Entire home

Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage

Photo gallery for Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage

Lazing in the sun
Living Dining area
Kitchen area
Bathroom
Midsummer Nights Dream

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5538.2 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendlyPet friendly
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Fireplace
    FireplaceFireplace
  • Mountain view
    Mountain viewMountain view

Explore the area

Map
Purakanui Inlet, Dunedin City
  • Popular LocationPurakaunui Inlet1 min walk
  • Popular LocationUniversity of Otago26 min drive
  • Popular LocationLarnach Castle49 min drive
  • AirportDunedin (DUD-Dunedin Intl.)71 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Main house

1 Double Bed and 1 Double Futon

Merry Wives of Windsor Cottage

1 Double Bed

Midsummer Nights Dream

1 Child Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property

Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage

Restored 140 yr old cottage on the very edge of the sheltered Purakaunui inlet, just a scenic 25 min drive from Dunedin, New Zealand. Is a cluster of four buildings, one a cottage originally built by a local fisherman, another a whare Māori style room built of boat building kauri and another a railworkers cottage with a curved roof.

Although still faithful to it's historic roots, there are the home comforts of a full modern kitchen and bathroom. The rooms are tastefully decorated, cleaned and maintained to a high standard. There is electric heating in every room as well as a coal range. Electric blankets are on the beds except for the trundler in main house.

As featured in Life and Leisure Magazine, Jan, 2009. The cluster of four little buidings known as "As You Like It" since the 1930's, is a 100 metre walk down a path along the waters edge.

You can just sit on the deck and watch the fish just a metre away, or watch the sunset over the water, dig for cockles, fish off the deck or the rocks, walk along the ocean beach or row or canoe around the inlet. It's a great bird watchers spot- shags ,tuis, fantails, bellbirds, oystercatchers, woodpigeons, whitefaced herons, kingfishers, etc. A Dinghy or kayaks are available onsite. The white sandy beach can be accessed at low tide by walking across ankle deep water, or by canoe. At full tide the bay is full of water and great for a kayak around the bay.

Outings can include a visit the historic pa site, Motutapu and it's secluded beach, or the Orokanui Sanctuary, 5 min drive away. The new Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium is only 20 min drive away, access and parking is easy because you can avoid the crowds coming from the city side.

It is also a great base to visit Dunedin's attractions , Port Chalmers is a 10 min drive away, with designer clothes and jewelry shops as well as coffee bars and restaurants. Eating out options include the Carey's Bay Hotel overlooking the fishing village beside Port Chalmers, the Galley cafe or Portside Tavern which has specialty beers on tap. Fleur's Seafood restaurant at Moeraki is 50 min drive north. The unspoilt coastal settlements of Seacliff and Karitane are a short senic drive away.

There are many walks around the township and the boatsheds, along Purakaunui beach, around the inlet or to Longbeach.

Note:unsuitable for the mobility challenged.
Special conditions:
Two night minimum
Note that each bedroom-and the bathroom -are in separate cottages. The single bed in the main house is a trundler stored under the double bed. The buildings are clustered together and there are only a couple of steps between each cottage. Security lights light the way.
Please discuss bringing pets with us. A laundromat is at Port Chalmers if you need any clothes washed.

Check-in time after 3 pm check out by 11 a.m.

Extras: Linen (included); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean the house and do the dishes before you leave.

Property manager

barblm764
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet friendly
Barbecue grill
Mountain view
Fireplace

House Rules

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

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed
Please discuss with me first

Pets

Pets allowed
Please discuss with me first.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Please discuss with me first
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Purakaunui

Located in Purakaunui, this vacation home is in the city center and on the beach. Speight's Brewery and Bush Creek Trail are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Dunedin Botanic Garden and Dunedin Railways. New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and Dunedin Chinese Garden are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkeling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling.
Map
Purakanui Inlet, Dunedin City

What's nearby

  • Purakaunui Inlet - 1 min walk
  • University of Otago - 26 min drive
  • The Octagon - 28 min drive
  • Larnach Castle - 49 min drive
  • Royal Albatross Centre - 58 min drive

Getting around

  • Dunedin Railway Station - 27 min drive
  • Dunedin (DUD-Dunedin Intl.) - 71 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Portsider - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Carey's Bay Historic Hotel - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Mount Cargill - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪The Port Royale Cafe - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Horopito Cafe - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage located?

Located in the heart of Purakaunui, this vacation home is steps from Purakaunui Inlet and 1.8 mi (3 km) from Long Beach. Orokonui Ecosanctuary and Holy Trinity Church are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 355 out of 389 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 30 out of 389 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 389 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 389 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 389 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jenny

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceptional view, right on the water. Historic Cottage, respectfully brought up to date with amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
Always love staying here.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
relax
This is the most wonderful, relaxing place - sit on the porch and watch the tide go in and out, the birds, maybe a seal. If you need to leave the porch, go for a walk or kayak. But, just unplug and enjoy (though wifi is good if really can't unplug). Absolutely love this place - we'll be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wendy R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a rare gem!
Staying in a 140 year old charmer was such a nice surprise on our NZ adventure. Quirky and wonderful. The location is also one of a kind- went clamming and had a blast!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Addrianne L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful spot
Met expectations
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Never fails to exceed my expectation regards of the weather .
Never fails to exceed my expectation regards of the weather . Beautiful , serene
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cant beat fishing for lunch of the outside deck.
Cant beat fishing for lunch of the outside deck.Sunday night was a bit of a challenge as the incomming tide plus a strong southerly put quite a chop on the water just outside our bedroom window.Felt that you were at sea.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

see above - just cut & copy!
see above - just cut & copy!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
no details provided

