With international travel currently being a thing of the past, the search for a unique New Zealand getaway brought me to the cozy pods of Te Wepu, based in French Farm of the Banks Peninsula. Having never experienced a glamping-style holiday before, this was the perfect introduction to camping with a bit of luxury, with the emphasis on luxury!
Te Wepu Intrepid Pod Retreats are a group of three, double pod sites, perched on working farmland that is owned and operated by the Bocock family. Each site hosts a sleeping pod (queen sized bed), utility (Bioloo) pod, wood fired hot tub, and camping facilities, including a gas barbecue, chilly bin, and all the crockery and cooking vessels you may need.
We were welcomed by Richie, Kate and their two daughters, who live at the bottom of the property, and were swiftly driven up to the pods, along with some delicious hampers filled with local produce and a great smelling cob loaf. We also met Louis, the family’s dog who has the sweetest personality, and then shown the facilities and how to operate the hot tub. The pods can also be accessed by a 20 minute walking trail through the bush, a little steep in places, but managed by all including our 34 week pregnant friend!
This was the perfect getaway for our group of six friends, as we were able to fire up the barbecue together and catch up over some drinks and good conversation. Our visit during springtime meant that the weather was very variable, ranging from a misty and drizzly afternoon, to a perfectly still and quiet evening/sunrise overlooking the peninsula. On the morning of our departure however, the gale force winds and bucketing rain gave the experience a tad of excitement/apprehension, and we were relieved not to have been visiting during the wild weather event that hit the region in 2016. Richie regaled us with the tale of the guests who had to be evacuated from the pods, only to have the water level up to their knees in the 4×4 as they made it down the hill!
Te Wepu is located approximately a 1-1.5 hour drive from Christchurch, and 20 minutes from Akaroa. Some notable mentions on the drive include Gebbies Garden Cafe (WIFI available), the small town of Little River, and the Akaroa Harbour View on Summit Road in Duvauchelle (near Hilltop Tavern). We also enjoyed a visit the The Giant’s House in Akaroa, followed by fish and chips at Murphy’s On The Corner, yum!
What To Pack
Richie and Kate have really thought of everything, from the solar powered lighting and phone charging, homemade seed crackers and breakfast provisions, and chilly bin freebies/surprises like farm fresh eggs, local honey and cheese, milk, and panini bread. As there is a lot of down time to be had, bring a book or pre-download a show/movie for a cozy cabin night in (no WIFI is available at the sites, but there is good reception). You can also bring a head torch for the evenings, and plenty of bevvies 🙂 I would also recommend packing a pair of hiking boots or sturdy, non-white walking shoes if you choose to leave the pods during the day and hike down to your car as it can be a little wet or slippery in the long grass after a bit of rain. As our group booked out all three pod sites, with permission from Richie and Kate, I was allowed to fly the drone and capture some amazing footage of Te Wepu. Check it out in the video below!
Highlights Of The Trip
The hot tub for sure! Having come from a week-long hiking holiday, nothing sounded better than a hot soak whenever we wanted, especially under a blanket of stars. The water was nice and hot for when we arrived, and the tubs are cleaned and emptied after each guest. The Dinner Hamper could easily feed two people over two meals, unless you have a huge appetite. We mistakenly got three hampers between the six of us and it was way too much food! Lastly, the birdsong around the pods is insane. You will definitely be woken up by them, and hear the odd moo from the cows down on the paddocks, but hey, that’s when you know you’re truly surrounded by the gift of the outdoors 🙂
Your photos are amazing and inspiring. This is definitely a must on my bucket list. Thank you for sharing.