Escape Image
Highfield Forest Retreat badge

Highfield Forest Retreat

Northland


Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Image 1 of 14 Image 2 of 14 Image 3 of 14 Image 4 of 14 Image 5 of 14 Image 6 of 14 Image 7 of 14 Image 8 of 14 Image 9 of 14 Image 10 of 14 Image 11 of 14 Image 12 of 14 Image 13 of 14 Image 14 of 14 Image 15 of 14 Image 16 of 14
Eating and Drinking

EATING AND DRINKING

Highfield Forest Retreat is self-catering. Just bring your own food and chilly-bin and cook your meals using the facilities provided in your private camp kitchen, the Kauri Hut. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

The nearest shop selling necessities is Kaihu Motors - an 8-minute drive away. There is a Countdown Supermarket in Dargaville, a 25-minute drive away.

When you fancy dining out, explore Dargaville township's restaurants or treat yourself to classic fish and chips at Baylys Beach ("Sharkeys"), both around a 25-minute drive away.

Things to Do

THINGS TO DO

Unplug from technology and immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of New Zealand native forest.

Reconnect over a board game, explore the nearby rocky stream, wander the bush track - or simply lie back in the steaming hot outdoor bath, and gaze through the canopy of trees to the sparkling night sky above.

There's plenty to do off the property as well. Visit Trounson Kauri Park to take in the magnificent kauri trees, or visit the Kai Iwi lakes. Check out Nelson's Kauri Shop and Mill at Kaihu, just down the road. Explore the nearby beaches! There's miles of white sandy shores to walk along.

At the end of the day, stop off on your way home for a drink and delicious meal at the Kaihu Tavern.

Your Hosts

YOUR HOSTS

Tracy and Simon Hayward are the owners and farmers of Highfield Farm. They'll be your hosts during your stay.

Tracy, Simon and their 5 children bought Highfield Farm in 2004. It's a dairy farm, milking 160 cows, and covering 90 hectares of farmland. A further 70 bush-covered hectares of the property were put into QEII protection by Tracy and Simon, along with a section of land on either side of the main river that runs through the property. Highfield Forest Retreat is nestled in a part of the QEII protected part of the farm.

With the combined effort of Hancocks Forestry, Northern Regional Council and DOC, Tracy and Simon have been trapping pests on their QEII block and up the valley. Through 'kiwi listening' they have established that they now have a moderate population of kiwi - which they look forward to seeing grow annually.

The Haywards felt that there was no better way to share what they've achieved on their farm, than by inviting people to stay on it. In March 2015 they purchased a 100+ year old kauri hut and started developing their first 'forest retreat' glamping site to open in December that same year. In 2016, they opened their second 'river retreat' glamping site.

TESTIMONIALS

“ We really enjoyed our stay! The privacy and tranquillity of the setting were lovely, with a super comfortable bed and great facilities. A great place to get away from it all, relax, unplug, and get closer to nature. ”

- 2024-02-13

20 / 20

“ It was perfect seclusion and disconnection with everyday stress and right to lap of nature. Hosts were very kind! We enjoyed our stay throughly. ”

Mayur Gawas- 2026-03-28

1 / 20

“ A great place, great atmosphere! It was clean! Absolutely loved it! Would go back! ”

Derek Best- 2026-03-23

2 / 20

“ Our stay in this tranquil, peaceful, beautiful forest escape was wonderful. The place is rustic, charming, and comfortable. It is the perfect place for a couple's getaway. ”

Stephen Trinder- 2026-03-10

3 / 20

“ Loved this riverside glamping spot near Dargaville! Slept to the soothing river sounds right outside the luxury tent. Pure magic. The cosy little fire was perfect for marshmallows and chats. The cute, compact kitchen in the camp cabin had everything needed for easy meals with character and charm. Private, peaceful, and beautifully set up. Highly recommend for a relaxing escape! ”

Shane Singh- 2026-02-15

4 / 20

“ Merely breathing shatters the silence. A place to de-intensify, replenish, reflect, re-prioritise, simplify, plan, and re-programme. Highfield Forest needs to be 'felt'. ”

Brett Holleron- 2026-01-14

5 / 20

“ Magical place and setting! ”

TIM LUM- 2025-12-14

6 / 20

“ A sweet escape into the ngāhere, 10/10 would go again! ”

Skylar Campbell- 2025-11-30

7 / 20

“ A great little spot to rest and recharge. ”

Kari Young- 2025-10-14

8 / 20

“ Highfield Forest Retreat is an absolute dream. The hosts have thought of everything. Perfect getaway. ”

Rochelle Williamson- 2025-08-25

9 / 20

“ This place was amazing. We will be back. Well stocked so you don’t feel like you're camping or roughing it, but still an amazing vibe of complete isolation in the wilderness. ”

Bayley Somerville- 2025-07-21

10 / 20

“ We had a lovely stay in the middle of July. The little cabin was super cosy with "Flick", the little fireplace. The shower was warm and satisfying and we were snug in bed with the thick duvet and using the gas airflow heater. With the cold ambient temperatures, there was no problem keeping our food chilled. ”

Karina Harrison-Wilde- 2025-07-09

11 / 20

“ We had an absolutely magical getaway – literally the most amazing retreat. The weather was atrocious most of the time, but we sat on the veranda dry and listening to the rain. We walked the trail on the property – beautiful even in rain. We enjoyed the fire in the living area, and in between rainstorms we enjoyed the outdoor fireplace and bath. The place, the trees, the stars, absolutely everything was perfect. Thank you. ”

Lisa Gombinsky Roach- 2025-04-22

12 / 20

“ We had an awesome time at Highfield Forest Retreat and we will recommend it to our friends. ”

Lui Escalona- 2025-03-24

13 / 20

“ A wonderful setting amongst the kauri to rest and absorb nature. Super private and peaceful. ”

Scott Hindman- 2025-03-18

14 / 20

“ We thoroughly enjoyed our one-night stay at Highfield Forest Retreat. The cottage look and feel was great and the bed was super comfortable. We enjoyed hearing the Moreporks calling after dark. A wonderful, relaxing escape. ”

Ian Adams- 2025-03-07

15 / 20

“ My husband and I had a child free weekend away here for my birthday. It was perfect, down to the smallest detail. Highly recommend! ”

Nicole Lovesy- 2025-01-21

16 / 20

“ Our stay was a very special trip down memory lane. Tracey and Simon gave us a very special welcome. ”

Wendy Guex- 2024-12-07

17 / 20

“ Due to the weather conditions, the hosts Tracy and Simon recommended changing from the Forest to the River retreat, which provided a bit more light. The setting and cleanliness of the retreat were 10/10, providing for a truly delightful 'away from the hustle and bustle' experience. The fireplace and outdoor bathtub allowed for exceptional warmth and relaxation during the winter months! ”

Ryan Pollock- 2024-06-30

18 / 20

“ We had a wonderful time at Highfield Forest Retreat. It was very memorable, and we enjoyed every second of it. Thank you for sharing it with us. ”

- 2024-02-18

19 / 20

“ We really enjoyed our stay! The privacy and tranquillity of the setting were lovely, with a super comfortable bed and great facilities. A great place to get away from it all, relax, unplug, and get closer to nature. ”

- 2024-02-13

20 / 20

“ It was perfect seclusion and disconnection with everyday stress and right to lap of nature. Hosts were very kind! We enjoyed our stay throughly. ”

Mayur Gawas- 2026-03-28

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

BROWSE OUR COLLECTION

Relax. Unplug. Savour a unique holiday experience. A secret weekend escape.

A family holiday.

Whatever the reason, let nature back in – go glamping!

Find your escape
Mobile