Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
Highlights
Made for relaxation
Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
On the beach
A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the sand and sea.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Discover nearby landmarks
Near Pakawau Beach
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5
Popular amenities
On beach
Deck or patio
Toys
Barbecue grill
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Explore the area
Pakawau Beach, Golden Bay
Pakawau Beach
Place, Pakawau Beach
16 min walk
Cape Farewell
Place, Cape Farewell
32 min drive
Abel Tasman National Park
Place, Abel Tasman National Park
50 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)
Ground floor
1 Queen Bed
Loft
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
The Library Bach - A special place people love!
“Silver Winner Golden Piwa Awards" BEST IN HOSPITALITY! A few steps away from a safe swimming beach, ‘The Library' refers to the original bach on this property, a small relocated country library. This now serves as a characterful sleepout and sits behind the main bach which is located beside an estuary. The large section is quiet, bush-clad, bird-filled and has superb inlet and mountain views.
The bach is private and open plan - think designer retro-pacific styled tramping hut! Beds are in the loft and on the ground floor with no doors between. The bach's size, character and proximity to stunning beaches help make it a wonderful holiday destination for couples or small families.
There is great mobile phone reception at the bach.
Extra features include nearby migratory godwits and other wonderful bird life, including little blue penguins who are rarely seen but often heard and nest under the library sleep-out or wood pile. Plentiful cockles and pipi are a short stroll away at low tide. There are also a superb selection of natural history, children's and other fiction books, a large record collection, gas hot water and stove top, kayaks, paddle board, an outside bath and a composting indoor toilet.
The bach won an NZIA Resene Local Award for Architecture.
Special conditions: A minimum of four nights applies for bookings during NZ summer school holidays and a minimum of three nights applies for NZ long weekends. Otherwise a minimum of two nights. Rental is for a maximum of 3 people. Each additional guest per night is $25.00. Smoking allowed outside only. If you do not have the time or inclination to clean the bach before you leave, cleaning can be arranged for $80.00. Cotton sheets and towels are also available at NZ$25.00 per person.
Donation Scheme For every night The Library Bach is booked, a $5.00 donation is made to the Nelson Community Foodbank Trust Inc. The Trust provides food parcels to families and individuals experiencing hardship in the Nelson area and is a registered charity (No. CC29561) https://www.nelsoncommunityfoodbank.org.nz/. To date the bach has donated over $4,500.00.
Previously the Library Bach raised over $7,000.00 for The Nelson ARK.
Please check out my social enterprise in Golden Bay's Aorere Valley, 3km from the Heaphy Track. Te Whare o Kea provides cute and tiny accom for two people, is non-profit and supports the Kea Conservation Trust and local conservation projects. It can be found on Airbnb or the Library Bach website and is the place to stay for an early start on the Heaphy or a fabulous off grid get away!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
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The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Please leave the bach tidy. Unless you have paid for cleaning, wipe down all surfaces and vacuum the floor.
Remove rubbish in the TDC bag provided in the bin on the porch and leave it at the letterboxes for Monday collection or drop it off at the Collingwood Refuse Centre.
Turn the loo and (preferably also) empty the outside container into compost bin. See instructions in bathroom and on info sheet. Disposable gloves are in bathroom cupboard but it is not a messy job!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number -
Property # 20006755ha
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
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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the neighborhood
Collingwood
Located in Collingwood, this vacation home is on the beach. Travelers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Collingwood Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kahurangi National Park and Pakawau Beach. Discover the area's water adventures with surfing/body boarding and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking/biking trails.
Abel Tasman National Park - 50 min drive - 70.1 km
Ngarua Caves - 54 min drive - 83.3 km
Restaurants
The Courthouse Cafe - 9 min drive
Rosy Glow Chocolate Shop - 9 min drive
Collingwood Cafe - 9 min drive
Lady luck Cafe - 9 min drive
MAD Cafe - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The Library Bach - A special place people love! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The Library Bach - A special place people love!?
As of Jun 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Library Bach - A special place people love! on Jun 17, 2026 start from $138, 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?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Library Bach - A special place people love!?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Library Bach - A special place people love!?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Library Bach - A special place people love! located?
Situated on the beach, this vacation home is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Pakawau Beach and within 6 mi (10 km) of Kahurangi National Park and Collingwood Recreation Ground. Collingwood Museum and Tukurua Bay are also within 9 mi (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
This is our second time staying here...such a great wee spot to explore the area. We spent both evenings there with the fire going listening to records. The host is a great communicator and made everything very easy.
Totara Avenue is a special place and the Library is one of our favourite places to stay there. The record collection is just one of the pleasures to discover. Highly recommended!
We just love the location. It’s just magical in all weathers and tides. Bathroom a joy with space for all your things. Loved the record collection. Host very responsive. Will return.
We had a wonderful family time at the Library Batch. It's a peaceful, cozy and special place. It's very well equipped and tidy. It's welcoming with a heart and soul. Surrounded by a beautiful nature and arts! We'll be back!
The surrounding bush and tidal waters added to this peaceful environment
Bach clean and spacious and fully equipped
Ideal place to relax and recharge
Location good to explore the near by tourist sites.
We were very comfortable in this lovely bach. Amazing location maximized by the large windows made for relaxing by, even when the weather wasnt great and kept cosy ny the fire. We absolutely loved it and would love to stay again.
Nicqui L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
About the host
Hosted by Anna
What makes this property unique
Close to Wharariki, Farewell Spit and other stunning beaches. Looks directly into a beautiful small inlet and is a few steps from a lovely swimming beach.
The Library sleepout has resident kororā (little blue penguins) nesting beneath it. See this link and recognise their call when at the bach! https://www.goldenbaypenguins.org.nz/blue-penguins
In Jan 2020 a guest saw or (or heard) the following at Totara Ave (unless noted): House Sparrow Starling Red Billed Gull Black Billed Gull Black Backed Gull Blackbird Swamp Harrier White Faced Heron Paradise Shelduck Fantail (and black-phase fantail) Caspian Tern Spur Winged Plover Song Thrush Goldfinch Tui Yellowhammer Fernbird (heard only) NZ Falcon Spotted Shag Grey Warbler Welcome Swallow NZ Wood Pigeon Variable Oystercatcher SI Pied Oystercatcher Pied Shag Chaffinch Greenfinch White Fronted Tern Sacred Kingfisher Pukeko Silvereye Black Swan Bellbird Eastern Bar Tailed Godwit Australasian Gannet California Quail Banded Rail (very elusive exciting find) Black Shag Mallard Grey Duck Shining Cuckoo (heard only) Royal Spoonbill Pipit (Farewell Spit) Knot (Farewell Spit) Eastern Great Egret (White Heron/Kotuku) Pied Stilt Weka (heard only)
That’s a birder’s dream! Add korora (little blue penguin) when they are nesting.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests