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The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds

Photo gallery for The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds

A round wooden table with a placemat and a shell, a wicker chair, and a view of the ocean with boats and greenery through large windows.
A wooden deck leading to a scenic view of a coastline with rocky formations and greenery.
A compact kitchen with a built-in washing machine, a sink, and a small countertop.
A bedroom with a large bed, a smaller bed, a window with a view of the sea, and a chair.
A white house surrounded by lush greenery and hills.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
This vacation home accommodates 13 guests with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It offers easy access to fishing, swimming, hiking, and biking activities. Enjoy the outdoors on the patio, deck, or porch. The property is pet-friendly and located waterfront on the mountainside, near the ocean.

Highlights

  • Walkable and wonderful
    Guests love the walkable location for its easy access on foot.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 13

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bunk Room

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 Double Bed and 1 Child Bed

Sleepout

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds

Boat or water taxi only access to the island ensures your peace and privacy for those who wish to get away from it all. For your pleasure of arriving here, there will always be someone to meet and greet you as this is a working family farm, and the house will always be open to access on your arrival!

The Arapawa homestead, or Gunyah as it is also known, is the original house built in 1945 by Joe and Patty Perano as their retirement home. Refurbished in keeping wth the original 1940s character, the homestead is a fully equipped, private and cosy.

The front bedroom is furnished with an antique walnut bedroom suite that includes a double bed with feather duvet and a single bed for an extra guest. Warm and pleasant, this room offers dramatic views of Tory Channel and the West Head. Suitable for children and visiting friends, the second bedroom contains two sets of single bunks with duvets. This room features stunning ocean views. The sleep-out contains a queen size bed with a nearby shower - very handy first thing in the morning! The sleep-out also doubles as a laundry and is equipped with double concrete sinks, a washing machine and a clothes dryer.

The bathroom inside the house has a comfortable bath, from which you can admire an etched glass depiction of the Tory Channel entrance showing both an underwater scene and a view of whalers above the water. The bathroom has a separate toilet.

Gunyah has full amenities with all you need for a comfortable stay. The kitchen contains a number of modern appliances, including a microwave oven, fridge/freezer and bread maker, and the living area has a wood burner a TV, stereo and CD player.
Special conditions:
Tarrif | Gunyah - Arapawa Homestead Minimum stay 2 nights
Summer Season (November - April inclusive)
$300.00 per night up to 5 people | $22 per night each additional person
Off Season (May - October inclusive)
$245.00 per night for up to 5 people | $22 per night for each additional person
Off Season Special - Stay 6 nights and get a 7th night FREE.

Dinghy and mooring are included in Tariff. One nights payment confirms your booking. All prices include GST.

Extras: Cleaning (Optional, NZ$120.00 per stay); Linen (included);

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House Rules

Check in after 2:30 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Have a Highchair and Portacot
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Folk can pitch a tent as well for extra space.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Pets must be on a leash and have a travel cage.
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

Property # 20024343
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 13
Note from host: Folk can pitch a tent as well for extra space.
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

About the area

Map
Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton

Frequently asked questions

Is The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds?

As of 28 August 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds on 29 August 2026 start from NZ$592, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 20 miles (32 km) of Mabel Island, Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary and Picton Foreshore. Edwin Fox Museum and Picton Museum are also within 20 miles (32 km).

About the host

Hosted by AntoniaRa2

Host profile image
We have lived now here at Whekenui since 1993. We my husband and I are both divers and have a passion for the sea. We enjoy sharing our farm and what we do to others like yourself.
We are passionate about what we do and love to share with your our knowledge .

Why they chose this property

Gunyah has the most amazing outlook and is like a home away from home. The moment you arrive it's a feeling very hard to describe, you have a feeling of relaxation, peace and beauty.
Gunayh's views from the property allows you to see everything. A writers dream. Great of reconnecting with family, nature and history.
Totally worth the experience!

What makes this property unique

Whaling and WWII historical sights are very close by just short walks to view the Gunning Placement and the Whaling Station at the next bay south of Gunyah.

Languages:

English
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