Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge.
Welcome to “The Cottage” in beautiful Bay of Islands.
Park-like grounds, gardens, native & tropical bushwalks. Stunning sea views with your own direct, private bushwalk to the water's edge. Perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway.
All environmentally-friendly bio products, soaps etc supplied.
Small dog-friendly & dog-sitting available.
2.5h from Auckland, 30 mins drive to Opua, or paddle by kayak to a cafe from the property’s shorefront/water access.
Ultimate serenity and privacy, yet close to the hustle of Paihia.
The Cottage is on our 5-acre lifestyle block, on a headland overlooking Opua and its marina, and wide-open views of the harbour and bush-clad rolling hills.
The views are stunning – close sea and acres of bush both nearby and on the neighbouring property, which ensures your privacy.
The entire property is serene, private and secure. Access is via a gated entrance and tree-lined forest driveway that serves a small number of lifestyle properties.
Accommodation is a simple, open-plan 45m2 space. It’s clean, tidy, private, relaxing, comfortable. It’s sheltered, yet has expansive water views, and you are surrounded by nature.
The Cottage is a converted Skyline garage, and was the main home of the original landowner for many years while they built the property’s main home. It is fully insulated, with a high-stud giving that feeling of spaciousness, and comes well equipped.
A separate bathroom with toilet, shower and basin is provided, plus washing machine. Water is via tank, and hot water is instant and ‘endless’ with gas on-demand heating.
A mooring, visible from the property, is available for trailer boats up to 7m for a small extra fee. Contact owner for more information.
Dog-sitting also available on request for those days or evenings when your furry friend can't accompany you. Personalised care in our home (on the property).
The Cottage is entirely yours, and you are free to roam the 5-acres, including the track to the waterfront - which faces the magnificent sunsets.
Perfect for picnics or lounge on the waterfront’s expansive (& sunny!) grass shore. A nice spot for an early evening pre-dinner wine or two.
The Cottage ideally suits a couple for that perfect relaxing weekend getaway. A fold-down double sofa acts as overflow for 1-2 kids if needed.
We are small/med dog-friendly (Rodney is the name of our super-friendly pooch), though with the local bird-life, plus the ease at which a dog could get lost in the expansive bush, for your own sake (and the local Kiwi), your dog is your responsibility and it should be kept on a lead when outdoors.
The owners live on-site in the main house, which is over 50 metres away from The Cottage.
Other things to note - Two adult single kayaks are included, with lifejackets & paddles of course, which you can launch from the shorefront two hours either side of high tide, or from the jetty (which doubles as a great fishing platform).
Note that access to the shorefront is not suitable for cars.
By road, only 20 mins to Kawakawa, 30 mins to Opua (and to the car ferry that will take you to visit historic and beautiful Russell) and 40 mins to Paihia. However Opua Marina (and it’s cafés and general store) is only 10 mins by kayak directly from the property’s shorefront/water access. In fact, there’s nothing quite like kayaking over to Opua for lunch or dinner at the Marina Café, kayaking back in the evening sunset across the (almost always) calm inlet.
If time & tide allow, the owner will “water taxi” you to/from Opua via dinghy for a nominal cost, so you don’t have to worry about those few drinks!
No wifi, but a good 4G signal is available.
The best thing about this property and location is that you have ultimate serenity and privacy, yet you are within 40 mins to the hustle of Paihia and all that offers – including beaches (it’s the Bay of Islands!) and many world-class tourist attractions – parasailing, jet boat tours, hole in the rock, fishing, jet ski tours, sailing, diving, cycling, scenic helicopter flights, many restaurants, cafes and bars, not to mention historic Russell and Waitangi.
We hope you will enjoy “The Cottage” and staying at the property as much as we do.
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Property # 9989620
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 indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Karetu
Karetu is home to this cottage. Hundertwasser Public Toilets and Russell Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Bay Of Islands Vintage Railway and Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Makana Chocolate Boutique and Action World are also worth visiting.
Hundertwasser Public Toilets - 28 min drive - 18.5 km
Bay Of Islands Vintage Railway - 28 min drive - 18.9 km
Bay of Islands Marina - 32 min drive - 24.7 km
Paihia Beach - 36 min drive - 29.0 km
Paihia Wharf - 37 min drive - 29.4 km
Getting around
Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands) - 52 min drive
Restaurants
CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen - 34 min drive
Charlotte's Kitchen - 33 min drive
Orange Frog - 34 min drive
Breeze Cafe - 35 min drive
Seaside - 48 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge. pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge.?
As of 11 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge. on 19 May 2026 start from NZ$238, 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 Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge.?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge. located?
Situated in Karetu, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Bay of Islands and within 12 miles (20 km) of Hundertwasser Public Toilets and Bay Of Islands Vintage Railway. Kawiti Caves and Bay of Islands Marina are also within 16 miles (25 km).
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Awesome guests who were very welcoming and then left us to it. Neat wee quiet spot and a great place to relax after a day spent exploring the area. The sofa bed was perfect for our two young boys and it was fun all being in the same room. Little kitchenette but an electeic hob cooker available to use so no issues cooking. Great stay!
Beautiful setting and perfect as a base for day trips
Lovely self contained accommodation in a beautiful setting overlooking the river, surrounded by trees.Great for a day trip, but less suitable if you’re popping to and from town as it’s roughly a 30 min drive each way. The owners were friendly and accommodating, and they also offer dog sitting.
Jade D.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 June 2025
Thanks, Jade. Was great having you and family stay. Perfect guests, communicative and friendly - and lovely dog as well :-) Welcome back anytime. Thanks for the fish! Went down a treat.
Amazing stay at Amanda and Lee’s place! The location is unbeatable - the views are truly worth the drive on that metal road they mentioned. Everything we needed was provided, making our family staycation with an 8 and 12-year-old perfect. Highly recommend!"
It was a last minute booking before we flew back to UK. What a find, super accommodation with all you need. A taste of the good life at the end of the road.
We were staying when the tropical weather system came through and the weather was appalling. In saying that, we were sheltered from the worst of it so were still able to get out and fish off the jetty as well as take in the amazing scenery on the numerous walks around the property. The accommodation is a perfect base for outdoor activities. Amanda and Lee gave us the rundown when we arrived which set us up nicely for the time we were there. The accommodation has everything you need, was clean, tidy and warm. If you want to go off grid but still feel close to everything then definitely stay here. Thanks for a great getaway
The place was in a great part of nz but was not suitable for our family, mum dad and 15 & 17 yo.
Quite a long way to drive to Russel, but if you just wanted to hang out in a quiet place it would be nice.
David P.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified
6/10 Okay
Steve
10 February 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Lovely once you get there
Amanda and Lee are very good hosts. The facility was very clean and tidy. The queen bed was comfortable enough with a foam mattress.The road access was a about an 8 kilometre loose metal, steep, winding rutted road that we weren’t made aware of until it was too late to change our booking although Lee did offer late cancellation. Be good to have known about the road on the website listing so as not such a unfortunate surprise
Steve
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 February 2025
Owing to a glitch in the automatic bookabach setting this was an automated approval. Since fixing that VRBO setting, every booking request is told about the road condition (which is overdue for a grading by the council - you missed it by a week, unfortunately) as some rural NZ roads aren't managed well by some drivers. Apologies for not informing you in advance, which was repeated immediately upon arrival (our oversight). I'm just happy we were on site during your stay to ensure we were able to accommodate your requests for fresh towels per shower and a bottle of filtered water each day. It would have been awkward had we planned to be away.