10/10 Excellent

Marie-Christine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Simply heavenly!
This is a truly magical and very unique place: a beautifully restored, quirky collection of tiny cottages (main house plus main bedroom, toilet, tiny single bedroom and double bedroom all in separate dwellings), set right at the waters of the most heavenly inlet. It's so serene and beautiful, it took our breath away! We loved simply being in the place and spent much of our time there doing just that - but we also had fun kayaking the short distance to the totally secluded and unspoilt beach at the end of the inlet (where we spotted blue penguins on the rocks), as well as doing some longer excursions to see albatrosses fly at the Otago peninsula (awe-inspiring!) and to the beautiful, nearby Orokonui eco sanctuary, We spent six nights in As You Like it and really did not want to leave. Such a special place - we dearly hope we'll be back one day!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful, private location with magical ambiance
This was a wonderful place to relax and restore after much travel. Close enough to get to visit wildlife tours with the option of sitting on the porch watching wildlife visit you. The individual bedroom buildings each have a character of their own and let members of the party have individual quiet time in worlds of their own.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Judie L.

Fabulous seaside getaway!
Being right on the water was so peaceful! The cottage has an amazing history that we are happy to be part of. The property had all the amenities and comforts of home. Thank you for sharing your property with us!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

peg B.

Would not use Boodabach again because of the newly added fees!
Would not use Boodabach again because of the newly added fees! Buyer beware!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Heather O.

Wonderful stay
Wonderful stay
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie J.

What a special place - location hard to beat
What a special place - location hard to beat. Loved staying in a bit of history right on the water - loved being able to kayak right from the cottage or just sit and watch the tide go in and out and all the birds and sea life. Place was very well fitted out and good base for exploring locally. Recommend Carey Bay hotel for lunch and you have to check out David Elliott gallery in Port Chalmers - enjoy a walk out along the mole too. Perfect end to our 2 week holiday around the south island.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Helen T.

We had such a beautiful stay at As You Like It
We had such a beautiful stay at As You Like It. The history and location of the cottage added to the experience of relaxing with the tides on the Inlet, walking, kayaking and bird watching.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Gina S.

Lovely rustic selection of Bach and other little buildings, right next to...
Lovely rustic selection of Bach and other little buildings, right next to the water, private and very peaceful. Everything you need to get away from it all. Even dressing gowns to keep you warm for popping to the facilities. Tuis and birdlife all around. Great place, not many like it around!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jan B.

This is the most amazing property
This is the most amazing property. The cottage/s are adorable, clean and well equipped. The location is spectacular. We had an idyllic two day stay - would loved to have stayed longer. Thank you for sharing this very special spot, Barbara. Jan, Ant and Sammy
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

TRACEY G.

Love this place our second time staying there perfect location cost house absolutely love it
Love this place our second time staying there perfect location cost house absolutely love it
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julia L.

Fantastic spot and stay.
Fantastic spot and stay. It’s my second time here and it’s such a special place. It has everything you need and one of the best views in Dunedin. Thanks Barbara
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jocelyn B.

Charming, very unique bach in a simply breathtaking location.
Charming, very unique bach in a simply breathtaking location. Impeccable, lovely fitting decor. Very impressed by the amount of care & love that has been put into the property inside & out.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rowana R.

Undeniably beautiful location.
Undeniably beautiful location. We didn't want to leave. The buildings were well cared for and comfortable
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

Gorgeous cottage.
Gorgeous cottage... absolute beautiful location..plenty to do around the area..everything you need was in the cottage...A++..thanks heaps Barbara ??
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

VALERIE C.

This little cottage is just amazing .
This little cottage is just amazing . Being so close to the water was a treat , even with bad weather. We hope we can come back next summer to enjoy the kayaks and some swimming . Very comfortable bed and beautiful bed linen . Such a nice atmosphere, when the weather is so bad outside and the cottage is so cosy .
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Norman C.

Cottage is beautifully restored.
Cottage is beautifully restored. Very quaint. Its as close to the sea as you can get without actually being in it, and there were kayaks and a row boat for those who wanted to be out on it. As we did.

About the host

Hosted by barblm764

Host profile image
My grandfather first brought a house in Purakaunui in the 1920’s and it has been a family favourite ever since. I was brought up in Dunedin, taught at a local high school, went back to University as a young mum and trained as a clinical psychologist in the 80’s. Buying As You Like It was a childhood dream and we spent many years bringing it up to modern living standard and restoring its original features. After 20 yrs as a psychologist, I brought a country hotel in Naseby, Central Otago as a complete change. The goal was to restore the 1863 building as I had As You Like It. Now life is a bit more peaceful, living at Purakaunui and enjoying seeing people enjoy Purakaunui as I do.

Why they chose this property

It is so unique.. a modest, charming and likeable house close to the water. So close it feels like living in a boat.. but not getting sea sick. As a child I always wanted this place... so intimately close to the sea and so easy to get back home to get warm and dry after a days adventures in the sand and sea. The only traffic is by boat or walking which makes for such a peaceful place, yet not isolated. I love the sense of history, getting a feel for how people lived a hundred years ago, but still enjoying some modern comforts.

What makes this property unique

Historic and unique to be so surrounded by the sea.

Languages:

English

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