Entire home

Rustic Retreat, handy location

Photo gallery for Rustic Retreat, handy location

Exterior
Exterior
Step back in time
Exterior
Chillin' couch

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Gore, Gore
  • Gore Racecourse
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Newman Park
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Hokonui Moonshine Museum
    ‪11 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Loft bedroom

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Rustic Retreat, handy location

Hawk Hut is built on the site of the original Homestead whose double chimney now serves as an outside fireplace and BBQ area. Surrounded by ancient farm buildings, orchard and plantings, the hut is built in a quiet clearing with ample space for parking, playing and pets. Close by is the famous fishing river Mataura, and the amenities of Gore including the Race course, A & P showgrounds and multi-sports complex. Dolamore Park's bush walks and picnic area are ten minutes away. Centrally located, we are an hours drive from Invercargill, the East coast and Central Otago.
Special conditions:
Loft sleeping area access by ladder ( not suitable for elderly or small children).
Pets allowed with prior approval.
Smoking outside only. Extra children stay free.

Extras: Cleaning (included); Linen (included)
Guided Day Trips (eg; Milford Sound, Southern Coast, The Catlins, Central Otago) available with optional fishing (enquires welcome)

Property manager

HeidiHe1

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

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

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Accompanied children stay free
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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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
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

About the area

Waimumu

Waimumu is home to this cottage. Eastern Southland Gallery and Hokonui Moonshine Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Brown Trout and Hokonui Pioneer village and Museum. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and horse riding nearby.
Map
Gore, Gore

What's nearby

  • Gore Racecourse - 7 min drive - 6.2 km
  • Newman Park - 10 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Gore Historical Museum - 11 min drive - 10.0 km
  • Hokonui Moonshine Museum - 11 min drive - 10.0 km
  • Eastern Southland Gallery - 11 min drive - 9.6 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Gore Town & Country Clubs - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Capri Restaurant - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Cafe Ambience - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Howl at the Moon - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rustic Retreat, handy location pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Rustic Retreat, handy location?

As of 11 May 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rustic Retreat, handy location on 12 May 2025 start from NZ$207.0, 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.

What time is check-in at Rustic Retreat, handy location?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rustic Retreat, handy location?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rustic Retreat, handy location located?

Situated in Waimumu, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Gore Racecourse, Newman Park and Brown Trout. Eastern Southland Gallery and Gore Historical Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 68 out of 83 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 83 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 83 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 83 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 83 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rob S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

retreat

Super friendly and helpful hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Michael P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Spot and Hosts

This unique cottage was easy to find with clear directions from the host.Communication with the hosts was excellent.The work/design and uniqueness of this cottage is one of its strengths. Great ideas and craftmanship has gone in to creating this place. Appointed as you would expect for a cottage. It was quiet. We only used the bed downstairs and that was comfortable.Eggs and milk provided by the host were well received.A great place to rest and recharge - pity we were only there overnight.We would recommend this cottage to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

RICKY a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Alabasters

Fantastic stayLovely little cottage
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Susan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, location

Compact interior/ spacious exterior

Adequate, basic facilities but inflated price for a tiny bedroom with no space for luggage. A noisy, heavy sliding door to bathroom from bedroom. Friendly hosts, rustic setting
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alzbeta B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little gem of a house

We loved our stay with Heidi, the house is beautiful and very comfortable and Heidi and her family were amazing hosts. We were able to feed horses and cook on an outdoor stove. Definitely coming back.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Sharon J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot

.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Leila P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great cozy little farm stay

Very clean and such a great little get away. Great that I was able to take my dog too.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aorewa T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Waimumu,South Island.

House was everything we required. Check-in was great. The house was open and warm on arrival. Heidi and Derrick were the most amazing hosts. He even went out of his way to talk and take husband for a ride. They even gave us some fresh eggs. Thankyou very much.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

James H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Travellers with pet

Property was as described. Quite relaxing.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Waimumu

Great location to experience the Catlins while visiting family
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nardia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

Peaceful little getaway. Loved the shower!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wayne K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

Calm and restful location, great amenities, and great hosts.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marty G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great quaint rustic cottage with everything, including vinyl records and player even!!

