Nature’s Best

Nature’s Best
  • Written by
  • Dyani Van Basten Batenburg

Glamp the night away…

Glamping [glam-ping]

  • Noun
  • Informal. The activity of camping with some of the comforts and luxuries of home.

Tent, yurt, pod, dome or tepee escape, there’s no denying the term ‘glamping’ has firmly ensconced itself in the Kiwi way of life. New Zealand boasts over 16,000 glamping experiences on Glamping Hub – with 834 in the North Island and 828 in the South. Globally, glamping has steadily climbed the accommodation ranks since 2007 and the term ‘glamping’ was officially added to the dictionary in 2016. In 2019, Glamping Hub tallied over 34,000 glamping rentals across its international network – a steep climb in just three years from 5000 in 2016.

Whilst growing popularity for this self-proclaimed luxury nature experience is still sitting in its first decade, the origin of glamping is actually nothing new. In fact, tepee dwellings date back to 10,000BC with the Paleo-Indians, the yurt was favoured by nomadic cultures as far back as 600BC, and in the 16th century the Scottish Earl John Stewart of Atholl, put together the first luxury camping site for the visiting King James, adorning tents with luxury interiors and furnishings.

Keeping it Kiwi 

Fast forward to 21st century New Zealand, and although you won’t find yourself sleeping on a royal bed, many Kiwi glamping experiences are focused on delivering a real atone-with-nature getaway, intent on highlighting the true beauty of our landscape. And, for local glamping experts, Totally Tarawera, staying as up-close-and-personal with the outside world is what their guests are there for.

“When we set out six years ago into glamping territory, we knew we wanted to keep the experience as authentic as possible – not to pull away from the traditional tenting setup that’s synonymous with glamping,” explains David Walmsley of Totally Tarawera. “We were the first glamping accommodation in New Zealand to get a consent from DOC to conduct glamping on their land – creating our Te Rata site. And, today we have both Te Rata and Karaka, which is a secret spot tucked away off the beaten track on Maori land, and is only accessible by boat.”

Not your everyday 

Creating magic is what it’s all about, enthuses David. And, regardless of where you choose to glamp around New Zealand – be it perched overlooking the rugged West Coast Beach at Castaway Coastal Tents in Waiuku, or hidden underground hobbit-style at Waikato’s Underhill Valley, or sitting in a hot tub admiring the deer at Green Antler in Akaroa – embarking on any Kiwi glamping experience is one wrapped up in serenity and calm.

“The beauty of glamping is that you have no choice but to step back from the demands of everyday life. Relaxing, reflecting and taking in the trees, the water, the birdsong and nightfall are all must-dos,” explains David. “The added beauty of our Kanuka glamping spot is that you have to get boated in – there’s no in road – so it all remains a secret till you arrive. And, when you do, you have this completely private, secluded beach to yourselves. Many guests will walk the Tarawera trail through the bush and head to the hot pools, or fish off the canoes, but many will simply pour a glass of wine, relax and read on the beach, swim, and use the time to reconnect and reset.”

The young and the glampers

Whilst some might think this techfree type of experience would lend itself to an older generation first and foremost, it’s actually millennials more than any other group who are choosing to swap out the accessories for a weekend in isolation.

“The majority of our guests are between 20 and 30, and 80% of all guests are Kiwis,” says David. “Glamping fulfils that hankering for something a bit different and maybe a little adventurous. You can choose to participate in active relaxation – walking, canoeing, hiking, swimming – or you can simply enjoy the views. You can go at your own pace, enjoy all the modern-day comforts of a hot shower, toilet, BBQ and fire, all in the midst of nature at its best.”

And, channelling the best of the best – nature and luxe – is what a generation of NEOs (Next Economic Order) are doing best, according to Australian social scientist Ross Honeywell, as reported by Australia’s Glamxperience.

Touted as socially progressive, high spending and highly flexible with choice, NEO’s are as committed to learning a living as they are to earning a living. Spending less on traditional purchases and more on emotional experiences. Which is why glamping ticks all the boxes for this younger crew – an opportunity to holiday at places that enrich the spirit. As Honeywell says, “They want beauty, design, quality, rich information, authenticity, flexibility, provenance and choice.” And, glamping can bring it all together.

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