceful setting. We had a really lovely time. ”

Olga Popping- 2026-01-21

11 / 20

“ Such a beautifully crafted space, so relaxing, and it smells of the delicious wood used in its creation. The workmanship is exceptional. Thank you for creating this little piece of heaven. ”

Tania Vinson- 2026-01-12

12 / 20

“ That was an amazing and atmospheric place. We really enjoyed it. ”

Oleg Safin- 2026-01-09

13 / 20

“ Lovely place to stay and close to lots of cool spots in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. ”

Steve Brouwer- 2025-12-05

14 / 20

“ Heartwood Hollow really is an amazing space. Loved our two nights. ”

Rebecca Trevenar- 2025-11-22

15 / 20

“ Heartwood Hollow was, without a doubt, one of the best places we have ever stayed. So much thought and love has gone into the construction and design of the accommodation. It feels more like a complete enriching experience, than just a night away. Thoroughly recommend. ”

keely muir- 2025-11-18

16 / 20

“ We loved every minute of our stay in this magical place. We did not want to leave. The craftsmanship was wonderful, the special touches perfect, and of course, the outdoor baths topped the whole experience off. Definitely recommending it to everyone as a must-do. We will return. ”

Rose McAtamney- 2025-11-05

17 / 20

“ Words fail us with our recent stay at Heartwood Hollow. This is our third stay under Canopy Camping and by far our most memorable. We had events planned that we didn't even attend as we didn't want to leave the accommodation. Caught up on some well needed sleep! ”

Gia Williams- 2025-11-05

18 / 20

“ Fantastic wee house, full of character! ”

Angela Kell- 2025-10-19

19 / 20

“ Did not want to leave this magical hideaway spot after three nights.A beautifully stunning place to relax and enjoy a slow pace of life. ”

Kirsty Murray- 2025-09-27

20 / 20

“ Perfect in every way. Would recommend in a heartbeat. ”

Amanda Taylor- 2026-05-25

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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