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Rockwood Station - The Carriage

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Rockwood Station - The Carriage

Windwhistle, Canterbury


The Carriage at Rockwood Station is just one hour and 15 minutes from Christchurch city and 25 minutes from both Darfield and Methven.

In 2019, hosts Ben and Cheryl purchased an old goods carriage and set about lovingly restoring and transforming it into a unique glamping experience. The Carriage is the second glamping retreat the couple have created after their highly successful Summer House.

The Carriage sits in a spot where two streams join to create the Hororata River. The carriage runs parallel to the river with a large deck area that enjoys beautiful, expansive views to Mt Hutt. It's a place to switch off, unplug and soak up the natural surrounds of the stunning high country farm. As the sun sets, you'll enjoy amazing technicolour skies and stunning cloud formations.

The Carriage has two bedrooms. It's perfect for either two couples or a family with up to three children. The main bedroom with ensuite has a queen-sized bed and at the other end of the carriage, a second bedroom has a double bed. There is room for one more small child on a built-in single bed in the second bedroom.

With large glass doors in the kitchen and lounge area connecting you to the outdoors, The Carriage is a fantastic experience year-round. In the summer, explore the farm and enjoy a dip in the natural swimming hole in the river... The deck is a suntrap, the perfect place for a cool drink on a hot day. The outdoor dining area makes for a fantastic alfresco dining experience. In the winter, it's warm, cosy and oozing with atmosphere... And the ideal ski pad! Complete with utility room for ski gear - and a perfect view of the mountain to assess the conditions.

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

The carriage at Rockwood Station is self-catering. Just bring your own food and cook meals using the BBQ and facilities provided in the 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, the towns of Darfield or Methven are just 25 minutes away. Both the Dubliner in Methven and the Ski Time in Methven, come highly recommended!

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

The Carriage at Rockwood Station is a beautiful place to slow down - and completely relax and destress. If you do feel like getting active though, there's plenty to do.

On the property, explore the 100 acre bush, and the stunning country garden. There's a good road network on the farm too. Hororata River, which runs past The Carriage has a natural swimming hole which makes a great place to cool off in the hot Canterbury summer.

In winter, hit the slopes! Mt Hutt is just 50 minutes from Rockwood Station and The Carriage has a special utility room for all your gear.

If you're a keen walker, there is plenty of great walking in the nearby Lake Coleridge area, with numerous tracks and walkways to choose from.

While there are no bicycle tracks around Rockwood Station, some of our guests like to bike to Lake Coleridge on the road - approximately 25kms. Check out the official website, or have a read of these handy digital leaflets [1] [2].

For fishing enthusiasts, the area offers two great spots. Lake Coleridge, a short drive further up from Rockwood, or the stunning Rakaia Gorge river, is accessible on the way to Methven via Windwhistle.

Rakaia Gorge has a jet boat company,Alpine Jet Thrills, operating jet rides up the Rakaia Gorge, about a 15-minute drive from Rockwood Station. There's a Riding School for keen horse riders just over the Rakaia Gorge Bridge and if clay bird shooting takes your fancy, Newzengland offers clay bird shooting and archery.

If you have ever wanted to try hot air ballooning, there are two operators in the area, Hot Air Adventures and Ballooning Canterbury.

For a relaxing afternoon, the More for You Beauty Salon on the main Street in Darfield offers massage and beauty therapy.

For the golfers - bring your clubs and visit the Hororata Golf Course in Glentunnel.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Ben is a 5th generation farmer in the Windwhistle area. His great, great grandfather Henry Phillips settled at Rockwood in 1851 after living in Phillipstown, Christchurch.

Cheryl, originally from Scotland, came to New Zealand in December 2003. She was introduced to Ben through a Scottish friend. In 2004, Cheryl came back to Rockwood to visit - and has been here ever since!

Ben and Cheryl married, and live in the homestead at Rockwood Station with their daughter, Emma. Over their time together at Rockwood, they've reinstated the bushwalk through the 100 acres of native bush on the property and embarked on a major bush care and regeneration project with the removal of wild sycamores from the property.

Rockwood Station has a fascinating family history, a beautiful homestead and old English garden. Ben and Cheryl have found immense satisfaction in restoring it to its former glory, and regenerating the stunning native bush surrounds. Sharing this with guests is something they love!

