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The Waitomo Woolshed

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The Waitomo Woolshed

Waitomo, Waikato


The Waitomo Woolshed is located 7 minutes from Waitomo township in the Waikato, and close to one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural attractions – the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Perched atop rolling hills, every vista from the woolshed unveils a breathtaking panorama. From expansive native bush, forestry and farmland stretching into the horizon - watch the sun changing the landscape in front of you as it moves across the sky. Keep your gaze keen, and you might even catch a glimpse of wild deer gracefully roaming the terrain.

Inside the woolshed, modern luxury harmonises seamlessly with the tranquillity of isolation. Soak up the sounds of nature with the chorus of tuis, wood pigeons and cicadas.

Venture just a short 7-minute drive to the vibrant Waitomo Village, bustling with charming cafes and restaurants, and the opportunity to embark on one of New Zealand's top-rated short walks in the Ruakuri Bush.

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

The Waitomo Woolshed is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the gas oven with a four-burner gas cooktop provided. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

A Nespresso coffee machine and coffee pods are provided for your morning brew. Your lovely hosts will have a welcoming spread set up for you upon your arrival - including fresh farm eggs, milk, homemade bread and orange juice.

If you want a break from cooking at any stage, The Tomo Bar & Eatery is an authentic Kiwi pub with appetising food and a cosy atmosphere, just an 8-minute drive away. Just a few minutes walk down the road is the HUHU Cafe which offers lunch and dinner. The General Store Cafe is a great option for coffee, lunch and any essentials.

The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is in Otorohanga, 20 minutes away.

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

Nestled in the heart of Waitomo Caves, this cosy accommodation offers both relaxation and adventure.

Enjoy board games, outdoor baths, and mesmerising stargazing. Follow the instructions in the welcome guide to find hidden glow worms - a short distance from the accommodation.

If you're looking for a unique adventure during your stay, we also offer a black water rafting trip on our farm. It's a three hour adventure, exploring the ancient Okohua Glowworm Cave and finishing in a cedar hot tub. We offer guests an exclusive discount of 15%. You can book by visiting www.thewaitomoexperience.co.nz and entering the code 'WOOLSHED' when checking out to receive your discount.

Treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the accommodation, courtesy of Tanzanite Beauty. You can choose to book a solo or couples session. For more details about this service, head to the Rates and Extras section.

Explore the Ruakuri Bush, a lovely native bush walk just a 5-minute drive away. Keep an eye out for wildlife, from birds to wild deer and goats. Other walks include The Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk, a beautiful walk through an impressive limestone gorge, 35 minutes away. There's also the Marokopa Waterfalls, with an incredible 35m high waterfall, a 40-minute drive away.

For cycling enthusiasts, embark on a scenic 24km biking loop starting from The Waitomo Woolshed, winding through gravel roads and open pathways before looping back through Waitomo Village.

Explore the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves just an 8-minute drive away. Take a guided boat ride through the grotto and watch the cave come to life. Absolutely incredible, it shows the natural cathedral and finishes with a boat ride with thousands of glowworms.

There's also Ziplining in the Waitomo Village or hiring e-bikes for a leisurely ride.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Your hosts at The Waitomo Woolshed are Livi and Ollie along with their seven dogs, two horses, chickens, a pet sheep, and a pet pig named Apricot.

Ollie was born and raised on the family farm, which has been in the Kay family for three generations now. Livi moved from Auckland to the farm and never left. They love the tranquility and peace of their farm life and the beauty of Waitomo. Beyond the lush native bush and the limestone formations, it's the hidden treasures like the glow worms that make their farm truly magical.

Ollie is a farmer, and Livi is a horse riding coach for the local Riding for Disabled.

Ollie's work resulted in the farm becoming carbon-positive certified by 33%, showcasing their commitment to eco-friendly practices and planting efforts. In 2023, the farm achieved the Farm Assurance Plus Gold standard, demonstrating its focus on environmental practices, animal welfare, and biodiversity conservation, as assessed by Silver Fern Farms.

The name 'Waitomo Woolshed' comes from the southeast view where you can see the original Woolshed on Tumu Tumu Farm. It's a beautiful, big old silver building that is still used today and holds many special family memories.

