Group Glamping in Southland: The Perfect Getaway for Families and Friends
Looking for group accommodation in Southland where everyone can stay together? Discover a different kind of group getaway at Forest Hillside Glamping Retreat, near Winton and Invercargill.
If your family has spent years meeting up at the same campground every summer, or your group of friends has been talking about organising a weekend away for ages, why not try something a little different?
Imagine bringing everyone together in the countryside, with cosy glamping tents to sleep in, a spacious communal lodge to gather in, a hot tub to relax in and plenty of room to catch up, laugh and make memories.
No more trying to book neighbouring motel rooms, squeezing everyone into one holiday house or coordinating separate accommodation around a busy campground.
At Forest Hillside Glamping Retreat, your group gets exclusive use of the entire retreat. It’s your own private place to stay, socialise, relax and enjoy time together.
Located near Forest Hill in Southland, just a short drive from Winton and Invercargill, it’s a unique option for families, friendship groups and anyone looking for group accommodation with a difference.
A Different Kind of Group Getaway
Sometimes the best holidays aren’t about travelling somewhere far away or packing every day with activities. They’re about getting everyone together in one place.
Perhaps your extended family normally meets at a campground every summer. Maybe you have a group of friends who have known each other for years but rarely manage to organise a weekend away. Or perhaps you’re part of a group of women who would love a night or two to catch up without the usual distractions of work, children and everyday life.
Whatever brings your group together, Forest Hillside offers a different way to enjoy time away.
Instead of pitching tents, organising camping gear and hoping the weather behaves, you can enjoy the outdoor atmosphere with the added comforts of beautifully presented canvas sleeping tents, warm bedding and a communal space where everyone can come together.
And the best part? You won’t be sharing the retreat with other accommodation guests. The whole property is yours for the duration of your stay.
The Perfect Alternative to Your Usual Summer Camping Trip
If your family or friendship group has been camping together for years, you’ll know how special those annual get-togethers can be.
The shared meals, late-night conversations, children playing together and stories that get retold every year are often what make the holiday memorable.
But sometimes it’s nice to change things up.
Forest Hillside Glamping Retreat gives your group the chance to enjoy that same sense of togetherness without everyone needing to bring their own tent, bedding and camping equipment.
Our separate sleeping tents provide a cosy place to retreat at the end of the day, while the spacious Belle Retreat communal lodge gives everyone somewhere to gather.
Spend your days catching up, sharing meals, playing games and enjoying the outdoors. When evening arrives, relax in the hot tub, gather around the fire pit or put a movie on the outdoor projector.
It’s camping with a little more comfort, a little more luxury and a lot less organising.
If you’re searching for family group accommodation in Southland, group glamping in New Zealand or a unique alternative to a traditional camping ground, this could be the change your group has been looking for.
A Girls’ Getaway Worth Getting Everyone Together For
When was the last time you and your friends had a proper catch-up without watching the clock?
For groups of women, mums, sisters, cousins or lifelong friends, a weekend away can be the perfect excuse to reconnect.
Forget trying to organise dinner reservations, arranging transport between venues or finding enough hotel rooms for everyone. Instead, imagine arriving at your own private countryside retreat, unpacking, pouring a drink and settling in for a weekend of conversation and relaxation.
There’s room to enjoy the experience your way.
Relax and reconnect
Start your stay with a drink and a platter, settle into the communal lodge and enjoy the luxury of having nowhere else you need to be.
Enjoy a soak in the hot tub
Take turns relaxing in the hot tub, catch up on everyone’s news and enjoy a little time away from the usual routine.
Make an evening of it
Gather around the fire, put on a movie with the outdoor projector or bring your favourite games. You can make the weekend as relaxed or as lively as your group wants, while respecting the retreat’s house rules and quiet hours.
Add a little extra luxury
Make your getaway even more special with optional wine and platter packages or other available extras.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, planning a long-overdue reunion or simply want a weekend away with your favourite people, Forest Hillside offers a memorable setting for a group catch-up.
Extended Family Holidays Made Easier
Getting the whole family together can be difficult, especially when everyone has different needs, ages and ideas about what makes a good holiday.
Grandparents might want somewhere peaceful to relax, parents might appreciate a break from the usual routine, and children may simply want space to play and have fun.
A private glamping getaway offers a chance to bring different generations together while still giving everyone their own sleeping space.
Forest Hillside is designed for groups of up to 12 guests, with separate sleeping tents and a shared communal area. The retreat offers a unique alternative to booking multiple motel rooms or trying to find a large holiday house that suits everyone.
