Secluded Waikato Getaway Carved out of the Hills

“Long before Peter Jackson re-created Middle-earth in the fertile hills of New Zealand’s Waikato region, Graham Hannah and his young daughter Jessie had a dream,” Rob McFarland writes for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“They would sit in a valley at the bottom of their six-hectare property and talk about building a secret Hobbit-esque den. Fifteen years ago that dream became reality when Graham excavated a cave. With the help of friends he shored it up with hefty wooden beams, installed a kitchen and a bed, and christened it Underhill.

“Until recently the family used it exclusively for parties and celebrations. Jessie and her husband Craig had their wedding reception in it. Jessie’s sister got married there. Then, in July last year, they started renting it out. ‘We just wanted to share it with people,’ Jessie says.

“Guests are only given an address once they’ve booked … Located in a secluded dip near the boundary of the property, it’s carved out of a steep hillside and camouflaged by a grass roof. The only prying eyes are the cows in the field next door.

“Bookings for Underhill are managed by Canopy Camping Escapes, a company that has partnered with private landowners across New Zealand to offer unique ‘glamping’ experiences.”

Original article by Rob McFarland, The Sydney Morning Herald, May 17, 2014.