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The Shieling

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The Shieling

Carterton, Wellington-Wairarapa


The Shieling is an 8-minute drive from Carterton and Greytown in the Wairarapa and a 1-hour and 30-minute drive from Wellington.

The spacious and beautifully decorated tent for couples is situated in a newly established orchard surrounded by mature trees. From the large deck, unwind and soak in the views across paddocks to historic poplars.

Inside, you'll have all the amenities you need, including a comfortable king-size bed. A small lean-to kitchen is attached to the front of the tent, and the toilet and shower are down a path 20m behind the tent. A magical wood-fired hot tub also awaits, offering a warm and soothing escape nestled within nature.

This 5-hectare sanctuary is adorned with mature trees and native plantings, creating a haven for New Zealand's birdlife. Tūī, bellbirds, blackbirds, rosellas, fantails, and silver eyes flit through the foliage, with the occasional kārearea (NZ falcon) soaring above.

In summer, relax under the shade of the trees as the dragonflies and Red Admiral butterflies flitter by and cicadas sing. As day turns to night, soak up dark star-studded skies under the magical Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

The Shieling is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the gas BBQ and single gas ring provided. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

If you fancy a meal out, there are plenty of choices to pick from in the Wairarapa. In Carterton, you have Balter Bar & Restaurant, Aunt Ginger's Kitchen, Almo Books & Cafe. There is also Clareville Bakery, open everyday aside from Sunday. Urlar Vineyard in Gladstone, 10 minutes away, offers wine tastings and a carefully curated menu in a beautiful setting.

For those seeking boutique cafes and finer dining establishments, Greytown is the place to be. Or try the host's local wine and distillery favourites, such as Carterton Hop & Vine or Greytown Distilling Company.

The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is New World in Carterton or Fresh Choice in Greytown, both an 8-minute drive away.

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

Days are spent relaxing here – reading, unwinding, or enjoying a game from our selection of board games, while nights unveil nature's greatest spectacle as the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve stretches endlessly above.

For those who want to get out and about, the Wairarapa has so much to offer.

Shoppers will love Greytown Mainstreet, which has boutique clothing stores, antiques, and gift shops.

Why not try Juno Olives' Grove to Table Tour? Stroll through the flowering or fruit-laden olive groves (depending on the season), explore the harvest equipment, visit the production facility with its tank and bottling rooms, and finish with a tasting of their delicious oils.

We recommend Tararua National Park and Pukaha Mount Bruce hiking trails for a breath of fresh air in nature. There is also great cycling in the area, with the Remutaka Rail Trail and several mountain bike parks.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Your hosts at The Shieling are James and Tracey, along with their dog Louis Mac.

Having relocated from Wellington in June 2024, they discovered this property by chance while browsing online. What began as a casual day trip to an open home in the Wairarapa turned into an irresistible calling, leading them to make this special place their home.

They've fallen in love with their new rural lifestyle – from the abundant birdlife and expansive skies to the tranquil evenings and star-filled nights. The area's boutique villages, quirky charm, and vibrant community events add to the appeal of country living. James brings his expertise in recruitment while Tracey continues her work as a primary school teacher.

Having lived in Scotland for many years, both Tracey and James share a deep connection to the country. As a tribute to their Scottish experiences and heritage, they named their escape 'The Shieling,' after the historic, rustic Highland shelters that were used as summer huts and grazing lands in the subsistence farming model of the time.

