Entire home
Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge.
Photo gallery for Park-like grounds, stunning sea views & private trail to the water's edge.





Reviews
8.0 out of 10
Very good
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Opua/Karetu
- Bay of Islands Marina29 min drive
- Paihia Wharf33 min drive
- Paihia Beach37 min drive
- Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands)52 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Living Room 1
1 Double Sofa Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Spaces
About this property
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.
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.
Property manager
LeeB5169
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Amenities
Washer
Pet-friendly
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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 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.
Opua/Karetu
What's nearby
- Bay of Islands Marina - 29 min drive - 21.6 km
- Paihia Wharf - 33 min drive - 25.7 km
- Paihia Beach - 37 min drive - 25.2 km
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds - 37 min drive - 28.3 km
- Russell Beach - 54 min drive - 30.8 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Cbk Craft Beer and Kitchen - 33 min drive
- Marina Cafe Opua - 29 min drive
- Hone's Garden - 48 min drive
- Paihia Wharf - 33 min drive
- Charlotte’s Kitchen - 33 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
8.0
Very good
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
9.6/10
Check-in
9.6/10
Communication
8.0/10
Location
7.6/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
22 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
6/10 Okay
Steve
10 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Lovely once you get there
Steve
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
8/10 Good
harnisH J.
24 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Scenic serenity
harnisH J.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
8/10 Good
David P.
15 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Feedback
David P.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
About the host
Hosted by LeeB5169

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