The Ocean House is a luxurious off-grid Canopy Camping escape in Wellington and probably the most remote place I’ve ever stayed in New Zealand,
The adventure to this Canopy Camping site began with a drive along narrow rural roads, and then through Kinnoull Station where there were lock boxes attached to gates containing the remotes needed to open them. It was a windy uphill drive along a ridge at the end of the North Island along a road which eventually turns towards the ocean with views of the South Island and New Zealand’s largest wind farm.
Why the Ocean House is unique
Obviously the first thing you notice when arriving at The Ocean House is the view. The house is designed to make the most of its coastal location with floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor deck areas. Kinnoull Station spans 1.8km of coastline in an ecological reserve where the land is being reverted to native bush. In the future it will link the coast to Zealandia.
The energy efficient cabin is entirely powered by an off-grid solar system. There is mobile phone reception, and you can charge your devices via the power points but hairdryers are discouraged and there is no oven or toaster in the compact kitchen. A woodburner is the heating source.
Staying at The Ocean House
The Ocean House is isolated and self-catering so you need to bring everything you need for the duration of your stay. There is a two-burner gas cooktop for cooking as well as utensils, pots and pans. A small fridge with a freezer section, and a few pantry staples like oil, tea, coffee, sugar and salt are provided.
The bathroom is modern and clean, with a proper flusing toilet, shower, sink, and essano toiletries. Rainwater collection supplies the property with water which is filtered before it enters the house.
There’s no wifi at The Ocean House but a pack of cards and boardgames are provided for entertainment as well as a bluetooth speaker. There are also hammocks to hang outside and enjoy the views.
With its unique location above Cook Strait, The Ocean House is very exposed to wild weather. Eye masks and ear plugs were said in the notes to be provided however they didn’t appear to have been stocked up. Take your own as the wind can be noisy at night and the bedroom is not fully dark with roller blinds for privacy rather than curtains to take advantage of the spectacular views, even in the moonlight.
The house itself was smaller than it appeared on social media, and most Canopy Camping properties have an outdoor bath or hot tub. People often ask in the comments on social media posts about the Ocean House whether there is an outdoor bath and I suspect a reliance on rainwater would make one risky, but several responses from Canopy Camping have teased that one will hopefully be installed on the lower deck area eventually.
At $450 per night and with a minimum two-night stay this is a premium accommodation experience. While the views are unique it is certainly not the most cost-friendly Canopy Camping site I’ve stayed at, but it is a fabulous place for a special celebration with unforgettable views.
