Camp Hemsworth: Winter Edition | Hemsworth Estate

CAMP HEMSWORTH

3rd-5th July 2026

The luxury winter escape for women at a country estate,

just one hour from Christchurch.

Book now

CAMP HEMSWORTH

3rd-5th July 2026

The luxury winter escape for women at a country estate,

just one hour from Christchurch.

Book now

Break up your winter hibernation

You’ll take up residence at the estate with six like-minded women to experience a luxury winter weekend expertly curated to make new friends, relax and spend time trying a selection of cozy activities all while being treated to sumptuous meals (and wine, of course!)

Your Summer Camp Location

Not a bunk bed in sight during this idyllic adventure. Guests will be hosted in one of three suites in the 1911 Edwardian Homestead, and Glamping Tents in the sheltered gardens close to the homestead and all its ammenities. 

Camp is set up for twin share with a single supplement available. Earlybird Campers will be first to select their rooms.

You won't lift a finger

Spend the weekend being fully taken care of body, mind and spirit. All meals, refreshments, activities and entertainment is included in the price. 

Curate your own adventure

During the three activity sessions over the weekend, you will be presented with a variety of choices to select from. Some are guided and others are self-led and you always have the choice to opt out in favour of a good book, or some quiet time in the garden. 

Your time is your own

Camp is designed to give you quality time to enjoy in your own way. We have both introvert and extrovert friendly spaces set up, and a schedule that caters to  as restful or packed a holiday as you like. 

Escape to the Country

Only one hour south of Christchurch and 10 minutes from Ashburton, Hemsworth Estate is secluded in centennial trees, and surrounded by country gardens and an orchard. With everything you need on site, and permission to leave your phone on silent, you’ll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of normal life.

Enjoy a weekend country escape with like-minded women

 

 

 

 

 

Your ticket includes

Luxury Accomodation

Stay in the renovated 1911 Edwardian Homestead Guest Suites.

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All Inclusive

Your meals, activities, accomodation and drinks (including wine and cocktails) are all included in the price.

Intimate Experience

Limited to six guests, in the Mid-Canterbury Countryside, you’ll feel a world away from the hustle of everyday life.

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Try something new

A range of activities is available to explore including Making Preserves, Cozy Crafts, a Movie Night and more.

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Evening Campfire

Join in the ultimate camp activity on Friday night- S’mores and Girly Bonding 

High Tea

Hemsworth Estate is known for it’s lavish High Tea complete with Scones, Jam and Cream.

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Apertivo Hour

Enjoy a pre-dinner Cocktail or Mocktail paired with canapes before dinner.

Lavish 3-Course Meals

Feel like royalty as you’re served 3-course meals each night in our Dining Room.

Your Accomodation

The Wallace Suite
Complete with ensuite

The Guinness Suite
Complete with ensuite

The Winifred Suite
With large bathroom down the hall

stay in a suite

Guest Suites at Hemsworth Estate accomodate two people in king single beds and have either an ensuite or bathroom down the hallway. Guests can request a roommate or be assigned one based on our camp questionnaire. 

Escape everyday life

Our 2026 Winter Camp Tickets will be anounced in May

Balance fun adventures with rest and relaxation

Book now

Payment Information:

The total price listed is per person.

Payment plans are available and include a $10 admin fee. The full balance must be paid in order to attend.

Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct apply.

Camp Programme

Friday

4:00pm – Arrival and Check in
5:00pm – Apertivo Meet and Greet in the Drawing Room
6:00pm – Candlelit Dinner in the Dining Room
Evening – Smores by the Fire

Saturday

8:30am – 10:00am – Breakfast in the Dining Room
10:30am – Your choice of Morning Activity
1:00pm –  High Tea
3:00pm – Your Choice of Afternoon Activity or Free Time
5:00pm – Apertivo Hour
6:00pm – 3-Course Meal
8:30pm – Movie Night

Sunday

8:00am – 10:00am – Self-Served Light Breakfast
10:00am – Free time or your choice of Activity.
11:00am – Farewell Brunch
1:00pm – Depart Camp Hemsworth 

Note: Wet Weather alternatives planned for all outdoor activities. Some activities may be altered due to numbers, interest or restrictions beyond our control, I.E Fire Bans. 

Additional Information
Activities

Enjoy a selection of cozy winter-themed activities, and take home the supplies and instructions for those activities you don’t do during the camp.