Enjoy family meals, outdoor activities, movie nights and relaxed evenings together. You can spend time socialising in the lodge and outdoors, then retreat to your own tent when you’re ready for some quiet time.
It’s a wonderful way to create new family traditions, celebrate a special occasion or bring everyone together for a memorable summer getaway.
Space for Everyone to Gather Together
One of the biggest challenges when organising group accommodation is finding somewhere that works for both sleeping and socialising.
A property might have enough beds, but does it have a comfortable place where everyone can sit together? Is there somewhere to prepare meals? Can the group relax without feeling crowded?
Forest Hillside has been created around the idea of bringing people together.
Your stay includes exclusive use of the retreat, with access to the sleeping tents, Belle Retreat communal lodge, kitchen facilities and outdoor gathering spaces.
Enjoy shared meals, board games, conversations around the fire and time in the hot tub. The communal spaces give your group somewhere to spend time together, while the separate sleeping tents offer a little privacy at the end of the day.
It’s a different kind of group accommodation — one where the experience is just as important as the place you sleep.
Explore Southland Together
A group getaway doesn’t have to mean staying on the property the entire time. If your group enjoys getting out and exploring, there are plenty of ways to make a weekend of it.
Explore Forest Hill
For groups who enjoy walking and nature, Forest Hill Scenic Reserve offers an opportunity to explore native forest and enjoy the outdoors together.
The Derek Turnbull Track is a lovely option for those wanting to experience the local landscape. Check the Department of Conservation’s track information before setting out, and choose a walk that suits the abilities of your group.
Visit Winton
Just a short drive away, Winton offers local cafes, shops and country pubs where you can stop for coffee, browse the main street or enjoy a relaxed meal.
It’s an easy way to add a little exploring to your stay without needing to plan a major road trip.
Make the retreat your own
Of course, you may decide that the best plan is no plan at all.
Spend the afternoon enjoying the property, organise a shared dinner, play games with the children or simply sit back and enjoy the countryside. Sometimes the best part of a group holiday is having everyone together without needing to be anywhere else.
Why Choose Private Group Glamping Instead of a Campground?
Traditional campgrounds will always have their place, especially for families who love the outdoors. But if your group is looking for something different this year, private glamping offers another option.
At Forest Hillside, you can enjoy:
Exclusive use of the retreat: your group has the property to yourselves, rather than sharing the accommodation spaces with other guests.
Separate sleeping tents: a more private and comfortable alternative to everyone sleeping in one large room.
A communal lodge: somewhere for the whole group to gather, socialise and relax.
Kitchen and bathroom facilities: practical comforts that make organising a group stay easier.
A hot tub and outdoor spaces: extra ways to unwind and enjoy the time together.
A unique countryside setting: a chance to get away without travelling far from home.
For families and friends who usually meet at a campground, it’s a chance to keep the tradition of getting together while enjoying a completely different experience.
And for groups of women who want a relaxing weekend away, it offers a private setting where you can focus on catching up and enjoying yourselves.
Planning a Group Getaway for Up to 12 Guests?
Forest Hillside Glamping Retreat accommodates groups of up to 12 guests, making it ideal for smaller extended families, friendship groups, family reunions and special get-togethers.
The sleeping tent configuration is prepared according to your group size, with alternative arrangements available by enquiry and subject to availability.
The retreat is located in the Southland countryside near Lochiel, approximately 15 minutes from Winton and 25 minutes from Invercargill.
Our glamping season runs from October through to April, making it a great option for planning a summer family gathering, a spring reunion or an autumn weekend away.
If you’re organising a group stay, we recommend getting in touch early to discuss your preferred dates, group size and sleeping arrangements.
Bring Your Favourite People Together
You don’t need a special occasion to organise a group getaway. Sometimes it’s enough to know that everyone has been busy and it’s time to make a weekend happen.
Whether you’re continuing a family summer tradition, planning a girls’ getaway, organising an extended family reunion or simply looking for somewhere different to stay with friends, Forest Hillside Glamping Retreat offers a unique way to enjoy time together.
Leave the everyday routine behind, settle into the countryside and enjoy the simple pleasure of having everyone in one place.
Your people. Your own private retreat. Your next group getaway.
Ready to Plan Your Group Stay?
Discover private group glamping in Southland at Forest Hillside Glamping Retreat.
Visit our Stay With Us page to explore the accommodation and start planning your next family or friends getaway.
Book your group escape: https://www.foresthillsideglampingretreat.co.nz/
