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.

Tree House, Tin Box, or Hideaway — which Wild Forest Estate unit suits you?

The short answer: All three sleep two and feature an outdoor bath. Hideaway is the comfortable choice (historic cottage, attached to the main house, streamside). Tin Box is the most immersive (fully off-grid converted shipping container, above the canopy, signature stargazing bath). Tree House is the most magical (built from recycled Kauri, three decks, in the forest canopy).

Side-by-side

	Hideaway Cottage	Tin Box	Tree House
Sleeps	2	2	2
Off-grid?	Attached to main house	Fully off-grid	Off-grid
Setting	Streamside, ground level	Above the canopy	In the canopy
Style	Historic 1910 Kauri cottage	Converted shipping container	Recycled-Kauri tree house
Outdoor bath	Yes	Yes (canopy stargazing)	Yes
Indoor hob	Benchtop electric	—	—
Outdoor kitchen	Covered BBQ area	Undercover, 4-burner gas hob	Undercover, 4-burner gas hob
Fridge / cooler	Mini fridge	Chilli bin	Chilli bin
Hammock	Yes	—	—
Wifi at main house	Yes (close)	Yes (further)	Yes (further)
Best for	Comfort + romance	Immersion + stargazing	Magic + canopy
Book direct	Hideaway	Tin Box	Tree House

Pick by use case

Choose Hideaway Cottage if you want…

The most comfortable space, with a benchtop hob and mini fridge
A streamside setting at ground level
A hammock and a large covered outdoor BBQ area
Slightly easier access (still a forest property — but closer to the main house)
A longer stay, where a self-contained kitchen matters

Choose Tin Box if you want…

Full off-grid immersion
The single best outdoor bath for stargazing on the property — built above the canopy
A converted shipping container aesthetic
Deep solitude, including from the other Wild Forest Estate guests
A signature experience that makes for unforgettable photos

Choose Tree House if you want…

The magical option — recycled Kauri, three decks, in-canopy views
A romantic occasion (proposal, anniversary, milestone)
An outdoor kitchen with a 4-burner gas hob and Weber BBQ
"Like a magic carpet ride in the canopy of the forest" — the hosts' own description, and accurate

Things that are true of all three

Outdoor bath
Welcome provisions: coffee, tea, salt, pepper, olive oil, popcorn kernels, fresh drinking water
Privacy from the other guests
3 km from Trounson Kauri Park (kiwi sanctuary)
Red-light torch on loan from Joanna for night walks at Trounson
Dark-sky location — Milky Way from the bath on clear nights
No mobile signal to speak of. Wifi at the main house.

How pricing works

Wild Forest Estate uses dynamic pricing (Beyond Pricing) for standard nightly stays — rates change daily by season and demand. Always check the live booking pages for current prices.

Solo Retreat and Romantic Retreat packages are fixed prices for 3-night minimums (NZD $450 / $550 / $650 depending on season).

→ Compare all three on the accommodations page or book any of them direct.