So quiet on the farm and only a short distance to town. Magic.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marianne M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little cottage in a beautiful setting

The location was ideal for where we needed to be while in Southland. Being outside the main centre of Invercargill and in a rural setting was great. No road noise, no light pollution, and very peaceful. Weather was good too. The property owners were very helpful and friendly too - including the dog :)
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Trevor S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Farm Stay

This is a nice cabin situated on a country property just a short distance out of Gore. Derek and Heidi live in the house nearby and were available on our arrival and during our stay. Both impressed us as very nice people who made us welcome. Derek even took us to his favorite (secret) fishing spot. We found the beds very comfortable and the unit had the usual pots, pans, cutlery, etc. It features 2 double beds; one downstairs and the other up a ladder in the loft. A small, outside BBQ is available for cooking together with a microwave inside. There is no stove or oven.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Drew N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rural getaway close to town

The Rustic retreat is a compact and ingeniously designed bach like residence. Heidi and Derek are friendly and helpful hosts and made sure we didn't want for anything. The setting is very peaceful with a north facing verandah surrounded by beautiful trees and an abundance of bird life flowers and bumble bees. Very relaxing stay and will miss a quiet beer in the early evenings enjoying the sunshine. Highly recommended particularly if you want to bring your dog with you.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jane M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect relaxing getaway

We couldn’t have wished for a more homely and comfortable little holiday home. Hosts lovely even when we arrived earlier than expected. Thank you Heidi and Derek. Much appreciated 😊
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tania F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing country living

I absolutely loved it. Amazing country feel and awesome hosts. Highly reccommend best shower ever.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Jane R.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We loved the location and the wee house. Very quiet and amazing views. The fridge was a pain...soo n

Great
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We booked on the spur of the moment having googled B and B’s ‘ with charm’. It was charming.

We liked the rustic nature of the building and the fact that it had been recycled from the old house. Brief, but enjoyable interactions with the hosts.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maynard N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love place, lovely people

A perfect get away, lovely private batch in the country, but with place like Gore and Invercargill nearby. The hosts were welcoming and helpful, the fact that we could bring our two dogs was fantastic, also lovely to meet Tink, the residents dog. All up a fantastic experience and would come back any time.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jackie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hawk Hut

Awesome wee place to stay, fantastic hosts, quirky place and really close to Gore and amenities. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jo R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome place, lovely hosts

This is a fantastic place to stay. I had a lot of questions beforehand and was a bit nervous travelling with trailer and dogs but Heidi answered all my questions patiently and the place is just amazing. Lots of outdoor space too! Can definitely recommend it to everyone !
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A restful four days

Lovely surroundings. Lots of trees and birds singing. Host and hostess very friendly and helpful. Beds comfortable, all welcoming. My one small niggle was that was no room to unpack and settle in, as floor space was very limited.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cushla S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing get away

We loved the eclectic feel of this place we enjoyed sitting our on the veranda glistening to the radio
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

About the host

Hosted by HeidiHe1

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

Hawk Hut is built on the site of the original homestead & incorporates some of it's native timber in its construction. It houses an eclectic collection of memorabilia & design detail from 'back in the day', & provides an opportunity to live the simple life in an old farm setting, while having the ammenities of a large town close by. The owner is the forth generation to caretake the property & built Hawk Hut to celebrate & share a slice of the farm's history while providing a peaceful getaway & traveler's rest.

What makes this property unique

Sheltered from the prevailing weather by ancient trees, Hawk Hut is built near the edge of an historic river terrace. Power points for camper vans, lined dog kennel, sheltered horse paddock, trough & loose boxes also available.

Languages:

English