Activities will be one of the following categories:

  • Preserving
  • Cozy Crafts
  • For the Garden
Meals

Breakfast including freshly baked goods, homemade jams, fruits, spreads, and more is available from 8:30am – 10:00am 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 High Tea filled with sweet and savoury delicacies will replace luncheon on Saturday alongside bubbles, and scones with cream and homemade jam. 

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.

Staff

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.

Ammenities

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.

Accomodations

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).

The Inspiration behind Camp Hemsworth

 

Hi, I’m Rebecca. The fourth generation of my family to call Hemsworth Estate home. I’ve been an event planner for over a decade and in 2018, my mum and I opened Hemsworth Estate to the public to create their own memories.

We take inspiration from all over the world for our events, New Zealand is often behind on the world market, leaving us with FOMO when it comes to new ideas. We have previously hosted a Bridgerton ball, themed tea parties and our Bed and Breakfast receives rave reviews.

We also create the kind of events we would want to go to ourselves. Earlier in the year, I saw a camp at a chateau in France specifically designed for women and immediately wanted to pack my bags. As like most of us with commitments and a full life, spending a summer in France is unattainable without extreme planning and a hefty savings balance. So, why not host one closer to home? Camp Hemsworth became a new date on the calendar.

Now more than ever, we know female friendships are the lifeblood of our mental and physical wellbeing and making new friends as an adult is not easy. At Camp Hemsworth, we aim to bring women together in an effortless, intimate space for you to “just be” no matter your social battery.

Slowing down is not in my nature, but I still have a craving to do things the slow way. Experimenting in my kitchen, growing our own food, and generally just “giving it a go” has built new skills that will form the basis of the activities on offer at the camp. 

But this is not just my camp. It’s yours. The brave women who attend will have the opportunity to shape this camp experience, voting for their preferences of activities, sharing their hopes for the weekend, and we will aim to bring those hopes to reality.

If you’re still reading, I’m grateful for your interest and I’d love to see you at Camp Hemsworth,

Rebecca Hulse

What is Camp Hemsworth like?

A girly getaway in nature and calm reliving our childhood past time of garden picnics and pretty frocks and flowers! Absolutely fantastic food and drinks. Left with a very happy full heart and tummy! Thank you so much for a magical weekend getaway in your beautiful home, it has been so refreshing and heartwarming 💕

Camp Hemsworth 2025 Participant

The country setting in an historic home was fantastic bait to begin with, but the addition of lovely (optional) creative activities, themed evening entertainment, and the chance to get a little dressed up while we had a luxurious weekend was impossible to resist. It seemed like a wonderful way to step away from the stresses of modern life and be a “lady of leisure’ for a few days.

Camp Hemsworth 2026 Participant

I loved every moment of it. I did love hearing about the history of the home. I was also thrilled to meet other like minded people. What stood out to me was the way in which you had preserved the homestead and how you utilise everything around you (i.e even flower petals to make cordial). Thanks for everything! It was a wonderful weekend! I would definitely attend again.

Camp Hemsworth 2025 Participant

It was all completely wonderful, meeting lovely people, and Willow. I think my favourite thing was the way the itinerary was paced, it was so relaxed that we just flowed from an activity to a meal and then had enough time to soak up the house and surrounding environment (with Willow pats) and then move on to another creative endeavour. As I probably said a hundred times, it was like staying with friends who just happen to live in a magical place.

Camp Hemsworth 2026 Participant

Jema and Rebecca! You are accomodating, interesting, just the perfect amount of involved but doing your own thing, you girls were fabulous. I would very happily join again for another summer camp!

Camp Hemsworth 2025 Participant

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a single room?

Due to the limited space, we cannot accomodate single rooms at our Winter Camp.

Who will I be sharing with?

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

Will you offer a Day Visitor version?

Yes, we have day passes available for Saturday 4th July. Arrive at 10:30am and participate in your choice of morning and afternoon activity. Pass also includes High Tea There’s an additional option to stay for Apertivo hour, a themed 3-Course Dinner and Movie night too.

Do I have to do every activity?

Every activity is optional allowing you to participate and relax as much or as little as you like. Most activities will be self-led with the exception of preserving held in the kitchen. And of course, you can elect not to do anything and relax.

What's your refund policy?

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 14 days or more of arrival date = 50% refund.
  • Cancellation made 13 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.

Who can come?

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

Where is Hemsworth Estate?

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.

Questions?

We’d be happy to help. Please contact us here or call Rebecca on 0274339779.