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Your private rainforest escape — the ultimate off-grid luxury getaway.
Te Aka is a boutique, eco-luxury retreat on the South Island of New Zealand. Nestled in mature native forest and designed with conscious simplicity and a touch of indulgence, it’s a place to slow down, reconnect, and breathe deeply.
Total privacy, shared with no one.
Every booking includes exclusive access to both architecturally designed treehouses, allowing couples, families, or small groups to spread out across the property. Your hosts, Lisa and Dave, are close by if needed — but you'll feel like you have the forest entirely to yourself.
Perched above Nelson Creek in native West Coast rainforest, Te Aka Treehouse offers breathtaking views across the canopy toward the rugged Paparoa Range and Paparoa National Park. Just a short drive from renowned Great Walks, including the 55 km Paparoa Track, it’s the perfect base for slow travel, remote adventure, and restoration.Easily reached via a scenic gravel driveway, this boutique, off‑grid hideaway feels miles from ordinary — yet sits within convenient reach of Greymouth (35 min), Punakaiki, Reefton, and Westport.
Getting here:
Turn off Nelson Creek Road onto Gows Creek Road and drive 1.89 km through ancient bush until you spot the Te Aka Treehouse sign. Follow the pathway another 300 m to your private carpark.
Full arrival instructions will be provided upon booking.
Te Aka is set on a 23-hectare private property, blending virgin podocarp forest with regenerating native bush. Nestled in a north-facing pocket of temperate rainforest, the treehouses sit among towering mātai, rimu, and Southern rātā — a rare and sacred mix of Aotearoa’s ancient species.
This land holds more than beauty — it holds story. Once part of the gold-mining settlement of Nelson Creek, the property is steeped in the layered history of Pākehā pioneers and Māori pathways, where relics of the past meet the resurgence of the forest. Walking here is an encounter with both heritage and healing.
Elevated in the canopy, you’ll wake to birdsong, morning mist, and filtered light, with views that make you feel held by something timeless.
Take a guided walk through ancestral trails and limestone caves, soak in pure rainwater after a forest massage, or simply sit still and listen to the hum of life around you. Every moment here invites reconnection — with nature, your breath, and the deeper rhythm of life itself.
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Where nature sets the pace, and comfort meets intention.
Our modern treehouses are thoughtfully woven into the forest — a seamless fusion of seclusion and soft luxury. Instant gas hot water, a plush bed, and the ambient warmth of wood and light offer everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
Here, you’re invited to slow down, to notice more, and to experience the rhythm of life beyond the clock. This is slow travel on New Zealand’s West Coast — where you can linger, exhale, and feel the wild around you begin to settle something within.
Te Aka isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a practice in presence.
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Fall asleep to the sound of rain on the roof or stars overhead, visible through the skylight above your bed. Wake slowly to soft morning light and the distant call of birdsong — no alarms, just the quiet return to your natural circadian rhythm.
The sleep treehouse offers full blackout drapes for those who need a little more darkness, and total stillness for light sleepers. Whether you’re a sunrise riser or a deep sleeper, the forest moves at your pace.
Our 23-hectare native forest retreat borders conservation land, offering guided walks through ancient podocarp forest and into stories of the past. Discover relics of Aotearoa’s gold mining era — from pickaxe-carved tunnels to hidden totems of a bygone time. Early risers are rewarded with birdsong symphonies and misty morning light, best experienced on our private tracks or on your own private treehouse deck.
Cook with ease in your full kitchen stocked with essentials — or harvest from the Te Aka Garden on the property. Choose from locally sourced ingredients: wild venison, salmon, halloumi, lamb, or tofu. No need to pack the pantry; everything you need to create a slow, nourishing meal is here.
Wake to the sounds of tūī, bellbirds, and the rustling of kererū overhead. Our forest canopy is home to an array of native birds, including tomtits, fantails, ruru (native owl), and the cheeky, rare kākā — known for gathering in playful 'gaggles'. Bring your binoculars or simply pause and listen.
Prefer a night off cooking? Nelson Creek’s iconic Kiwi pub is just two minutes away by car — or a scenic 35-minute walk via Colls Dam and the swing bridge. Grab a hearty meal, enjoy local banter, and experience South Island hospitality at its finest.
As quoted by Gruff Seeds – ‘What a fantastic little pub just across the road from a brilliant little camp site. The welcome from the Land Lord and locals alike was the epitome of South Island hospitality – warm, friendly and unassuming. If you want a break from the world and just want quality time with the family this is the perfect place’.
Explore our guided trails or set off solo through lush rainforest to nearby walks like Callaghans Track, Tailrace Walk, and Colls Dam. Venture further afield to the Paparoa Track Great Walk or the West Coast Wilderness Trail — both just a 40-minute drive from Te Aka. From forest bathing to backcountry hiking, adventure awaits.
Get cosy by the fire, leaf through our handpicked books on New Zealand flora and fauna, or dive into a puzzle while the forest hums outside. Whether you're an armchair naturalist or just seeking a moment of stillness, there’s magic in the quiet here.
Run a deep bath and soak in rainwater while the forest breathes around you. Prefer a refreshing dip? Our natural plunge pool is fed by a spring & the creek and surrounded by fern-lined banks. You can also explore the nearby Nelson Creek swimming hole — a beloved local gem.
At night, look up: Te Aka is listed in the NZ Astronomy Directory and boasts a near-pristine Bortle 1 sky. Gaze at the Milky Way through the skylight or from the deck, then wander through the forest to spot glow worms sparkling in hidden corners. Nature’s light show awaits.
Glow worms are in lots of different places on the property. If you are particularly interested we can arrange for you to see them.
Our stay here was really one of a kind. The accommodation was not only cozy and comfortable but the design and feel was unmatched. The hosts took us on a tour of the property and it was absolutely incredible. Their daughter was so impressive with her knowledge of all the trees, plants and wildlife in the area. The fresh baked goods were fantastic and the option to order dinner ingredients was amazing. We cooked all our meals here and couldn’t have asked for more. Please stay here, you will not want to leave!
Staying ‘up in the trees’ at the Te Aka Treehouse was a surreal experience. A combination of peace and serenity was complemented by beautiful light, including moonlight, along with melodious bird song. Staying at Te Aka was blissful. The comfort of the space with its crackling good fire and skylight views along with a deck that literally places you as close as you can get to the mature tree trunks as they rise to the canopy is unforgettable. If you want to feel like you are at one in your own forest world this is the place.
A delicious retreat to catch my breath is this busy world.
We had a fantastic time exploring caves and old goldmines, while the kids loved the big cave. I enjoyed a relaxing bath with a cuppa tea and a good book. Cooking our freshly picked vegetables with wild venison, then dining on the deck surrounded by native bush was a highlight. Lisa and Dave, along with their children, are incredibly accommodating, making our stay easy and memorable.
What a wonderful relaxing atmosphere that comes with staying at the Te Aka Treehouse. A great place to unwind relax and recharge your mind and body with birdsong and scenery to help. Or there’s heaps of activities should you choose to be a little or a lot on the property and sites and activities not far drive away, if you are able to take yourself out of serenity. Definitely be back.
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