OFF GRID, IN NATURE
Just five minutes from Mangawhai township, Little Tin Shed sits on a small working farm yet feels like a world away.
Photos Brook Sabin
What was once an old smoko hut relocated from a nearby building site is now one of the region's most quietly considered escapes. Hosts Julia and Tim have created something that reflects the simplicity and character of its surroundings. With a unique design goal to create a space that felt authentically old alongside selected luxuries of modern day life. The exterior is clad in recycled, weathered corrugated iron, leaning into the feel of a classic New Zealand woolshed. Every interior wall is finished in timber they milled themselves, a detail that gives the cabin its distinctive character and creates a strong sense of cohesion throughout.
Julia poured her energy into every detail of the transformation, from the beautifully tiled shower and carefully curated organic linen to the tactile mix of natural textures like wool throws and sheepskins. Hand-selected Crown Lynn crockery sits alongside refined modern finishes, striking a balance between old and new that feels effortless rather than styled.
The property itself is a small working farm with cows, sheep, chooks, and bees. They grow an abundance of fresh vegetables, collect their own eggs, and raise their own meat, all while following organic and sustainable practices, which is a very important part of how they live and work on the land.
The outdoor bath, tucked into the mānuka bush, is reason enough to stay. Evening soaks under an open sky, stargazing, and the sound of crashing waves from the nearby beach create something quietly magical.
Guests can rent an electric bike for their stay to explore Mangawhai's beaches, markets, and the renowned Cliff Top Walk, or simply stay put, which is, arguably, the whole point. Dogs are welcome, the kitchen is well equipped for self-catering, and Mangawhai's cafés and eateries are on the doorstep for when the mood to venture out strikes.
Completely off grid and close to town, Little Tin Shed is the rare escape that asks nothing of its guests but to slow down and take a step back from the busyness of everyday life.
GIVEAWAY:
Follow @Junction_Mag on Instagram for your chance to win a winter escape at @LittleTinShed
Enjoy an off grid two-night stay for two guests – soak up nature, bathe under the stars, slow down, and let the calm of farm life do the rest.
Don't miss your chance to win.
This competition will be live on Wednesday 1 July.
www.canopycamping.co.nz/little-tin-shed | www.instagram.com/littletinshed
