Welcome to
Te Aka Treehouse.
A place to settle into the forest, with everything you need for a thoughtful stay close at hand.
Make yourself
at home in the trees.
Welcome to your forest retreat. We’ve gathered the practical details for your arrival, time in the treehouse and safe exploration, so you can spend more time enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Find your way
amongst the trees.
Six thoughtfully arranged notes for your stay, from finding the driveway to exploring the forest safely.
Explore beautifully.
Explore safely.
The land around Te Aka contains old mine workings, including open shafts and possible hidden hazards. Please stay in permitted areas and explore other tracks only with your guide.
A little more
amongst the trees.
A glimpse of the places and moments that make this retreat so memorable.
Care for the forest
that welcomes you.
Te Aka is off grid, sustained by rainwater and solar power. A thoughtful stay helps protect this remarkable place.
The practical
little things.
Network name to be confirmed with Lisa and Dave.
Arriving
189 Gows Creek Road, Nelson Creek, West Coast 7872. Please take care not to navigate to Gows Road in Ross settlement.
The treehouses are unlocked for your arrival.
Get in touch
Lisa North 0204 121 5822
Dave 0204 1000 100
stay@te-akatreehouse.co.nz
The path
to Te Aka.
The last stretch is part of the adventure. Follow these directions carefully.
Nelson Creek, West Coast, New Zealand 7872. Do not navigate to Gows Road at Ross settlement.
Open in maps ↗Arriving from Nelson Creek
- From Nelson Creek Road, turn left onto Gows Creek Road.
- Follow the gravel road for 1.89 km.
- At the Te Aka Treehouse sign, take the steep driveway. Use low gear in a two-wheel-drive vehicle.
- Look for the treehouse sign and path. The treehouse is to the left at the carpark.
- If you have driven past, do not continue downhill.
The treehouses are unlocked and ready for your arrival.
FIELD NOTE 01 · THE TREEHOUSEMake yourself
at home.
A contemporary off-grid retreat with modern comforts and a beautiful reason to disconnect.
Your spaces
The main treehouse (71 m²) has a well-equipped kitchen, a bathroom and a king-sized bed. The separate sleep treehouse (27 m²) has a queen bed and a single loft bed.
Stay connected, or not
Te Aka has Starlink internet and a smart TV. The Wi-Fi password is nelsoncreek.
Living lightly
Te Aka runs off grid. Please conserve rainwater and solar power, and keep chemicals out of drains because the septic system uses a worm farm.
Food, warm clothing, toiletries, insect repellent, sunscreen, any medications and swimwear for the sauna. Greymouth supermarkets are approximately 35 minutes away. Dinner meal kits may be arranged with at least 24 hours' notice.
Paths with
a story.
Forest discovery is part of the magic here, and understanding where to go is essential.
Boardwalk & viewing platform
You are welcome to enjoy the signed boardwalk and viewing platform independently, by day or night. Walk up the road and find the sign and track to the right. Near the end is the viewing platform, a beautiful place for sunsets and stars.
Guided forest exploration
Lisa and Dave recommend the complimentary guided tour. The terrain is rugged and steep, so wear sturdy walking shoes and suitable clothing. Shorter tours and alternatives for different fitness levels may be possible.
Read the risk disclosure carefully. You will be asked to sign it before a guided tour.
Open mine shafts, unknown holes, tunnels, steep drops and cliffs may be present. Stay on the immediate grounds around the treehouse except for the permitted boardwalk or areas accessed with a guide. Never enter other forest tracks alone.
A moment
to unwind.
The sauna and natural cold pool sit amongst the forest at Golden Gully.
Make time to slow down
Ask Lisa or Dave about the sauna experience. The serviced sauna option requires at least three hours' notice and carries an additional charge. Rates are not provided in the guest information and should be confirmed directly.
As this is a historic mining area, do not use this illustration to find Golden Gully or explore unsignposted tracks. Ask your hosts how and when to access this experience safely.
When the
forest quietens.
Wrap up warm, look out across the canopy and take in a slower evening.
The signed boardwalk and viewing platform are accessible day and night. Bring warm clothing if you hope to spend time looking at the stars.
Keep to the designated boardwalk and immediate treehouse grounds at night. Other tracks and historic mining areas are not safe to explore unaccompanied.
Explore
with care.
Te Aka is on historic mining ground, with known and potentially undiscovered open shafts, holes, tunnels, cliff edges and steep drop-offs. Stay on immediate treehouse grounds, independently accessible signed boardwalk, or the paths your guide directs you to use. Do not explore other tracks alone.
Guided tours
Take suitable footwear, respect the guide's instructions and read and sign the risk disclosure form before a guided exploration.
Children & pets
This is primarily an adults-oriented retreat. Children over 12 are welcome when accompanied and carefully supervised by an adult. Pets are not permitted because of safety risks on this historic mining site.
Off-grid environment
Conserve rainwater and solar energy. Do not put chemicals down the drains because Te Aka uses a worm farm septic system.
Emergency
For an emergency in New Zealand dial 111. Contact Lisa and Dave for non-emergency assistance.
AOTEAROA · THE TIAKI PROMISECare for people.
Care for place.
Care for culture, too. Tiaki is a promise to help look after Aotearoa while you enjoy it.
At Te Aka this also means conserving rainwater and solar power, protecting the worm farm septic system, keeping to safe permitted areas and respecting the forest.
Read the official Tiaki Promise ↗ 06 · CHECKOUTUntil next
time.
We hope the forest has given you a beautiful chance to slow down.
Before you head off
Take a final look around both treehouses for your belongings, and be mindful of the retreat’s limited rainwater and solar power as you wrap up your stay.
If anything needs attention or you have a question about departure, please contact Lisa or Dave. The current guest PDF specifies the checkout time but does not list a detailed checkout checklist.