Stargate Forest Retreat has two new bush cabins on a private 40-acre native forest property in Dome Forest, about 50 minutes north of Auckland CBD near Warkworth. Each cabin sleeps up to three people and has its own toilet and shower, which lifts the whole property to 17 guests.
That makes Stargate one of the few places north of Auckland where a family, a yoga group or a leadership team can take over an entire forest retreat, cabins and all. We filmed the property in 4K so you can see it for yourself.
The houseThe main lounge looks across the valley. Cabin guests share this space, the kitchen and the spa.
Stargate Forest at a glance
| Location | 323 Smyth Road, Dome Forest, Warkworth 0910, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Drive from Auckland | About 50 min from the CBD, 45 min from the Harbour Bridge |
| Land | 40 acres of private native bush on a ridge top |
| Total capacity | Up to 17 guests (house sleeps 11, two cabins sleep 3 each) |
| Cabins | 2 new cabins, each with a double bunk, single top bunk, private toilet and shower |
| Highlights | Waterfalls, lily pond, private walking tracks, spa pool, valley and sea views |
| Best for | Group getaways, family stays, wellness and yoga retreats, corporate offsites |
| Guest rating | 4.87 out of 5 from 15 Airbnb reviews (October 2026) |
Inside the new forest cabins
The two cabins sit beside the main house, so cabin guests get private sleeping space without losing the shared kitchen, lounge and spa. Each one is built for up to three people.
- Beds: a double bunk below and a single bunk on top, so a couple plus one, or three friends, fit comfortably.
- Bathroom: each cabin has its own private toilet and shower. No queuing for the house bathrooms in the morning.
- Setting: bush on every side, birdsong at dawn, and fantails (pīwakawaka) flitting past the door.
- Access to the house: cabin guests share the full kitchen, the lounge with wood burner, the library, the sunroom and the outdoor spa pool.
The cabins solve the biggest problem with group stays: everyone wants their own space at night, but nobody wants to be split across different properties. At Stargate, the whole group stays on one ridge, eats at one table, and still gets a quiet place to sleep.
Shared diningThe extending table seats 10 to 12 indoors, with outdoor dining for 12 on the deck.
How the 17 beds are laid out
| Space | Sleeps | Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Master bedroom (ensuite) | Up to 4 | King, plus king single and single trundle |
| Queen room | 2 | Queen |
| The Lighthouse (upstairs, 360° views) | Up to 3 | Two singles that zip into a super king, plus a portable single |
| Library | 2 | Sofa bed |
| Cabin 1 | 3 | Double bunk plus single top bunk |
| Cabin 2 | 3 | Double bunk plus single top bunk |
The 40 acres around the cabins
The cabins open onto 40 acres of private New Zealand native bush, on a ridge with views across the valley over Warkworth to Kawau Island and the distant Coromandel ranges. Most of what makes a stay here memorable is a short walk from your cabin door.
The bushTree ferns and regenerating native forest cover most of the 40 acres.
- A hidden series of waterfalls. The previous owner of 13 years knew a waterfall existed but never found it. The Stargate team found a whole network of them after bush-bashing the steep slopes.
- Private walking tracks. Tracks range from a gentle path cut with the resident mini digger to steep bush tracks down to the falls. Guests get a track map, and each walk has its own explainer video.
- Lily pond and grass glade. A pond full of friendly frogs and an open meadow ringed by native trees.
- Rare wildlife. Look for the giant New Zealand land snail and listen for tūī and fantails.
- Spa pool under the stars. No streetlights on the ridge, so the night sky is the main event.
- Fitness corner. TRX, kettlebells, free weights, bands, Block Therapy tools and a massage gun.
Beyond the boundary, hundreds of acres of forest offer mountain biking and longer hikes. Smyth Bush Scenic Reserve is a 10-minute walk from the house and links to Te Araroa, the 3,000 km trail that runs the length of New Zealand. The trail follows the ridgeline of the Dome Forest, a 401-hectare Department of Conservation area of podocarp and broadleaf forest.
Who the cabins are for
The cabins turn Stargate into a whole-property venue for groups of up to 17. Four kinds of guests get the most from them.
Families and friend groups
Kids and teens love having their own cabin. Adults keep the house. Everyone meets back at the spa. Warkworth, Matakana and Omaha Beach are an easy drive away.
