Entire home
Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage
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Reviews
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms 1 bathroom Sleeps 5 50 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Purakanui Inlet, Dunedin City
- University of Otago27 min drive
- The Octagon27 min drive
- Larnach Castle54 min drive
- Dunedin (DUD-Dunedin Intl.)55 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)
Main house
1 Double Bed and 1 Double Futon
Merry Wives of Windsor Cottage
1 Double Bed
Midsummer Nights Dream
1 Child Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage
Restored 140 yr old cottage on the very edge of the sheltered Purakaunui inlet, just a scenic 25 min drive from Dunedin, New Zealand. Is a cluster of four buildings, one a cottage originally built by a local fisherman, another a whare Māori style room built of boat building kauri and another a railworkers cottage with a curved roof.
Although still faithful to it's historic roots, there are the home comforts of a full modern kitchen and bathroom. The rooms are tastefully decorated, cleaned and maintained to a high standard. There is electric heating in every room as well as a coal range. Electric blankets are on the beds except for the trundler in main house.
As featured in Life and Leisure Magazine, Jan, 2009. The cluster of four little buidings known as "As You Like It" since the 1930's, is a 100 metre walk down a path along the waters edge.
You can just sit on the deck and watch the fish just a metre away, or watch the sunset over the water, dig for cockles, fish off the deck or the rocks, walk along the ocean beach or row or canoe around the inlet. It's a great bird watchers spot- shags ,tuis, fantails, bellbirds, oystercatchers, woodpigeons, whitefaced herons, kingfishers, etc. A Dinghy or kayaks are available onsite. The white sandy beach can be accessed at low tide by walking across ankle deep water, or by canoe. At full tide the bay is full of water and great for a kayak around the bay.
Outings can include a visit the historic pa site, Motutapu and it's secluded beach, or the Orokanui Sanctuary, 5 min drive away. The new Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium is only 20 min drive away, access and parking is easy because you can avoid the crowds coming from the city side.
It is also a great base to visit Dunedin's attractions , Port Chalmers is a 10 min drive away, with designer clothes and jewelry shops as well as coffee bars and restaurants. Eating out options include the Carey's Bay Hotel overlooking the fishing village beside Port Chalmers, the Galley cafe or Portside Tavern which has specialty beers on tap. Fleur's Seafood restaurant at Moeraki is 50 min drive north. The unspoilt coastal settlements of Seacliff and Karitane are a short senic drive away.
There are many walks around the township and the boatsheds, along Purakaunui beach, around the inlet or to Longbeach.
Note:unsuitable for the mobility challenged.
Special conditions:
Two night minimum
Note that each bedroom-and the bathroom -are in separate cottages. The single bed in the main house is a trundler stored under the double bed. The buildings are clustered together and there are only a couple of steps between each cottage. Security lights light the way.
Please discuss bringing pets with us. A laundromat is at Port Chalmers if you need any clothes washed.
Check-in time after 3 pm check out by 11 a.m.
Extras: Linen (included); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean the house and do the dishes before you leave.
Although still faithful to it's historic roots, there are the home comforts of a full modern kitchen and bathroom. The rooms are tastefully decorated, cleaned and maintained to a high standard. There is electric heating in every room as well as a coal range. Electric blankets are on the beds except for the trundler in main house.
As featured in Life and Leisure Magazine, Jan, 2009. The cluster of four little buidings known as "As You Like It" since the 1930's, is a 100 metre walk down a path along the waters edge.
You can just sit on the deck and watch the fish just a metre away, or watch the sunset over the water, dig for cockles, fish off the deck or the rocks, walk along the ocean beach or row or canoe around the inlet. It's a great bird watchers spot- shags ,tuis, fantails, bellbirds, oystercatchers, woodpigeons, whitefaced herons, kingfishers, etc. A Dinghy or kayaks are available onsite. The white sandy beach can be accessed at low tide by walking across ankle deep water, or by canoe. At full tide the bay is full of water and great for a kayak around the bay.
Outings can include a visit the historic pa site, Motutapu and it's secluded beach, or the Orokanui Sanctuary, 5 min drive away. The new Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium is only 20 min drive away, access and parking is easy because you can avoid the crowds coming from the city side.
It is also a great base to visit Dunedin's attractions , Port Chalmers is a 10 min drive away, with designer clothes and jewelry shops as well as coffee bars and restaurants. Eating out options include the Carey's Bay Hotel overlooking the fishing village beside Port Chalmers, the Galley cafe or Portside Tavern which has specialty beers on tap. Fleur's Seafood restaurant at Moeraki is 50 min drive north. The unspoilt coastal settlements of Seacliff and Karitane are a short senic drive away.
There are many walks around the township and the boatsheds, along Purakaunui beach, around the inlet or to Longbeach.
Note:unsuitable for the mobility challenged.
Special conditions:
Two night minimum
Note that each bedroom-and the bathroom -are in separate cottages. The single bed in the main house is a trundler stored under the double bed. The buildings are clustered together and there are only a couple of steps between each cottage. Security lights light the way.
Please discuss bringing pets with us. A laundromat is at Port Chalmers if you need any clothes washed.
Check-in time after 3 pm check out by 11 a.m.
Extras: Linen (included); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean the house and do the dishes before you leave.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Laundry
Outdoor space
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Please discuss with me first
Pets
Pets allowed
Please discuss with me first.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Please discuss with me first
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Purakaunui
Located in Purakaunui, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the beach. Speight's Brewery and Otago Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Dunedin Botanic Garden and Dunedin Railways. New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and Dunedin Chinese Garden are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking.

Purakanui Inlet, Dunedin City
What's nearby
- Purakaunui Inlet - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
- Long Beach - 6 min drive - 2.9 km
- University of Otago - 27 min drive - 23.8 km
- The Octagon - 27 min drive - 24.2 km
- Larnach Castle - 54 min drive - 41.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Carey's Bay Historic Hotel - 16 min drive
- Mount Cargill - 37 min drive
- The Portsider - 15 min drive
- The Galley Cafe & Bar - 15 min drive
- Royal Albatross Café - 58 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by barblm764

My grandfather first brought a house in Purakaunui in the 1920’s and it has been a family favourite ever since. I was brought up in Dunedin, taught at a local high school, went back to University as a young mum and trained as a clinical psychologist in the 80’s. Buying As You Like It was a childhood dream and we spent many years bringing it up to modern living standard and restoring its original features. After 20 yrs as a psychologist, I brought a country hotel in Naseby, Central Otago as a complete change. The goal was to restore the 1863 building as I had As You Like It. Now life is a bit more peaceful, living at Purakaunui and enjoying seeing people enjoy Purakaunui as I do.
Why they chose this property
It is so unique.. a modest, charming and likeable house close to the water. So close it feels like living in a boat.. but not getting sea sick. As a child I always wanted this place... so intimately close to the sea and so easy to get back home to get warm and dry after a days adventures in the sand and sea. The only traffic is by boat or walking which makes for such a peaceful place, yet not isolated. I love the sense of history, getting a feel for how people lived a hundred years ago, but still enjoying some modern comforts.
What makes this property unique
Historic and unique to be so surrounded by the sea.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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