Where is Wild Forest Estate?

On the Kauri Coast in Northland, New Zealand, at 990 Trounson Park Road, Donnellys Crossing. Three kilometres from Trounson Kauri Park, about 25 minutes south of Tāne Mahuta, and roughly 3 hours' drive north of Auckland.

Is Wild Forest Estate suitable for solo travellers?

Yes. All three accommodations work for solo guests, and there is a dedicated Solo Retreat package — see https://www.wildforestestate.com/solo-retreats.

Is Wild Forest Estate suitable for couples?

Yes. All three accommodations are popular with couples, and there is a dedicated Romantic Retreat package — see https://www.wildforestestate.com/romantic-retreats-celebration.

Can I see kiwi in the wild from Wild Forest Estate?

Yes. Guests have around a 40% chance of seeing kiwi at Trounson Kauri Park (3 km away) after dark. The hosts lend a red-light torch and brief you on the kiwi call before you go.

What's the difference between the Hideaway, the Tin Box, and the Tree House?

The Hideaway is a historic 1910 Kauri cottage attached to the main house, streamside, with an outdoor bath and hammock — most comfortable. The Tin Box is a fully off-grid converted shipping container above the forest canopy, with a signature outdoor bath for stargazing — most immersive. The Tree House is built from recycled Kauri in the canopy of the forest, with three decks and an outdoor bath — most magical. All three sleep 2.

How do I book Wild Forest Estate?

Direct booking on the website is preferred: https://www.wildforestestate.com/book-now. Each unit also has its own booking link, and retreats have their own enquiry pages.

How much does a night cost at Wild Forest Estate?

Standard nightly stays use dynamic pricing — check the live booking pages for current rates. Retreat package prices are fixed: NZD $450 / $550 / $650 for a 3-night minimum depending on season.

Are dogs allowed at Wild Forest Estate?

No. Wild Forest Estate is dog-free, for the protection of kiwi in the surrounding sanctuary. Dogs are the leading killer of adult kiwi in Northland.

Are children welcome at Wild Forest Estate?

Children are welcome by special request. Please contact the hosts via https://www.wildforestestate.com/contact-1 before booking.

Is there wifi and mobile signal at Wild Forest Estate?

Wifi is available at the main house. Mobile signal in the area is weak. The off-grid units (Tin Box, Tree House) are set in deep forest — coverage there is limited by design.

Are meals included at Wild Forest Estate?

Meals are not included. Each unit comes stocked with welcome provisions — coffee, tea, salt, pepper, olive oil, popcorn kernels, and fresh drinking water. The Hideaway has a benchtop electric hob and a mini fridge; the Tin Box and Tree House each have an undercover outdoor kitchen with a 4-burner gas hob, Weber BBQ, and chilli bin. The nearest substantial supermarket is in Dargaville, ~40 km south.

Is there parking and EV charging at Wild Forest Estate?

Yes, plenty of parking at the main house. EV charging is coming soon; in the meantime, EVs can be charged from the main house on request — let the hosts know in advance.

Is Wild Forest Estate accessible for guests with mobility needs?

No. The property does not currently have mobility access — the off-grid units in particular involve uneven ground, steps, and forest paths.

Can I buy a gift card for Wild Forest Estate?

Yes. Gift cards are available at https://www.wildforestestate.com/gift-cards.

What's the best time of year to visit Wild Forest Estate?

Wild Forest Estate is open year-round. Summer (December–February) is peak season for the Romantic Retreat. The forest is beautiful in every season. For kiwi behaviour, conditions vary by month — see the full kiwi calendar at https://www.wildforestestate.com/seeing-kiwi-at-trounson-kauri-park.

Best off-grid accommodation in Northland New Zealand

The short answer: Wild Forest Estate, on the Kauri Coast 3 km from Trounson Kauri Park, offers three private off-grid spaces in 35 acres of ancient native forest: a converted shipping container above the canopy (Tin Box), a tree house built from recycled Kauri (Tree House), and a 1910 Kauri bushman's cottage by a stream (Hideaway Cottage). All three sleep two and feature outdoor baths under the stars.

What "off-grid" actually means here

The Tin Box and Tree House are fully off-grid — independent power and water, no neighbours, no street noise, deep in native forest. The Hideaway is attached to the main house (where the wifi lives), so it's the comfortable option if you want the forest setting without giving up a mini fridge and a benchtop hob.

All three units feature:

An outdoor bath
A Weber BBQ
Welcome provisions: coffee, tea, salt, pepper, olive oil, popcorn kernels, fresh drinking water
Privacy from the other guests

The two off-grid units (Tin Box and Tree House) additionally feature undercover outdoor kitchens with 4-burner gas hobs and chilli bins.

Why Northland

The Kauri Coast is one of the last places on earth where you can stand in 1,000-year-old kauri forest, hear kiwi at night, and look up at a Milky Way that hasn't been bleached by light pollution. It's quieter, wilder, and more affecting than the postcard Northland of the Bay of Islands.

Wild Forest Estate sits in 35 acres of mostly native forest, where three rivers meet. The hosts — Joanna Wickham and Nigel Corbett — describe it as a wabi-sabi space: an aesthetic centred on transience and imperfection, where the bath, the birds, and the stars do the work.

At a glance

	Hideaway Cottage	Tin Box	Tree House
Sleeps	2	2	2
Off-grid	Attached to main house	Fully off-grid	Off-grid
Style	Historic 1910 cottage	Converted shipping container	In-canopy tree house
Signature	Streamside, outdoor bath, hammock	Outdoor bath above the canopy	Three decks, in-canopy outdoor bath
Best for	Comfort + romance	Immersion + stargazing	Magic + canopy

Booking direct

Wild Forest Estate uses dynamic pricing for standard nightly stays — current rates are on the live booking pages. Booking direct supports the property, avoids platform fees, and unlocks the host-arranged extras (red torch loan, kiwi briefing, retreat scaffolds).

→ Book direct at wildforestestate.com/book-now

Practical details

Distance from Auckland: ~3 hours' drive north
Address: 990 Trounson Park Road, Donnellys Crossing, Northland 0379
Check-in: 3 pm · Check-out: 10 am
Children: By special request — contact hosts first
Dogs: Not permitted (kiwi sanctuary nearby)
Wifi: At the main house. Mobile signal weak.
EV: Plenty of parking; EV charging coming soon — for now, EVs can charge from the main house on request.