Tucked between native bush and a hidden stretch of coastline somewhere in the upper South Island lies a glamping retreat so remote, so unplugged, that it doesn’t even appear on Google Maps.
There’s no official address. No road signs. No Instagram tags.
And yet, this off-grid site is fully booked for the next 12 months — with a growing waitlist of Kiwis desperate to get in.
“We didn’t want it to go viral,” says Kate, one of the owners.
“But word-of-mouth took over. It’s now our full-time job turning people away.”
No Wi-Fi. No power. And that’s exactly the point.
The glamping site — which the owners have asked not to name publicly — features just two hand-built canvas tents, nestled in native bush, overlooking a private bay.
There’s no electricity, no reception, and no plumbing.
Instead, guests are given:
- Solar lanterns
- A composting toilet
- A gas-heated outdoor shower
- Locally sourced food boxes
- And a wood burner for heat
“It’s not for everyone,” says Kate.
“But for those who come, it’s exactly what they’re looking for — total disconnection.”
How did people even find out about it?
The couple behind the project originally listed the retreat privately through a travel co-op, offering stays only to friends and repeat guests.
But photos began circulating on Reddit, Facebook groups, and even a few TikTok videos — usually without a location tag.
Within weeks, requests exploded.
“We got 300 emails in one weekend,” Kate says.
“We’d never even advertised it.”
Why people are obsessed
It’s not luxury in the traditional sense — but that’s the appeal.
Guests rave about:
- Waking up to the sound of waves
- Cooking over an open flame
- Reading for hours with no notifications
- Sleeping under stars with zero light pollution
And with rising burnout and cost-of-living pressures, more New Zealanders say “luxury” now means silence, space, and no signal.
“I didn’t even realise how addicted I was to my phone until I couldn’t check it,” says Ella, a guest from Christchurch.
“It was the best sleep I’ve had in years.”
Will it stay off the map?
For now, yes.
The hosts are firm on keeping the location unlisted, refusing to add coordinates to booking emails or share directions until payment is confirmed.
They’ve also limited bookings to NZ residents only, to keep the space intimate — and to avoid international overexposure.
“We’re not interested in scaling,” says Kate.
“This is about preserving something small, quiet, and special. If that means people wait a year — that’s okay.”
So if you’re dreaming of a night under canvas, no Wi-Fi, and total escape — this glamping hideaway exists.
Just don’t expect to find it on the map.
