Entire home
Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi
Photo gallery for Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi





Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms0+ bathroomsSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
1 half bathroom
Bathroom
Shower only
Separate toilet
Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi
Starfish is a perfect Kiwi bach on the beach, any time of year. Feel the sand under your toes and let the stress of daily life slip into the waves. Let go of deadlines and schedules as you adapt to the rhythms of the tides, relax your mind as the sounds of the sea lull you to sleep.
This traditional kiwi bach has been decorated with colour and love - highlighting local artists and artisans, creating a laid back holiday vibe. The comfortable lounge, with its cathedral ceiling, is just right for board games around the handmade macrocarpa coffee table, cosying up with a book on the upholstered rocker, or watching movies on the flatscreen TV.
The kitchen is small but very well equipped, perfect for a real holiday for the cook. Take your meals at the dinning table in the sunroom, looking out to sea watching the gannets dive, or outdoors on one of the two picnic tables. (The sun umbrellas may be in the garage). The Queen bedroom's romantic French doors open onto a covered deck, and you can sit up in bed and watch the sun come up, right out of the sea. The sunny bunk room has one set of bunks and one single bed, with feather duvets on all the beds, and lots of extra wool blankets and pillows in the closet.
At Starfish, enjoy lazy days sunning, swimming, and playing on the beach, and long walks along the tideline. Along the beach to the north you can see oyster catchers and godwits roosting on the sand during the summer months, and black swans grazing on sea grass when the tide is high. Peaceful Pakawau beach is on the northern side of Golden Bay, sheltered by the 35 km long arm of Farewell Spit.
When you want to go exploring, there's beaches, caves, cafes and artists' studios, all nearby. A contrast to gentle Pakawau Beach is nearby Wharariki Beach, with its wild west coast breakers rolling in, lots of caves, sand dunes and tidal pools of playing seal pups. Farewell Spit, by foot or safari, is a bird watchers dream, with over 90 species recorded there, and there's a cafe at its base with good binoculars and a display of the interesting history of nearby whale strandings. Take a walk through green sheep dotted paddocks, ancient macrocarpas and virgin coastal bush to Fossil point at the base of the Spit's 35 km long wide sandy beach.
Right in Pakawau, the camp shop is open again for icecreams, bait, and essentials, and the Schoolhouse Cafe is just across the road. Pop into Collingwood to the Courthouse Cafe for a delicious breakfast, or check out a live Gig with dinner and a house made brew at the Mussel Inn.
In winter, cozy up around the woodstove and enjoy our collection of board games and our wide selection of DVD's.
The huge old macrocarpas across the road block the famed Pakawau westerly wind beautifully: so Starfish and its beachfront are a pool of calm. (Thank you to the trees and the farmer who lets them remain).
For when you need to connect, we have unlimited WiFi and mostly good cell phone coverage. Play your own favorite tunes through the stereo, and relax!
LINEN - Bring your own linen
CLEANING: in Kiwi back tradition, please clean the Bach after your stay, and leave it as you found it.
This traditional kiwi bach has been decorated with colour and love - highlighting local artists and artisans, creating a laid back holiday vibe. The comfortable lounge, with its cathedral ceiling, is just right for board games around the handmade macrocarpa coffee table, cosying up with a book on the upholstered rocker, or watching movies on the flatscreen TV.
The kitchen is small but very well equipped, perfect for a real holiday for the cook. Take your meals at the dinning table in the sunroom, looking out to sea watching the gannets dive, or outdoors on one of the two picnic tables. (The sun umbrellas may be in the garage). The Queen bedroom's romantic French doors open onto a covered deck, and you can sit up in bed and watch the sun come up, right out of the sea. The sunny bunk room has one set of bunks and one single bed, with feather duvets on all the beds, and lots of extra wool blankets and pillows in the closet.
At Starfish, enjoy lazy days sunning, swimming, and playing on the beach, and long walks along the tideline. Along the beach to the north you can see oyster catchers and godwits roosting on the sand during the summer months, and black swans grazing on sea grass when the tide is high. Peaceful Pakawau beach is on the northern side of Golden Bay, sheltered by the 35 km long arm of Farewell Spit.
When you want to go exploring, there's beaches, caves, cafes and artists' studios, all nearby. A contrast to gentle Pakawau Beach is nearby Wharariki Beach, with its wild west coast breakers rolling in, lots of caves, sand dunes and tidal pools of playing seal pups. Farewell Spit, by foot or safari, is a bird watchers dream, with over 90 species recorded there, and there's a cafe at its base with good binoculars and a display of the interesting history of nearby whale strandings. Take a walk through green sheep dotted paddocks, ancient macrocarpas and virgin coastal bush to Fossil point at the base of the Spit's 35 km long wide sandy beach.
Right in Pakawau, the camp shop is open again for icecreams, bait, and essentials, and the Schoolhouse Cafe is just across the road. Pop into Collingwood to the Courthouse Cafe for a delicious breakfast, or check out a live Gig with dinner and a house made brew at the Mussel Inn.
In winter, cozy up around the woodstove and enjoy our collection of board games and our wide selection of DVD's.
The huge old macrocarpas across the road block the famed Pakawau westerly wind beautifully: so Starfish and its beachfront are a pool of calm. (Thank you to the trees and the farmer who lets them remain).
