Sleep well in luxe Pukekohe haven
Out of Auckland city but just shy of the Bombays is a glamping hut that offers the chance to recharge the batteries, writes Josephine Franks.
Think of Pukekohe and you’re more likely to think of potato farming than a luxury holiday destination. But the Canvas Hut boasts the recipe for a perfect weekend escape from Auckland: close enough that you’re not a crumpled, car-weary mess by the time you arrive, far enough away for the air to be fresher and the sky clearer, with all the little touches taken care of to make you feel pampered.
The place
The Canvas Hut is in a grassy paddock overlooking Franklin’s rolling hills, with the Waikato River in the distance.
We’re 10 minutes from Pukekohe, and an hour from downtown Auckland, but our only neighbours are some friendly looking cows.
The view is so good that owners Mary Jane and Mervyn Harvey wanted to build their house on this spot, but logistics meant they had to settle closer to the road.
Mervyn tells us this as we’re cutting through the fields on the short walk from the car to the hut. When we arrive in the afternoon light, it’s clear that their loss is their guests’ gain.
The space
It’s somewhere between a cabin and a tent, but that does a disservice to the luxury inside.
A wood-burning stove occupies one corner, with a table and chairs set up so you can enjoy the view through the glass doors even when it’s not warm enough to lounge on the deck.
Two zipped doors hide a generous en suite on one side and a well-stocked kitchen on the other.
The outside bath is the perfect spot for stargazing with a glass of red wine. There’s also a fire for cooler evenings and deck chairs for enjoying the sunset.
The room
The canvas walls of the hut are flapping in an almost gale when we arrive, but once we’ve zipped everything up and have the wood burner going, it’s incredibly cosy. The queen-sized bed is just the right side of marshmallow, and every detail has been thought of, down to the USB charger set into the headboard, and the crystal decanter of port on the sideboard.
The food
A camping stove and Weber barbecue mean you can cook up a feast on the deck (there’s an ice-filled chilly bin to keep your kai cold), but we took the lazy option and nipped into town for burgers instead.
We did, however, make use of the stash of marshmallows, toasting them over the fire.
Stepping out
The Canvas Hut is the perfect self-contained escape away from the city. But if you’re eager to explore, you can stroll through the paddocks on the
Pull up a chair in front of the fire or run a bath. Either is a wonderful way to enjoy the sunset.
property or drive up Pukekohe Hill to enjoy the view.
The highlight
Waking up to peachy dawn light over the hills from one of the most comfortable sleeps I’ve had.
The lowlight
Getting up early enough to battle Monday morning traffic heading into Auckland meant that we didn’t have very long to enjoy the lie-in.
And that early in the morning, the water for showers was stubbornly cold.
The verdict
It’s the ideal place to escape for a night or two without spending hours getting there. The Canvas Hut has everything you need to switch off and relax.
The essentials
A one-night stay starts at $270 a night and can be booked through Canopy Camping.