TESTIMONIALS

“ An amazing escape down south for a few days. Amazing property and landscapes, and the cabin made for a great semi off-grid experience. So many highlights, from the peaceful stream, the cool little fireplace, and the amazing night sky (we spotted six shooting stars within 30 mins!). ”

Lee Craig- 2025-04-30

20 / 20

“ Couldn’t fault anything, everything was awesome, loved the outside baths the peace and quiet, the river behind the carriage. Oh the bed was the best sleep I’ve had for a very long time. Highly recommend this place, will definitely be coming back. Thank you. ”

Kerrie Baird- 2026-04-15

1 / 20

“ Great location, fantastic communication. Very relaxing time away. ”

Sam Taylor- 2026-04-09

2 / 20

“ Everything was amazing! The location, vibe, hosts everything about it! Plus our three year old loved the novelty of the pull down bed. It was so warm with the fire and just the overall space was a dream! ”

Cassandra Kovacs- 2026-03-23

3 / 20

“ A beautiful place to escape and relax in nature. The Carriage is very cosy and has everything you might need for a weekend away. Would highly recommend star gazing from the outdoor baths. ”

Jemma Clarke- 2026-03-04

4 / 20

“ We had a lovely stay at The Carriage. It is in a beautiful setting close to some great walks and sights. ”

Penny Hibberd- 2026-02-24

5 / 20

“ Peaceful, warm and cosy despite the weather being cold and wet. ”

Christine BURGIN- 2026-02-22

6 / 20

“ Fantastic idyllic setting. Completely off-grid. Bird-song, river and very private. Loved that it was all solar/generator powered. Outside baths a treat too! Wonderful bush walk and private gardens nearby. ”

Helen Aitkenhead- 2026-02-19

7 / 20

“ Our stay at The Carriage at Rockwood Station was absolutely unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into our own peaceful little world. The setting is stunning, with rolling countryside, total privacy, and the most beautiful sunsets. We loved the outdoor bath experience, the cosy carriage itself, and exploring the property, including the bush walk and learning about the farm’s history. It was the perfect mix of rustic charm and comfort. Such a special place to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy a bit of adventure. We can’t wait to come back. ”

Imogene Stevens- 2026-02-16

8 / 20

“ Magic spot on a stunning farm. Outdoor baths were a treat! We loved out stay. ”

Amy Thornborrow- 2026-02-08

9 / 20

“ The accommodation was delightful. The beds were super comfortable and the wee fire place kept us cosy and warm. We enjoyed the outdoor baths immensely and the outdoor environment was just lovely. ”

Sandy Watson- 2026-01-21

10 / 20

“ Amazing area, private and perfect for an escape from the busy city. ”

Matthew Vaughan- 2025-11-18

11 / 20

“ Absolutely fantastic. The area is beautiful. Rockwood is gorgeous. Switching off from reality was just too easy. ”

Shannon Church- 2025-11-04

12 / 20

“ A beautiful couple of days unwinding with my girls. The flowing water, birds chirping, and the warm, cosy carriage made it perfect. We would love to come back again. ”

Jess Harrison- 2025-09-28

13 / 20

“ Such a wonderful experience staying here. I enjoyed every moment. ”

NORSAZMIRA ZAINI- 2025-08-31

14 / 20

“ Good set up, great to get away from everything, friendly owner checking everything was all good, very nice and warm with the fire. ”

Casey Egan-Beach- 2025-08-14

15 / 20

“ Our family weekend away to the carriage at Rockwood Station was exactly what we all needed. It was great to switch off from technology and really connect with each other. We all loved the serenity of the setting, as a family weekend away had a great time building a wee bridge out of rocks to cross the stream. We loved the history of the property and the spectacular old trees. The outdoor baths were a hit with us, as was the opportunity to just enjoy each other's company. We played tag, we danced, we laughed, we made bacon, eggs and hash browns for breakfast on the BBQ in -2deg frost and loved every single second. We’ve made precious memories that will never be forgotten. It was also lovely to have an opportunity to meet Ben and appreciate the time he took to check in on us. Fabulous host and fabulous location. Cannot recommend highly enough. ”

Amanda Newson- 2025-08-05

16 / 20

“ We had a wonderful stay. Thank you. ”

Susan Watson- 2025-06-16

17 / 20

“ It was the perfect place to relax and unwind from a busy schedule. The peaceful surroundings made it so easy to switch off, and we especially loved stargazing at night. Seeing the Milky Way so clearly was absolutely magical. A truly refreshing getaway. ”

Alisha Thapa- 2025-05-28

18 / 20

“ Great for families and to just get away from it all. ”

Claire Smyth- 2025-05-16

19 / 20

“ An amazing escape down south for a few days. Amazing property and landscapes, and the cabin made for a great semi off-grid experience. So many highlights, from the peaceful stream, the cool little fireplace, and the amazing night sky (we spotted six shooting stars within 30 mins!). ”

Lee Craig- 2025-04-30

20 / 20

“ Couldn’t fault anything, everything was awesome, loved the outside baths the peace and quiet, the river behind the carriage. Oh the bed was the best sleep I’ve had for a very long time. Highly recommend this place, will definitely be coming back. Thank you. ”

Kerrie Baird- 2026-04-15

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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