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Two rustic self-contained, hand-built cottages are nestled in a garden and bush setting overlooking the Whanganui River. These are complimented by an off-grid tiny house, a treetop studio and a 'Glamping' tent. A small number of camping pitches complete the accommodation choices, meaning there is something for everyone. This piece of paradise has been lovingly developed into a truly unique place to stay. Access is only by aerial cableway or via the river by canoe or river taxi, making it the ideal 'get away from it all' retreat. All the units (except glamping tent) are fully equipped with bedding, towels, kitchens, music and book collections. For campers there is are showers, toilets and a kitchen shelter along with a fire pit for communal use. There is also free wi-fi access for those who need to keep in touch with the outside world. Halfway between Pipiriki and Whanganui along the Mountain to Sea Cycle Trail and Te Araroa Walkway , this is a welcome overnight stay for cyclists, canoeist and walkers. Dinner and breakfast can be provided with advance notice, and our small onsite shop has provisions for self-catering along with local artwork and other products. Organic, in season fruit/vegetables are often available from our gardens and free range eggs may be on offer from our flock of chickens.
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If you travel up the Whanganui River road then staying here is a MUST! This is my 3rd time staying at the FF and it never fails to delight me with its quirky accommodation and access. I have accessed it both by kayak and by the flying fox itself which gives breathtaking views of the Whanganui River and National Park. The hosts are pretty DTE no nonsense, helpful and knowledgable, they have a great little shop that sells souvenirs, wine, beer and food. Cosy beds, great kitchens and lounge areas. Sit outside at night listen to NZ Mopoke- waken to Tui's. Beautiful Avocado trees, I take my hat off to the hosts Jane and Kelly who must work 24/7 to keep this wonderful place as well maintained as it is. Thanks for another great stay.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Just relax and enjoy!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane McCall, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 24 Mar 2023
Thanks for your lovely words Lorraine. We are so glad that enjoyed your stay again - we love welcoming return customers and sharing what we have been doing (always something new to see here!)
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What excellent hosts, very attentive and knowledgeable. They made my daughter and I very welcome, sadly we only stayed the one night but could have stayed longer :-) A great experience and we could not recommend it enough. The accommodation is fully set up with bedding, towels, and all kitchen equipment, but you need to be prepared with food, drink etc but on site they have set up a fantastic shop, so should you run out of anything or forget anything it is all there, and if not I am sure Jane and Kelly would go out of their way to sort it for you, for instance the young lady that lost her trainers in the river, Jane only to happy to lent a pair. We stayed in the Tree top studio experiencing the toilet and shower outside, just great fun. Fully electric and great wifi. We will certainly visit and stay again a little longer.
Job well done Kelly and Jane.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Take your own food, drink etc, but there is a fantastic little shop set up.
Book the Tree Top...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane and Kelly Stephens, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 21 Mar 2024
Thank you so much for the lovely review. We are glad you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you next time you are in NZ!
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We stayed at the Flying Fox lodge during the Mountains to Sea cycle trail. Jane and Kelly were exceptional hosts. The accommodation was unique and comfortable. The food was exceptional and comes from local game caught around the property along with extensive vegetable gardens and orchards. Ringing a gong to cross the river in a flying fox gondola certainly added to the Wow factor. Would highly recommend this accommodation.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane and Kelly Stephens, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 1 Mar 2024
Thank you for the lovely review Ian. Your group was a pleasure to host and we are glad you enjoyed your stop-over here. We hope to see some or all of you again at some stage and wish you all the best with your ongoing fundraising!
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Our group of 7 stayed at the Flying Fox on our Mountains to Sea Cycle. Jane and Kelly were wonderful hosts and worked hard to ensure our stay was comfortable, taking time to show us around and to chat. The garden to plate food was simply delicious, choices of meats and salads and desserts - I don't know how they do it. The croissants and home-made bread for breakfast were a treat. We really appreciated the comfy beds, the lush and extensive grounds, the wonderful ambience of the outside table, the chooks, the trees and the turntable with old LPs! It was one to remember.
