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Little Tin Shed

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Little Tin Shed

Mangawhai, Northland


Little Tin Shed is 1.5 hours from Auckland City and just 5 minutes from Mangawhai township.

The purpose-built glamping cabin is set on a 50-acre farm, looking out over gentle hills and pastures.

The cabin has been a passion project for the owner, Julia, and this is evident in the beautiful interior decor and careful design. Every detail has been thought about and expertly executed - from the stunning tiled shower to the crockery on the kitchen shelves.

Enjoy a cuppa on the verandah in the morning while watching the sheep grazing in the neighbouring paddocks. Pheasants often lurk in the long grass, and fantails flit in and out of the surrounding Manuka trees. When the waves are big, you'll hear them crashing onto the nearby beach.

During the day, explore all that Mangawhai has to offer with an e-bike, which is available for rent during your stay! After a day of adventure, follow the paved path from the cabin through the manuka to an outdoor bath – the perfect spot for stargazing on a clear night.

Bring your furry friend along too!

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

Little Tin Shed 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 want a break from cooking at any stage, Mangawhai is just a 5-minute drive away and has a variety of cafes to choose from. Bennetts Cafe or Brewed As. are recommended by your hosts for brunch, and The Dune or Mangawhai Tavern for dinner. Gringas Foodtruck is a must visit!

Mangawhai also has a 4square for stocking up on supplies.

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

Little Tin Shed is a beautiful and easy escape from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy a cuppa on the verandah with a good book, soak in the outdoor bath surrounded by manuka or battle it out over a board game.

Why not explore all that Mangawhai has to offer by bike, head to the beach or the market or explore the local winery. You can rent an electric bike for the duration of your stay and it will be waiting for you when you arrive at Little Tin Shed.

The Mangawhai Cliff Top Walk is known as one of the best coastal walks in New Zealand and a must-do if you're visiting the area. You can access this from Mangawhai Heads Surf Beach. Head in for a dip in the ocean afterwards!

For something a little less active and a little more decadent, visit Bennetts of Mangawhai - home of delicious hand-crafted chocolate.

Another weekend-must-do is the Mangawhai Tavern Markets.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Julia, Tim and Remi the orange Cavoodle are your hosts at Little Tin Shed.

Julia and Tim purchased the property in Mangawhai 3 years ago. After both growing up and living their entire lives in the area - it felt like the natural next step for them. They are currently building a home on the property. They love having the freedom of 50 acres of space, yet only being 5 minutes from the bustling town of Mangawhai. The local beaches are amazing, and they both have a love for all things outdoors.

Tim is a beekeeper and hobby farmer, running a few cows, a flock of sheep and plenty of chooks. They try their best to be organic where possible, using no sprays on the entire farm and growing a lot of their own vegetables.

Julia was a flight attendant for 6 years, until being made redundant in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. It was a chance to reset, and she poured her energy into creating the Little Tin Shed. With her love for interior decorating and hosting guests, it was the perfect opportunity to create a space where she could welcome like-minded glamping guests to their slice of New Zealand paradise.

TESTIMONIALS

“ We loved our stay at The Little Tin Shed! Great location and the cabin was so cosy and clean!! Would highly recommend. ”

Emily Taylor- 2025-03-25

20 / 20

“ Great place, absolutely loved it. Will go back. ”

Elton Hunter- 2026-05-29

1 / 20

“ What a beautiful little gem and thoughtfully designed space, just perfect for our BFF getaway! Julia was so accommodating and allowed us to have a late check-in so we could enjoy the bath and chill on the deck before! Would definitely come back again. What a special place to unwind and reset. ”

Vicky Chan- 2026-05-04

2 / 20

“ Couldn't imagine a more idyllic and gorgeous experience. The hosts were so wonderful and the whole experience left myself and my partner relaxed and refreshed. ”

Robyn Minns- 2026-04-20

3 / 20

“ I enjoyed the place, so quiet and comfortable. It was a rainy night, but I felt warm and safe. Very recommended to escape and be far from the routine. ”

Johana Orellana- 2026-04-20

4 / 20

“ What a relaxing retreat into nature with amazing beaches nearby to wander at sunset. The place was so beautifully decorated with reclaimed and natural materials. If I could live here, I would! ”

Agustina Cortina- 2026-04-17

5 / 20

“ Wonderful location with all the amenities you could ask for. Perfect summer or winter getaway. It was amazing hearing the waves crashing on the beach nearby! ”

Morgan Keen- 2026-04-03

6 / 20

“ Great place to go unwind and recharge, we will be back. ”

Tarsh Boobyer- 2026-03-23

7 / 20

“ Lovely relaxing space. ”

Claire McNally- 2026-03-13

8 / 20

“ Little Tin Shed was perfectly rustic but also so lush. Highly recommend this stay. ”

Kirsty Ford- 2026-03-10

9 / 20

“ The perfect spot to spend a weekend away from the city. The cabin is GORGEOUS, completely private, and only a five-minute drive from Mangawhai. ”

Jessica Perenara- 2026-03-09

10 / 20

“ We loved staying at the Little Tin Shed. It was cosy, comfortable and the perfect place to bunker down and escape a few days of bad weather. It was perfect! ”

Makayla Wells- 2026-01-28

11 / 20

“ Such a lovely little place to get away, filled with the sounds of various bird calls and farm animals. Absolutely loved it. ”

Molly Shaw- 2026-01-13

12 / 20

“ Little Tin Shed was just what we needed. Tucked away in its own private spot, the location and setting were great. The vibe inside was so nice, making it easy to relax. We really liked how private it felt, but you're still super close to town and other attractions in Mangawhai, which is handy. And big bonus points for being dog friendly. Our fur baby loved it too. Highly recommend this little gem. ”

Polly Ortiz- 2025-11-19

13 / 20

“ Our little weekend retreat was exactly what we needed. This beautifully designed Little Tin Shed is cosy and welcomes your fur-baby. The Tin Shed was so cosy and beautifully designed. We felt safe on the property and felt there was a good level of privacy. ”

Sarah Methven- 2025-09-15

14 / 20

“ Little Tin Shed just got the X FACTOR. Batteries fully recharged and lovely lasting memories, not least seeing our extremely happy doggo bouncing around enjoying the space. ”

Almut Kirkcaldy- 2025-09-06

15 / 20

“ Little Tin Shed was the perfect peaceful getaway. It was just a short drive away from Mangawhai Village but felt like a faraway hidden sanctuary. I had everything I needed, and the outdoor bath was just the best. I had the most blissful time and hope to be back again soon. ”

Nina Sophia Petrowsky- 2025-08-12

16 / 20

“ Such a peaceful spot! Loved the setup, it was super cosy and had everything you needed. Loved having the games and the bathtub was great. ”

Letesha Townsend- 2025-07-25

17 / 20

“ I would recommend Little Tin Shed to anybody that wants to take a break from the city and nestle amongst the beautiful farming areas of Mangawhai. The setting was so quiet and peaceful. The place itself was as cute as a button, and the outdoor bath was a standout. ”

Jess Mckimm- 2025-07-07

18 / 20

“ We thoroughly enjoyed our getaway from Auckland to the Little Tin Shed. The area is so quiet and spacious. The facilities were perfect for the two-night stay. We loved having an outdoor bath underneath the stars. The location was also close to the beach and good restaurants. ”

Samantha Steel- 2025-04-17

19 / 20

“ We loved our stay at The Little Tin Shed! Great location and the cabin was so cosy and clean!! Would highly recommend. ”

Emily Taylor- 2025-03-25

20 / 20

“ Great place, absolutely loved it. Will go back. ”

Elton Hunter- 2026-05-29

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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