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The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village

Photo gallery for The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village

The tunnel house in summer
View from the property at low tide
Kids playground and sleep out
Tiger Room
The iconic Boatshed cafe

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Rawene, Northland
  • Place, Rawene Domain
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Hokianga Harbour
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Rawene Community Library
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Airport, Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands)
    ‪62 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Master - Leaf Room

1 Queen Bed

Palm Room

1 Single Bed

Sleepout

1 Queen Bed

Tiger Room

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village

Known as the 'tunnel house' or the 'Rawene Hobbit House', this unconventional, quirky, iconic property sits nestled on a hill overlooking the Hokianga Harbour in Rawene.

If you want to truely escape the rat race, The Hokianga is the perfect place to relax, unwind and set your clock to Hokianga Time.
If you’re exploring the Twin Coast Discovery route, you can use Rawene ferry town to base yourself and discover the Hokianga and the Far North.
Opononi/Omapere beach with its breathtaking views great swimming, stunning walks and the famous Opononi sand dunes are less than a 15-minute drive away.
You could catch a boat from Opononi and go sand boarding down the dunes, perhaps do some fishing or if you fancy a wee drive you can find NZs largest Kauri Tree, Tane Mahuta and the Waipoua Kauri Forest less than a 40 minute drive away.
Pop over the ferry to discover historic Kohukohu and the untouched North Hokianga or simply spend some time lounging on the deck and reading a book - time has a way of standing still in the Hokianga.

When you arrive you will find a large deck with a BBQ and outdoor seating, a full kitchen, a full-size fridge, 3 bedrooms inside, a sleep-out just off the deck and a playground for the kids. From here you can wander to Rawene's mangrove walk situated at the bottom of the hill and it's a short 5 min stroll to Rawene village centre where you will find local cafes and shops.

Special Information

Guests can either save money and opt to bring their own linen or take advantage of our linen service for an additional cost of $10 per guest.
If guests opt to use the linen service their beds will be made up and bath towels provided. If guest choose to bring their own linen we ask that they bring both a top and bottom sheet for each bed they use and bath towels their stay.
Regardless of whether you opt for linen or not, all beds are furnished with an all season duvet and pillows.

The bed configuration is as follows:

Main House:
Master- queen bed
Tiger room - double bed and single bed
Palm room - single bed

Sleep-out off deck:
Queen bed



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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Strictly outside only, please dispose of butts!

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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Rawene

Located in Rawene, this holiday home is in a rural area and by the sea. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Rawene Domain and Hokianga Harbour, while Motuti Marae and Fern Flat Pottery are cultural highlights. With snorkelling, power boating and fishing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
View more Holiday homes in RaweneOpens in a new window
Map
Rawene, Northland

What's nearby

  • Rawene Domain - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Hokianga Harbour - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Rawene Community Library - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Opononi Beach - 17 min drive - 23.9 km
  • Ngawha Springs - 44 min drive - 62.6 km

Getting around

  • Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Boatshed Café - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Koke Pub and Cafe - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪A New Era Cafe - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Horeke Tavern - ‬45 min drive
  • ‪Te Patiki Cafe - ‬46 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village ?

As of 28 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village on 29 April 2026 start from NZ$180, 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 Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village ?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village ?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Rawene Domain and Hokianga Harbour. Rawene Community Library and Hokianga Art Gallery are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 28 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anders F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time in Rawene. It's a nice place in a beautiful little township. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica T.

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

Great place to stay in Rawene

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Tunnel House - cosy, plenty of room to spread out and a fabulous kitchen. We are happy to recommend and look forward to returning.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kahu V.

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

Whanau stay

Great place to stay.warm cosy and exceptionally clean, children especially loved the playground. Communications were quick and easy.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Denise F.

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

Beautiful Stay

Great house and location. Great sitting out on the deck.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia P.

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

Nice view of hokianga Moana at this peaceful bach in rawene

Peaceful and quiet loved it here
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stan C.

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

Absolutely finesse!

From beginning to end the stay was seamless! Thank you Tima for the wonderful stay!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joanne C.

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

A unique and private holiday home

Perfectly happy with our stay, everything is well appointed and communication with Tima was easy, and responses quick and helpful. Would recommend this holiday home to anyone.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Teresa R.

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

Tunnel house

Amazing views, cosy house
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katharina B.

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

Peaceful retreat

The Tunnel House was cozy, clean, and well-maintained. The location was perfect for relaxation and exploration. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and would highly recommend it to others looking for a peaceful getaway.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah R.