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Date of stay: November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane and Kelly Stephens, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 15 Nov 2022
Thank you so much for your review Miriam. We do work hard to ensure our guests have a comfortable stay and it is lovely to know that we are hitting the right mark. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting your group and hope the rest of your Mountains to Sea trip was as much fun.
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We had a one night stop as part of a messed up by weather trip. What a fantastic place. Crossing the river was a lovely, gentle way to cross into another world of beautiful gardens, well maintained cabins, and welcoming hosts, Kelly and Jane. Our package included dinner, breakfast and a pack lunch. Wow! Dinner was sumptuous and homely - a good, old fashioned pie with roast vegetables followed by a panacotta dessert. We loved the collection of old LPs in our cabin, and played a number of them in a romantic, cosy hideaway. More time there would be wonderful. They also made it possible for us to get to our next activity by getting up especially early to send us back across the river on the flying fox.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane and Kelly Stephens, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 7 Apr 2021
Thank you for the review Stephen, we were glad you were still able to enjoy a night with us and then commence your river trip, albeit delayed by a few days!
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We have been to the flying fox a few times now and plan to re visit again, this is such a gem along a whangnaui river. Jane and Kelly really are great hosts, they have created such a wonderful escape. You feel cut off enough to really get away and out into the wildlife, but they have catered for every event no matter the weather or occasion, from simple camping to staying in a beautiful studio tree top setting. We haven’t joined in on any of the activities, but the stone carving looks amazing and we are hoping to book that and a fun kids day next time we visit
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane and Kelly Stephens, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 20 Mar 2022
thanks Kat, it was good to see you all again. Glad the novelty does not wear off after a couple of visits !
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Located across the whanganui river the only access is by a small cable car(unless arriving by canoe ) operated by the owner from the far side consequently advance booking and arrival time is essential. This alone is an unique experience. The cottages (2)are rustic,comfortable and can be used as self contained accommodation if required but breakfast and evening meals are available.There is also a larger building with further accomodation, large lounge and kitchen. A great place to chill out , enjoy the rural surroundings ( you may even spot deer if you are an early riser ) and comfortable accommodation. Kelly and Jane are great hosts .Would love to go back there sometime.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane and Kelly Stephens, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 16 Nov 2021
Thanks Malcom - you are welcome back anytime!
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The Flying Fox is a great off the grid place to stay. Start with access only by cable car across the Whanganui River, followed by Kelly and Jane’s very warm welcome. We stayed in the James K cottage which is the most “luxurious “ accommodation. Jane’s breakfasts are great. The peace, quiet and wildlife sounds make for a very restful retreat. The facility is almost completely self sustainable with garden to table and many home made preserves. We would love to come back. J and K have many stories to share.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The jet boat on the river and hike to the bridge to nowhere is definitely worth it.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane McCall, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 27 Jan 2024
Thank you Tom, it was a pleasure to meet and chat with you both and we were sad to see you leave, We hope that you enjoy the rest of your journey through Aotearoa and that are paths cross again some day. warm regards Jane and Kelly
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Jane and Kelly have really put their hearts and souls into this jewel of the whanganui river retreat park. The cooked breakfast and packed lunch really gave my mountains to sea cycle tour a massive lift. Great mountain views from the penthouse suite and a decent library, record collection and myriad of bush walks to keep everyone happy.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Try to get there after 2pm. They have a decent tuk shop if you need to restock on food. Great...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane McCall, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 15 Apr 2023
Thank you Peter, glad you enjoyed being with us as part of your Mountain bike trip.
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If you need to escape the madness of social distancing and hand santising, isolate yourself here. It's gorgeous .... you'll receive a warm welcome and then settle down and enjoy the peace and beauty of your surroundings. It really is the perfect escape.
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jane and Kelly Stephens, Owner at The Flying Fox
Responded 16 Oct 2020
Thank you Christine, glad you enjoyed your break. We certainly are a great place to escape the madness!
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There are more places to choose from in the Whanganui area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
the flying fox hotel wanganui
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionWhanganui
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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