Secret squirrel lair
Somewhere in Waikato is a little grotto that’s the stuff of grown-up fairy tales - and, shhh, you can stay there.
There is a little hideaway in New Zealand so special, the family held it a closely guarded secret for years. At first glance, it may look like the famed Hobbiton movie set. But this hideout is so much more.
It’s a fairy tale adults-only grotto, that’s a little like a tiny candle-lit underground medieval castle.
It’s all so atmospheric, you could be back in the Middle Ages, although there are plenty of little luxurious twists to gently remind you that you’re still in the 21st century – but only just.
Underhill is tucked away down a little farm road, among lush sprawling farmland deep in Waikato. Its exact location is a secret – for all but those who choose to stay.
As our little farm jeep comes to a stop, it feels like we’ve arrived on a movie set.
An idyllic pond is the centrepiece, framed by a huge willow which hangs lazily over an enchanting wooden bridge.
But the sign that we’ve arrived somewhere really special is a little chimney which pokes out of a small mound overlooking the pond.
As we approach closer, we see elaborate wooden doors that will later reveal one of the most spectacular rooms in New Zealand.
You would be forgiven for comparing Underhill to the Lord of the Rings movie set Hobbiton, but that would almost be doing this little hideaway a disservice.
The grotto is owned by Jessie and Craig Moo. It was first dreamed up by Jessie’s father Graham in the 1970s, after being inspired by rustic cave dwellings he saw while travelling the Middle East.
The family put years of work into creating Underhill, which was finished around 2001.
Since then it’s mostly been used as an escape for family and friends; only in recent years have guests been able to see what’s behind its doors.
Inside is the most magical room I’ve ever come across.
The cave is made of elaborate stonework, native timbers, and handcrafted iron fittings.
To add to the drama and romance, candles line the sides of the cave – and a huge wax-coated candelabra sits as the centrepiece of the room.
On one side is a coal range, the far corner has a medieval-styled kitchen and on the right is a hexagon-shaped bed built into the side of the cave.
The attention to detail is astounding; it’s easy to see why it took years to build and even longer to plan.
Outside on the neighbouring mound, we find another candlelit bathroom cave, carved out with similar painstaking attention to detail.
Atop another mound is an outdoor bath.
While Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and Raglan are all within 40 minutes, that’ll have to wait. Afterall, who wants to leave a fairy tale?
More information:
A night at Underhill starts at $345. See: canopycamping.co.nz/underhill
The author was a guest of Canopy Camping and Underhill.
❚ Last year Brook Sabin and his partner Radha Engling quit their jobs and sold everything to travel. Each week Kiwis in Flight takes you on their adventures. See