Yoga, wellness and healing retreat leaders
Stargate was built as a healing retreat, and it supports leaders who want to run their own events. The cabins let you sell more places per retreat while keeping the group together. A vegetarian menu is available.
Corporate teams and leadership groups
Stargate hosts strategy days, executive weekends and team-building events. The house has multiple breakout rooms, workshop spaces, four monitors and TVs, two Apple TVs and Wi-Fi speakers. Sessions run indoors in the morning, and the afternoon goes to the waterfall track.
Solo guests on a 1-on-1 retreat
Stargate also offers private wellness, meditation and healing retreats for individuals who want time in nature to reset.
ConnectedSmart displays, Wi-Fi speakers and monitors make the house work for presentations as well as downtime.
How Stargate compares with other retreats north of Auckland
Stargate is the option for groups who want an entire private forest to themselves, by car, for under 20 people. Other good venues nearby suit different needs.
| Venue | Setting | Group size | Getting there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stargate Forest Retreat | 40 private acres of native bush, waterfalls, ridge-top views | Up to 17, whole property | 50 min drive from Auckland CBD | Private group retreats, wellness, small leadership teams |
| Woodhouse Mountain Lodge | 100-acre estate with ocean views | Up to 36 across 18 villas | 15 min from Warkworth | Larger corporate events and weddings |
| Parohe Island Retreat | Kawau Island waterfront, native bush | 12 cabins | About 20 min boat ride | Island wellness stays and events |
| Waitakere Resort & Spa | 30 hectares of rainforest, west Auckland | Conference-sized | About 30 km from the city | Conferences with full catering |
| Tiny Away Kauri cabins | Kauri bush in Waitoki | 2 per tiny home | About 30 min north of CBD | Couples’ getaways |
What sets Stargate apart is exclusivity and terrain. You book the whole ridge, not a room in a lodge. You get your own waterfalls and tracks, not a shared walkway. And you can still drive there after work on a Friday.
Getting there and booking
Stargate Forest is at 323 Smyth Road, Dome Forest, about 50 minutes north of Auckland CBD via State Highway 1. The last 7 minutes are on a gravel road that narrows to one lane. Turn hard left at the Stargate Forest Retreat sign. A video guide to the entrance shows the route, and the new car parks have plenty of room. Check-in is self-service with a smart lock.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Stargate Forest Retreat?
Stargate Forest is at 323 Smyth Road, Dome Forest, near Warkworth in the Auckland region of New Zealand. It is about 50 minutes’ drive north of Auckland CBD.
How many people can stay at Stargate Forest?
Up to 17 guests. The main house sleeps 11 across three bedrooms and a library sofa bed, and the two forest cabins sleep three each.
Do the cabins have their own bathrooms?
Yes. Each cabin has a private toilet and shower. Cabin guests also share the house kitchen, lounges and spa pool.
Can I book Stargate Forest for a corporate retreat near Auckland?
Yes. Stargate hosts leadership strategy days, executive weekends and team-building events. The house has breakout rooms, workshop spaces, monitors and Wi-Fi for presentations.
Can I run my own yoga or wellness retreat at Stargate Forest?
Yes. Retreat leaders can hire the venue to host their own yoga, meditation, wellness or healing retreats.
Are there waterfalls at Stargate Forest?
Yes. A series of waterfalls sits in the native bush on the property. The track down is steep, so bring good shoes.
Is Stargate Forest near Te Araroa?
Yes. Smyth Bush Scenic Reserve, part of the Te Araroa trail, is a 10-minute walk from the house.
What is there to do near Stargate Forest?
On the property: bush walks, waterfalls, the spa pool and the fitness corner. Nearby: mountain biking in the surrounding forest, the Dome Forest walkway, and the towns of Warkworth, Matakana and Omaha.
Publishing notes for the website team
| SEO title | Bush Cabins Near Auckland | Stargate Forest Retreat NZ |
|---|---|
| Meta description | Two new forest cabins on 40 private acres of native bush, 50 min north of Auckland. Sleeps 17. Waterfalls, spa, Te Araroa access. Ideal for group retreats. |
| URL slug | /bush-cabins-near-auckland/ |
| Category | Accommodation (replace “Uncategorized”) |
| Primary keyword | cabins near Auckland |
| Secondary keywords | retreat venue north of Auckland, corporate retreat Auckland, group accommodation Warkworth, wellness retreat NZ, forest cabins New Zealand, yoga retreat venue Auckland |
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