Quirky glamping business and lodge
One of New Zealand’s quirkiest “glamping” operations, featuring a Mongolian yurt-style tent and a fully renovated shipping container with outdoor baths under the stars, is now for sale.
Birdsnest holiday home in Northland is a commercial accommodation venue set on 13.88ha of bush-clad rolling countryside at Donnellys Crossing, just north of Dargaville.
The freehold land, buildings and Birdsnest accommodation business — at 990 Trounson Park Rd, are being marketed for sale at auction on March 29, through Bayleys Dargaville.
Salesperson Catherine Stewart says in addition to the commercial accommodation options, the property also came with a three-bedroom owner/manager’s home.
The business features standard B&B style accommodation of two bedrooms serviced by their own bathroom, kitchenette and lounge area as part of what was once a colonial farm homestead.
However, Birdsnest’s points of difference are eco-themed accommodation and guest amenities nestled amidst stands of native bush.
The first of Birdsnest’s left-field glamping facilities is a lotus bell shaped tent with an adjacent bathroom housed in a rustic wooden framed garden shed, and across the decking from a separate outdoor kitchen.
The second eclectic accommodation option is a converted shipping container — also with an outdoor bath and rustic outdoor kitchen and dining area, on a wooden decked platform with countryside views.
Both of Birdsnest’s eco-stay options are powered by a combination of solar panels or gas, with chilly bins provided to keep guests’ food and beverage supplies chilled for the duration of their stay. In keeping with Birdsnest’s minimal environmental impact’ philosophy, water for all guest amenities is sourced from a dammed stream on the property before being filtered and treated.
Nightly rack rates at Birdsnest range from $120 for the nine-squaremetre shipping container, through to $150 for the tent or a room in the homestead lodge.
The homestead was built of locally-milled kauri around 1900 and was further extended in the 1980s in a replica style.
Stewart says Birdsnest has been successfully operating for three years and is poised to significantly grow into a new era with additional investment from a new owner/operator.