Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms0+ bathroomsSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Spa pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Explore the area
Pakawau Beach, Pakawau
Pakawau Beach
Place, Pakawau Beach
3 min walk
Tata Beach
Place, Tata Beach
43 min drive
Abel Tasman National Park
Place, Abel Tasman National Park
53 min drive
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.
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Quiet Pakawau beachfront bach - beautiful views of Golden Bay and Farewell Spit.
Pakawau
Quiet Pakawau beachfront bach - beautiful views of Golden Bay and Farewell Spit.
Please treat our holidya home as you would your own.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 20041237
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 mountain biking and cycling nearby.
Abel Tasman National Park - 53 min drive - 74.1 km
Restaurants
The Courthouse Cafe - 9 min drive
Farewell Spit Cafe - 20 min drive
Lady luck Cafe - 10 min drive
Rosy Glow Chocolate Shop - 10 min drive
Tickled Pink - 5 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi?
As of 9 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi on 18 November 2026 start from NZ$270, 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 Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Starfish - special beach front retreat with wifi located?
Nestled on the beach, this Pakawau holiday home is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Pakawau Beach and 2 mi (3.3 km) from Kahurangi National Park. Farewell Spit and Golden Bay are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a lovely stay at Starfish. It was wonderful to be able to sit and watch the changing sea from storm to calm. Classic Kiwi bach, Robyn was really responsive both before and during our stay, keen to come back!
Anna S.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 January 2026
I’m very glad the sun came out for you and you got to see Pakawau in all weathers.
Thank you for leaving the bach so beautifully clean and tidy. You are very welcome to come back anytime.
Starfish is a beach front bach in beautiful Pakawau, very tranquil and private with a beautiful clean beach. The property is very well maintained and comfortable. We loved our stay, thank you Robyn.
Jennie C.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 January 2025
You are welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed your stay and our lovely beach. Happy New Year!
The Starfish bach is a unique lovingly furnished bach with a lot of atmosphere. A stone throw away from Pakawau beach and equipped with everything one needs to enjoy a few days home away from home, incl. kitchen facilities, books and board games. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this quirky bach and hope to be back soon.
Sabine F.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 November 2025
Thank you for your review. I'm so glad you enjoyed your time at Starfish. Please come back anytime. Robyn
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Heather B.
23 July 2018
Superb location in beautiful Pakawau, right on the beach.
Superb location in beautiful Pakawau, right on the beach. The bach is very comfortable, clean with lovely touches and different spaces for relaxing indoors and out. Our second stay, many more to come I hope!
Heather B.
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
We are so happy to share Starfish with you and your family. Glad you love it like we do!
This is an outstanding house, well equipped, beautifully looked after and set in a tranquil garden. We will definitely want to return to this beachfront gem
Richard M.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
So glad you had everything you needed, and enjoyed your stay. You are welcome to come back anytime. Sorry my response to your lovely review is so very tardy!!
Lovely beach view, right next to the water. We really enjoyed having a cozy warm fire in the evenings. Family friendly, though not completely fenced for little ones. Overall was a great holiday and we were lucky to have had beautiful weather! Thank you, would definitely come back.
Carina C.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 October 2025
I'm very glad you enjoyed your time at Starfish.
We have been doing a lot of invasive plant removal, so have dug out a lot of agapanthus from the sanddunes in the front, which has opened us up to the beach more, but hopefully all the new dune plantings will grow up quickly and make a barrier to keep small children from venturing out of the garden.
Please come back for another holiday anytime.
Robyn
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Felix S.
22 April 2019
Awsome place
The house is a very nicely furnished and decorated place direct at the beach. Sunrise above the sea wakes you in the morning and the wood stove warms in the evening. We loved it!
Felix S.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
Thank you for reviewing Starfish. I am so pleased you enjoyed your stay. Do come again.
Our second stay @ Starfish. The perfect, classic Kiwi bach.
Beautifully decorated, comfortable. Appreciated the woodstove on our few cool mornings/evenings. Great beach.
Marilyn L.
Stayed 20 nights in Mar 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 15 May 2020
So glad to have you back. Loved all your driftwood beach sculpture.
We loved staying at this old fashioned, quirky kiwi bach. The host was easy to contact and sorted out any issues promptly. The location right on the beach was magic. My 89 year old dad stayed with us and he was very comfortable.
Definitely recommend!
Rachel R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 January 2024
Thanks for staying at our beachfront retreat from the world. Our motto for Starfish is “relaxing and a little bit zany”. Please come again!
Absolutely loved our stay there. Big wide deck with beach views, sheltered from the westerlies. Very, very clean with a comfortable home-like feeling. I could really relax. I highly recommend.
Mary C.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 19 December 2024
So very happy you enjoyed your stay at Starfish, and found our little house clean and welcoming. We are so lucky to be sheltered from Pakawau’s stiff westerlies.
Glad you got to really relax. Please do come again.
Lovely place and location. Basic kitchen in keeping with the style of the place but fine if you organised. Fantastic access to the beach and very nice for swimming.
Christopher R.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 January 2024
Thanks for coming to Starfish. Glad you enjoyed our lovely spot right on the beach.
Our tiny kitchen does require some organization skills, especially being microwave free, but hopefully you found it well equipped with everything else you might need.
Please come again,
Robyn
Starfish is a beautiful bach, located a stone's throw from the beach. All amenities were available that we required. A wonderful trip all round. Thanks Robyn.
Juzer D.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 January 2022
Glad you enjoyed your time at Starfish, and you are very welcome.
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.
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.
What makes this property unique
The front gate leads right onto a lovely safe swimming beach, a perfect playground for families.