For when you need to connect, we have unlimited WiFi and mostly good cell phone coverage. Play your own favorite tunes through the stereo, and relax!
LINEN - Bring your own linen
CLEANING: in Kiwi back tradition, please clean the Bach after your stay, and leave it as you found it.
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9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (34 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Ideal for children
Events
No events allowed
No large gatherings please
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Outdoors only please.
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: No large gatherings please
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Pakawau
Located in Pakawau, this holiday home is on the beach. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Collingwood Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kahurangi National Park and Pakawau Beach. Surfing/body boarding and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and ecotours nearby.

Pakawau Beach, Pakawau
What's nearby
- Pakawau Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
- Cape Farewell - 29 min drive - 17.8 km
- Te Waikoropupu Springs - 33 min drive - 46.0 km
- Tata Beach - 43 min drive - 62.6 km
- Abel Tasman National Park - 53 min drive - 74.1 km
Restaurants
- The Courthouse Cafe - 9 min drive
- Collingwood Cafe - 9 min drive
- Old School Cafe & Bar - 4 min walk
- Farewell Spit Cafe - 20 min drive
- Rosy Glow Chocolate Shop - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
9.8/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
8 January 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Rob B.
29 January 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Holiday
Rob B.
Stayed 13 nights in Jan 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Philippa B.
8 November 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Long weekend away
Philippa B.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Helen M.
15 April 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Location
Helen M.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Marilyn L.
28 March 2019
Best bach ever
Marilyn L.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sabine F.
5 November 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sabine F.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Heather B.
1 December 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A moment in paradise
Heather B.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jennie C.
1 January 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tranquility at Starfish
Jennie C.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tony M.
25 November 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Starfish
Tony M.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Heather B.
23 July 2018
Superb location in beautiful Pakawau, right on the beach.
Heather B.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Richard M.
27 October 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace at the beach
Richard M.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Carina C.
1 October 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Carina C.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Richard M.
12 August 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A special place
Richard M.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Heather B.
29 August 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very enjoyable return to Starfish
Heather B.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Judy C.
15 June 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
Judy C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Marilyn L.
11 April 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful!
Marilyn L.
Stayed 59 nights in Feb 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Richard M.
8 June 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace and beauty
Richard M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Felix S.
22 April 2019
Awsome place
Felix S.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Marilyn L.
20 April 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quaint and perfect
Marilyn L.
Stayed 20 nights in Mar 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Rachel R.
24 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning location
Rachel R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Heather B.
10 April 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning Starfish
Heather B.
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mary C.
18 December 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxation is key
Mary C.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Christopher R.
4 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Traditional bach
Christopher R.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Judy C.
18 November 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wow what a perfect break
Judy C.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Juzer D.
19 January 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Golden Bay paradise
Juzer D.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022
About the host
Hosted by RobynTa4
I grew up at Kina, near Motueka, and attended Tasman school with lots of cousins. We had an apple orchard and ponies to ride on the beach - so idyllic! Though my extended family stayed in the district, I moved to Australia in my 20s, and met my American husband while kayaking down the Murumbidgee.
After living in the US for many years my three children and I returned for a year in NZ in 2002, so they could get to know their kiwi roots. We found Starfish that year, and have been thrilled to have it as our base in NZ ever since.
Our youngest daughter has now lived in NZ for 10 years and our son lives in Sydney. John and I are now transitioning to spending 6 months of each year at Starfish.
After living in the US for many years my three children and I returned for a year in NZ in 2002, so they could get to know their kiwi roots. We found Starfish that year, and have been thrilled to have it as our base in NZ ever since.
Our youngest daughter has now lived in NZ for 10 years and our son lives in Sydney. John and I are now transitioning to spending 6 months of each year at Starfish.
Why they chose this property
We are happy to share this beautiful piece of paradise with our guests. Many come back year after year and love it as much as we do!
As a young child I remember the excitement and delight at being included in my father and uncles white baiting trips to Anatori - further down the west coast from Pakawau. We would drive all the way from Tasman, sometimes staying for a few days in Paturau during the white bait season.
We would always drive through Pakawau to get there, so when we started to look for a place in Golden Bay in 2002 I was drawn to the west side of the bay, its beautiful calm beaches and proximity to the wildness of Whaririki and my much beloved Anatori. My husband and children and I camped at the Pakawau motor camp, Easter 2002. We did the Spit tour and fell in love with the remoteness and beauty of Pakawau.
As a young child I remember the excitement and delight at being included in my father and uncles white baiting trips to Anatori - further down the west coast from Pakawau. We would drive all the way from Tasman, sometimes staying for a few days in Paturau during the white bait season.
We would always drive through Pakawau to get there, so when we started to look for a place in Golden Bay in 2002 I was drawn to the west side of the bay, its beautiful calm beaches and proximity to the wildness of Whaririki and my much beloved Anatori. My husband and children and I camped at the Pakawau motor camp, Easter 2002. We did the Spit tour and fell in love with the remoteness and beauty of Pakawau.
What makes this property unique
The front gate leads right onto a lovely safe swimming beach, a perfect playground for families.
Languages:
English
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