In the ten years that we have spent living in New Zealand, my family and I have never been glamping.
Not once.
Let’s face it. It’s not the sort of thing you want to do with two kids, is it?
But.
With the kids now old enough to make their own beans on toast, Brian and I decided that it was time to check out what this New Zealand glamping craze was all about.
Get us a little bit of hippy outdoorsy fun.
And while we were there – glamping in New Zealand – we made a podcast episode for you. And wrote a post.
After all; what else would a husband and wife do when they find themselves alone without their kids for the first time in nineteen years??
Come on. You know you wanna…
Glamping in New Zealand
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Admiring the view from the day bed.
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places on earth and raising my kids in New Zealand was the best decision we ever made.
I am guessing that if you are also are thinking of making a permanent move to New Zealand (or perhaps planning a future trip down under) then you also love the outdoors.
You are the outdoorsy type.
But.
Hang on. I’m going to take a stab in the dark here…
I’m also thinking that you like a bit of luxury?
Yes?
I’m thinking that you may have reached an age where your husbands back could play up if he has to sleep on the floor, and you would prefer not to hang your hand-washed knickers out on the communal rotary clothesline at the back of the toilet block for all and sundry to gawk at.
If I am right, then try New Zealand glamping.
It will be perfect for you.
See that hammock? It’s got my name on it…
Camping in New Zealand
First off, let’s look at one of the major lifestyle activities in New Zealand.
Camping. Everyone’s at it down under. That and rugby.
There are two types of camping in New Zealand.
No, hang on. That’s wrong. There are three. Here they are:
1: 🏔 Hardcore Camping
Hardcore camping where you pack a bag and stay in a hut.
Let’s say you make a trip to the beautiful region of Taranaki (do it! I live there and it’s gorgeous) and climb around the mountain for days on end.
You only stop to eat a bit of your dried fig soup and you sleep in your brown hessian sack in one of the DOC mountain huts.
The ones with rock hard beds and corrugated roofs.
This type of camping is totally hardcore. Hardcore is a popular New Zealand slang word meaning that you’re one tough cookie.
Well ‘ard.
You would never, ever complain of the cold because you are the child of a mountain goat and anyway – you’ve done your homework and you know ahead of time the best time to visit New Zealand.
2: 🏕 Family Camping
Because we homeschooled out kids we were always able to take our family camping holiday in the less busy times. Here we had the campsite to ourselves!
We raised our two kids in New Zealand and one of the highlights of their childhood was the yearly camping trip to Blue Lake in Rotorua.
Blue Lake is fabulous. I’d go as far as to say it is one of the most unique travel destinations in the world. I won’t go on about it in this post but if you do come to New Zealand make sure that you go there.
Family camping in New Zealand means tents and toilet blocks. Inflatable bouncy cushions, trampolines, BBQ’s and showers with six-minute timers.
3: 🌠 Glamping
Glamping in New Zealand. Our homes for the next 5 days.
Glamping, on the other hand, is about as far away from family camping as it gets.
Glamping is glamourous camping.
Yes sir.
The Google dictionary states that “glamping is likely to satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life’s luxuries”.
Well.
I wouldn’t call myself a city slicker but let’s run with that term for the sake of argument. Nobody needs to know that in real life I am moaning Minnie reluctant sheep owner who lives under a volcano.
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Glamping in The Coromandel, New Zealand
The Coromandel in New Zealand. What better place than here to go glamping?
The Coromandel is famous for its pristine white sand beaches, misty forests and super laid-back atmosphere. It is one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations and after having spent a week there I can understand why.
Our glamping experience took place in a converted bus in the middle of the Coromandel National Park.
The Coromandel, NZ
We booked five days away in the beautiful converted gipsy bus in July – just in time for my husband’s birthday.
Yes, he complained that it was the middle of winter and bloody freezing and that he wasn’t too keen on taking an outdoor shower.
But I chose to ignore him.
A birthday surprise is a birthday surprise.
I told him to say thank you and advised him to move on. Or else he could return home to the teenagers and the beans.
The bathroom of our glamping experience. Yes. That’s a composting toilet.
The Cost of Glamping in New Zealand
The cost to live in New Zealand is nowhere near as high as most people make it out to be. You just need to know where to shop and what websites to use for holidays.
And get a liking for beans.
We booked our Gypsybus through Airbnb.
If you are new to this international website then use this code when you sign up (you’ll get $25 USD /45NZD off your first booking).
If you would like to see the Gypsy Bus listing on Airbnb then click this link!
Beautiful isn’t it? And not a bean to be seen.
How much would you expect to pay to Glamp in New Zealand?
There are many options when glamping in New Zealand, from staying in a tiny house to stretching out in a yurt.
We chose to stay in a converted bus that was wonderfully cosy and beautifully furnished.
The cost for two people was $100 NZD per night. That’s $65 USD and £52.
This price included all taxes and cleaning.
If you wanted to pay less you could opt for the cute little caravan option that was situated up the hill from where we were.
The caravan is gorgeous – dressed with the same artistic flair as the bus and it has its very own day bed right outside overlooking the most glorious view. Whichever you choose I know that you’ll love it.
It’s impossible not to.
Our wonderful ‘Gypsy Bus’ was warm and cosy.
The price included full use of a kitchen which (although was open to some elements) was such a cool place to hang out!
Do You LOVE New Zealand & dream of moving here one day? Sign up below and I will send you my FREE Moving to and Living in New Zealand Guide. A 5 Part Video Series!
Glamping in New Zealand Travel Podcast
Making you a podcast episode. What else would a husband and wife do together when glamping?
(What happens on this New Zealand podcast stays on this New Zealand podcast)
In this week’s podcast episode – (brought to you from the inside of a converted bus in the middle of the Coromandel National Park) Brian and I talked about:
🤔 What a typical New Zealand glamping experience looks like.
🤔 The highlights of booking a glamping experience.
🤔 And maybe (if you are like me) the low bits.
🤔 What nobody told us about glamping and why (with hindsight) they forgot to mention it.
🤔 A New Zealand ‘bush bath’. Why it’s divine and why you will love it!
How amazing is this bush bath? Just light the fire, fill with spring water and relax…Bliss!
To find out why you should very much try a glamping experience in New Zealand listen to our podcast now!
Now, Listen to the podcast episode! Glamping in New Zealand (& what to expect!)
Next, you could read…
Wine o’clock with Liz & Brian (Podcast about why couples need time alone. I mean alone alone.)
Growing up in New Zealand. Will your kids love it or hate it?
New Zealand living. A few things you might want to consider.
Building a tiny house in New Zealand
Cost to live in New Zealand. Will I be flush or broke?
Right Now Page (check out what we are doing right now!)
Did You Enjoy Our Podcast On Glamping in New Zealand?
Ok. A favour before you click off and leave me forever down under…
✔︎ We’d love to know what you think about this week’s show and if there is anything you would like to know further so that we can include it in our next podcast.
✔︎ Thank you for your support and don’t forget— If you enjoy our podcasts then you can subscribe to us on iTunes or Spotify (that way you will never miss an episode!)
✔︎ If you know of someone who is thinking of moving or visiting New Zealand, then please, share this podcast with them!
Liz & Brian x
Really enjoyable podcast Lizzie and Brian. It sounds like a great place.xx
Thanks Lesley! I think you went to the Coromandel when you came over? It is such a beautiful part of New Zealand XX