TESTIMONIALS

“ Tracey was a great host and made our stay so comfortable. Really enjoyed everything about the place. It exceeded our expectations. I didn’t want to leave. Will surely come do it again. ”

Nyasha Cynthia Makanjera- 2025-06-30

20 / 20

“ Beautiful setting in the country, the bird calls were wonderful to wake up to. Cosy fire inside and outdoors for the hot pool, we loved it. ”

Rachel Rennie- 2026-05-12

1 / 20

“ Lovely spot for an escape from normality. My husband and I really enjoyed the attention to detail and little touches. ”

Rosalie Mcfadzean- 2026-05-10

2 / 20

“ A warm welcome and our hosts explained/talked with us about points we needed to know about. That was very helpful. ”

Peter Clarke- 2026-05-08

3 / 20

“ Lovely host, clean, and everything there that we needed. Well thought out. Beautiful scenery and great glamping experience. ”

Jan Hiotakis- 2026-05-04

4 / 20

“ Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. It was beautiful and we are recommending it to all our friends!! Some are already checking dates to book. Thanks Tracey for being so welcoming and for creating such a wonderful, special getaway. ”

Jason Conway- 2026-05-02

5 / 20

“ Was a great get away. Would highly recommend. Loved all the little touches. ”

Sasha Kendrick- 2026-04-12

6 / 20

“ A very special place! Beautifully presented, with lots of lovely little touches and a lovely host. Highly recommend! ”

Hayley Crawford- 2026-04-01

7 / 20

“ We had the most amazing stay! Everything was just beautiful and the attention to detail was noticed. Definitely recommend staying at The Sheiling to anyone! ”

Carmen O’Shaughnessy- 2026-03-24

8 / 20

“ Lovely peaceful location, friendly informative host, loved the wood fired hot pool! ”

Gemma Hooper- 2026-03-17

9 / 20

“ Wonderful serene space! We loved our visit and hope to stay again. ”

Petra Joyce- 2026-02-01

10 / 20

“ What a magical place. Tracey and James are the warmest hosts and have curated a special place just outside of Greytown. The night sky is spectacular from their thoughtfully crafted glamping tent, and there are great towns and hikes nearby for visitors. They also know the best places to eat – if they recommend something, take them up on it! This was a perfect way to start our first trip to NZ. ”

Sydney Kida- 2026-01-14

11 / 20

“ The most stunning and beautiful stay! Thank you, Tracey, James, and Louis Mac, for your gorgeous space to have a little birthday treat away. It was perfection! All of the finer details were incredible. Thank you again! ”

Amy Futcher- 2025-12-05

12 / 20

“ We absolutely loved our stay at The Shieling. The mineral water hot tub was divine and worked a treat on our aching bodies after doing the Kawakawa Station walk. Great hosts too. Thank you. ”

Lana Janissen- 2025-11-28

13 / 20

“ The property was immaculately presented. It looked like something out of a magazine. Tracey, the host, was absolutely lovely. Some nice small touches around the accommodation from local soap to local cooking oil benefited the makers of these products, as I bought soap and cooking oil from these businesses the next day. ”

Bernice Robertson- 2025-11-22

14 / 20

“ Beautiful surroundings, comfortable and warm, not too far from town centres, only a few minutes. ”

Sarah Jennings- 2025-11-11

15 / 20

“ The most relaxing stay. Tracey and James were amazing. The Shieling is the perfect little escape. We will definitely be back. ”

Hannah Munro- 2025-11-03

16 / 20

“ Beautiful spot, super relaxing place for a weekend away. Thank you Tracey. ”

Michelle Christie- 2025-10-04

17 / 20

“ We throughly enjoyed our Canopy Camping experience. Tracey is a wonderful host, we had a great time. ”

Ann Dean- 2025-09-22

18 / 20

“ Amazing place to stay, exactly as the photos showed. The host was lovely and friendly. The only sounds were birds and farm animals. Close enough to small towns if required. The wood fire kept the room cosy and the bed was really comfy. The hot tub was brilliant. Highly recommend a stay here. ”

Christine Molenaar- 2025-08-15

19 / 20

“ Tracey was a great host and made our stay so comfortable. Really enjoyed everything about the place. It exceeded our expectations. I didn’t want to leave. Will surely come do it again. ”

Nyasha Cynthia Makanjera- 2025-06-30

20 / 20

“ Beautiful setting in the country, the bird calls were wonderful to wake up to. Cosy fire inside and outdoors for the hot pool, we loved it. ”

Rachel Rennie- 2026-05-12

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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