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

Fun quirky bach

A great place to stay to get away from it all. Very relaxing, and the tunnel house had everything we needed. Great communication from the owner.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tamie Maree R.

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

Comfortable with a quirky twist

This property was comfortable, there was great communication from the owner. The style or property was great to stay in to understand the construction. Was a great place to see out our last few days in NZ.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dee H.

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

Awesome Accomodation

Tima your place is just beautiful! We loved it and wished we could have stayed there longer. Your communication was amazing too. This fabulous property is amazingly presented and very clean… ❤️
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine B.

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

Fantastic location, great views and a very unique place

We had a wonderful stay at this house. The beds were comfortable, kitchen was well equipped. Views were beautiful out across the Hokianga harbour. Walking distance to the shops and cafes of Rawene and also the Mangrove walkway. Rawene is a little gem of a place, full of history and you can catch a ferry to the other side of the harbour. I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Valerie M.

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

Family Friendly

The Tunnel house is very family-friendly, our young kids loved the play area, the fruit trees and the quirkiness of the house. It has a beautiful view and stunning sunrises. The property manager gave excellent service and offered all the amenities we needed. We were thrilled with our stay and would definitely recommend to other families.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

NM M.

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

The tunnel house

I was impressed with this beautiful home, the views are immaculate and the style of the home is quite fun. My family and I enjoyed our stay and we are very grateful. Big thanks to tima, communication was bang on! Had no stress or worries checking in, used the bbq for our dinners was nice to sit on outside seating area. Would definitely recommend
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alison S.

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

A great stay

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Tunnel House. It is a comfortable and spacious place, with great views from the deck and it is clear a lot of thought has been put into furnishing the house. The kitchen is very well equipped and the lounge area is great for chilling out. Tima was a delight to communicate with. We would love to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Catherine M.

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

A slice of paradise

The tunnel house is great, we were really impressed by the quality of the kitchen and bathroom. It was very hot when we stayed but were able to cool the place down with the air con. The play equipment was great for our young kids and the grounds were beautiful, it felt like we were in Bali. Rawene itself is a great spot, we would love to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley J.

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

Perfect spot

This accommodation was very comfortable, it's very tidy and was perfect for our family group of 6. The spa bath was a bonus! Gorgeous views, comfortable beds, amazing kitchen, and was a warm and cosy with all the amenities you could want or need. Location was great to explore the beautiful North. Thank you so much Tima. We loved it and had the best time!! We look forward to returning on our next Northland holiday.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Reno T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house had everything we needed extra linen towels blankets and was well organised. My only issue was the smell in our room the master room which smelt like old storage. The tuis were magnificent and the area was clowe to Ngawha hotsprings for a relaxing soak and reset and kaikohe for extra shopping and essentials. Nothing but the smell in our room was wrong with this. I will visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kerry H.

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

Tunnel house in Rawene

Very quiet. private and different to the normal box style accommodation usually available. More than acceptable.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M.

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

Lovely little getaway

We had a great time at this bach. House is equipped with everything that you need. Situated in the lovely quiet village of Rawene, great place to unwind. Great quirky House. The playground is a bit dated but the kids still had a fun time. Lovely trees around the property. Highly rated.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ciaran T.

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

Beautiful location

Rawene is an amazing place. Probably the place that surprised me the most on a trip around New Zealand. It has a magical quality to it and is like taking a step back in time and a slower pace of life. The tunnel house is unusual and adds to the experience of staying in Rawene. The view is beautiful and so peaceful. The owner could not have been nicer or more considerate as our plans had to change due to the weather. I would highly recommend a stay here.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine Y.

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

Amazing Break

Tima’s house is perfect - central, excellent air con (important in summer) full kitchen and comfy beds. Tima was just a text away and was very responsive with questions. We will be back! Loved having access to streaming tv channels and solid WiFi too. Dream getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracey B.

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

Cute & cosy

My family loved our stay!!! my older kids enjoyed playing scrabble theres so many other games for all ages.my youngest 5 year old loved the spa bath.😀🥰 tina the owner was lovely and easy to deal with . Shop is a 2 min walk .. but i don't recommend the fish and chip shop the food was well over priced and well below average ..
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark A S.

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

Peaceful retreat in quiet town of Rawene

The Tunnel House is nestled on the hillside with beautiful views of the harbour and a short walk to local shops & cafes. We used it as our base to explore Northland- and it was great! A superb host who was very easy to communicate with - we would definitely recommend and book again!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2022

About the host

Hosted by Tima Cassidy

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Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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