TESTIMONIALS

“ We had the best stay at The Waitomo Woolshed. Outdoor bubble baths in the rain, couples massage at the Woolshed, and the space was so clean, warm, and inviting. We will definitely be back. ”

Candice Logan- 2025-09-01

20 / 20

“ Such a lovely place! We had the most relaxing weekend. Thank you again. ”

Hannah Ford- 2026-05-22

1 / 20

“ Having stayed at other Canopy Camping escapes, this one has now moved to the top of my favourites list! The rolling hills of the Waikato create a stunning setting for an incredible place to stay. We loved the peace and quiet, the beautiful views, the facilities, the freshly baked bread, and so much more. Honestly, we loved everything about our stay. We would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to disconnect for a few days while still being close enough to explore the amazing surrounding area. ”

Warren Jordaan- 2026-04-29

2 / 20

“ Absolutely loved The Waitomo Woolshed, the location was perfect nice and peaceful and the design of everything just worked! Wish we could have stayed longer, highly recommend. ”

Brooke McKinnon- 2026-04-28

3 / 20

“ Absolutely fantastic spot. ”

Chris Walker- 2026-04-20

4 / 20

“ Stunning little spot. If you're lucky enough to have good weather, the outdoor bath is breathtaking while looking up at the stars. ”

Daniel Cherry- 2026-04-17

5 / 20

“ We had a lovely one night stay and enjoyed the view, the clear skies, the privacy, the furnishings and would recommend a longer stay to explore the area well. Nice touch to have some home produce on our arrival. We have already recommended as a secluded special getaway. Thank you. ”

Janet Hodgson- 2026-03-22

6 / 20

“ This is truly the most relaxing spot to spend a weekend. Luxurious, cosy, and makes you feel right at home. ”

Georgia Gumbrell- 2026-03-16

7 / 20

“ We stayed at The Woolshed during a two week holiday from the UK and stayed for 2 nights. This was a hectic holiday staying in motels and living out of a suitcase, so we really appreciated the peace and tranquillity of the Woolshed and left (very reluctantly!) feeling revived. The location and the facilities are stunning! ”

Melanie Wakeham- 2026-03-04

8 / 20

“ The Waitomo Woolshed... wow what a spot! Quiet, clean, well presented and the views... breathtaking! The little additions provided by the hosts such as freshly baked bread, orange juice, fresh eggs and chocolate were lovely. We will be back, we loved our stay. ”

Michelle Sole- 2026-02-24

9 / 20

“ We loved our night at The Waitomo Woolshed. The location is beautiful, the house thoughtfully designed. We loved the fire pit and it was a perfect night for stargazing. Would highly recommend. ”

Belinda Gillion- 2026-02-18

10 / 20

“ Great location, great amenities, loved the free-range eggs and homemade bread that was provided for breakfast. Thanks for a very relaxing stay. Have already recommended to friends and family. ”

Karen Halley- 2026-02-04

11 / 20

“ Amazing accommodation with spectacular views. A truly beautiful place, away from it all to relax. I can’t rate this accommodation highly enough. A real find! ”

Suzanne Woodcock- 2026-02-03

12 / 20

“ A luxurious place with incredible views. A perfect place to decompress and relax, private and providing everything required. Freshly baked bread and farm eggs were a lovely treat. ”

Waverley Brinkler- 2026-01-20

13 / 20

“ We had the most amazing stay at The Waitomo Woolshed. A beautifully presented environment and the host was lovely. Can't wait to go back. ”

Kath Woollard- 2026-01-12

14 / 20

“ We had a wonderful stay at The Waitomo Woolshed. The place was beautiful and felt like a home away from home. The extra little touches made all the difference. Highly recommend! ”

Janie Laim- 2025-11-11

15 / 20

“ Our stay at The Waitomo Woolshed was amazing from start to finish. It is the cosiest, cleanest and most amazing place. Everything is catered for, and the bread, milk, chocolate and fresh orange juice were the cherry on top. Highly recommend The Waitomo Woolshed. ”

Kirstie Salzwedel- 2025-10-29

16 / 20

“ We had such a lovely time at The Waitomo Woolshed. Every space is generous and so thoughtfully designed, with all the small details carefully considered. The setting is peaceful, and the views are stunning, making it such a relaxing place to unwind. Livi and Ollie were the perfect hosts, and you can really tell how much care has gone into creating this beautiful space. We look forward to staying again. ”

Lucy Winefield- 2025-10-21

17 / 20

“ Wow! What a beautifully crafted whare. This was a bucket list stay for us and one we will never forget. The views were breathtaking, the bed was so luxurious, and the bath was spacious and deep. Livi and Ollie have designed a woolshed stay that is truly unforgettable. ”

Marcelle Messenger- 2025-10-05

18 / 20

“ Beautiful woodshed in a lovely peaceful setting. Highly recommend. ”

Emily Broederlow- 2025-09-23

19 / 20

“ We had the best stay at The Waitomo Woolshed. Outdoor bubble baths in the rain, couples massage at the Woolshed, and the space was so clean, warm, and inviting. We will definitely be back. ”

Candice Logan- 2025-09-01

20 / 20

“ Such a lovely place! We had the most relaxing weekend. Thank you again. ”

Hannah Ford- 2026-05-22

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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