Escarpment Domes

Some of the best ideas are born out of midlife crises. Case in point: when three Kiwi friends came together at a career crossroads, the end result was the fabulous Escarpment Domes, a superb glamping experience in one of Porirua’s most breathtaking corners.

Based in the picturesque Pukerua Bay, the Escarpment Domes aren’t just a set of accommodation units - they make up a communal enterprise whose kaupapa revolves around giving back to the land. Take your pick between the two single-level domes, sleeping up to three, or the centrepiece Gallery Dome, which boasts a mezzanine master bedroom and has room for the whole family. Each dome comes with its own bathroom and kitchen, plus an outdoor bath, and features artwork that celebrates the best of Aotearoa talent. The stunning floor-to-ceiling cutout of a kohekohe forest, designed by Anna Muirhead, takes centre stage in the Gallery Dome and embodies the creative local spirit championed by the Escarpment Domes.

Blending privacy with a sense of camaraderie, the fourth dome acts as a communal space where you can mingle with fellow stayers as much or as little as you please. Visitors to the domes are united not only by a spirit of adventure and love for nature, but also by the knowledge that the money they spend here is reinvested into native planting and pest control initiatives. Is there a more eco-friendly stay in the Wellington region?

Offering an exciting and sustainable take on what tourism should and can be about, the Escarpment Domes certainly stand out - and not just because of the spectacular views of Kāpiti Island, the South Island, and Mt Ruapehu that are offered. A stay at the Escarpment Domes is restorative, regenerative, and utterly relaxing.