You’ll have a menu of activities to choose from during the camp. Some are self-led and there are two guided ones individually led by one of Hemsworth Estate’s staff members.

These activities are still being finalised but a shortlist of options for you to choose from will be offered to campers ahead of time to vote for their preferred activities.

Current options include:

• Make Floral Cordial
• Upcycle Furniture
• Floral Arrangements
• Cake Painting
• Craft Projects

Breakfast including freshly baked goods, homemade jams, fruits, spreads, and more is available from 8:30am – 10:30am in the dining room along with tea, coffee, and juice.  Sunday’s breakfast will be a lighter affair aimed to tide guests over until our Farewell Brunch at 11:00am.

A Picnic Lunch in a basket will be available to pick up from 12:00pm on Saturday to enjoy on the grounds of Hemsworth Estate. Each basket is has enough for two.

Unlimited Snacks are available at anytime for between activities or early to rise/late to bed campers including Tea and Coffee. 

Apertivo is an italian word meaning “to open” the stomach before dining with a pre-meal drink and little bite to eat. We will have a themed cocktail or mocktail for each day along with complimentary pre-dinner canapes.

Dinner each evening, will be a lavish 3-course affair with wine that some guests have rated higher than New Zealand’s local castle. 

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free alternatives are available upon request. Please let us know when you fill out our Camp Intake form.

Camp Hemsworth is run by fourth generation custodians of Hemsworth Estate Rebecca Hulse and Jema Smith. See more about the history of Hemsworth Estate and what the current owners are up to here.

Each room comes equipped with a welcome kit, snack basket, jug and water glasses, an ensuite or full bathroom per suite and additional toilets, and showers onsite for glampers. All bathrooms have hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, soap, fresh linens and vanity kits. There is wifi in the homestead, plus parking, tea and coffee facilities and more.

Yes we can cater to most dietary requirements with advance notice. Please call to confirm we can cater to your requests. Please note, we do not have a separate facility for Gluten Free food preparation and cannot guarantee cross-contamination will not occur.

The nature of Hemsworth Estate’s 1911 Historic Homestead setting is the building does not cater to modern standards. There are four shallow steps with no handrail to the main entrance of the building. Each persons needs are unique so we ask you give us a call to discuss your requirements and see how we can meet them. We do have an accessible bathroom external to the homestead (ground floor access).

You can request a specific roommate if you know someone else who is attending the event, otherwise based on your Summer Camp Intake Form we will pair you with the most compatible person.

Yes, we will have day passes available for Saturday 15th January. These will launch on December 1st.  Arrive at 10:00am and participate in your choice of morning and afternoon activity. Pass also includes Picnic Lunch in the Garden and Afternoon Tea. There’s an additional option to stay for Apertivo hour and a themed 3-Course Dinner too.

Each Glamping Tent will have two double sized foam mattresses, pillows, linen, towels, solar or battery powered lighting and a seating area.

Every activity is optional allowing you to participate and relax as much or as little as you like. Each activity session will offer a selection of three activities including one self-led option. And of course, you can elect not to do anything and relax.

Guests who need to cancel their booking should contact us as soon as possible. Refunds are made in accordance with the following conditions;

• Cancellation made 30 days or more in advance of arrival date = 75% refund.
• Cancellation made 30 days or less of arrival date = 25% refund.
• Cancellation made 14 days or less of arrival date = No refund issued, full amount of booking due.

Non-arrival guests, who are unable to attend or fail to attend for whatever reason forfeit their deposit paid and the full amount of the booking will be due. It is suggested that booking guests take out appropriate holiday / cancellation insurance where required.

In the rare event we need to cancel your booking with us, please be aware that we cannot be held liable for circumstances beyond our control and that our liability to you is limited to the refund of any payment already made.

We welcome women of all ages over 18. Hemsworth Estate is lgbtq+ friendly. 

Our address is 356 Beach Road East. We are located 5kms from the east side of the Ashburton town boundary (approximately 10 minutes drive from the centre of town). Travel from Christchurch central takes approximately 1:20.