Wacky Stays, Kaikoura

Wacky Stays is just outside Kaikoura on New Zealand’s South Island and has a range of cute glamping accommodation on a working farm which guests are very welcome to explore and get to know some of the animals.

You can choose from a colonial wagon, a yurt, a house truck/caravan, a tipi tent, a train carriage and a conventional, less ‘wacky’, two-bedroom farmer’s cottage.

THE ACCOMMODATION:

The Wagon: It can can sleep up to four, with two single beds and one double which can also be converted into two singles. It also has a small kitchen with a fridge, a microwave, toaster, kettle, etc. There is a small lounge area with a comfortable sofa, a widescreen TV and Blu-Ray/DVD player, air conditioning/ heater and the canvas roof is insulated with sheep’s wool.

The Yurt: The 7 meter yurt is the real thing, imported all the way from Mongolia. It sits on a raised and insulated wooden floor and the walls, if that is the right word, are insulated with thick camel hair, which makes it wonderfully cool in summer, and warm in winter. It can sleep four, with one king size bed and two single beds, and separate to the unit, its own private bathroom and shower.

The House Truck: The hand-crafted house truck  has a double bed (above the drivers cab),  a compact, well equipped kitchen, a lounge area with flat-screen TV & DVD player and traditional pot bellied stove (and electric heating too), and a toilet & separate shower.

The Teepee: The large, 7-metre wide, teepee has, like the yurt, one king size bed and two singles and it too sits on a raised and insulated wooden floor. The walls are made from poly-cotton, waterproof, canvas with a semi insulated second layer. It has a separate bathroom with a shower and toilet.

The Carriage: The carriage is a fully restored 1889 train carriage with two bedrooms; one with a double bed and the other with two bunk beds. There is a cute, compact bathroom there too with an antique toilet, sink and shower. The lounge area and kitchen are open plan and come with a TV and DVD player.

The Farmer’s Cottage: More conventional accommodation can be found in the renovated, traditional farmer’s cottage. It has two bedrooms, one double and one with two single beds. You’ll find it more spacious than any of the other accommodation choices, the lounge area has two comfortable sofas, a wood burner fireplace and a flat screen TV, and there is a well equipped kitchen and a bathroom.

As mentioned, all the accommodation, except the yurt and tipi, comes with kitchen facilities (though the friendly owners also provide a continental breakfast), and there is also a very well equipped outdoor shared kitchen plus barbecue facilities, and plenty of outdoor furniture to lounge around in too.

They have around 30 animals on the farm, including llama, sheep, pigs, ponies, alpacas and hens, all of which guests can get to meet and interact with.

THE LOCATION:

There’s plenty to explore in the surrounding area with plenty of opportunity for hiking and long country walks. The farm can organise llama tours for you too, or you are welcome to borrow the farm’s bikes. There’s a tennis court and a mini golf course about 4km away for example and there is the lively sea-side town of Kaikoura nearby too.

It is famous for its wildlife, especially sea life, in particular its sperm whale and fur seal populations, and is a thoroughly pleasant place to wander around with always a passing number of tourists and some nice cafes, bars and restaurants.

WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY:

“We stayed in the genuine Mongolian yurt, which was brilliantly spacious but incredibly cosy. The outside kitchen was great fun, and the kids absolutely adored all the animals in the farmyard -pigs were a total hit….”

“The rail carriage was beautifully renovated. My granddaughter will remember that place for the rest of her life. many thanks to Kevin and his staff….”

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