The Tairua Tree House - a traditional NZ bach overlooking Tairua harbour

The Tree House (Te Whare Rakau)

A classic Kiwi Bach. Please note the definition: A bach (pronounced 'batch', also called a crib in the southern half of the South Island) is a small, often very modest holiday home or beach house in New Zealand.

Our bach is nestled among the tree tops, overlooking the Tairua Harbour, Pauanui, and out to sea towards Shoe and Slipper Islands.
Wake to the morning sun streaming in and the song of tui. Listen to the call of the morepork and kiwi at night. A sense of peace and seclusion, only a 10-minute walk from the town, or 2 minutes by car.

Comfortable but casual, sunny, fully furnished. Two bedrooms – including a mezzanine and a bunk room with a secret door. WARNING the secret doorway can be challenging to adults, halflings will be fine.

Please do not expect a gourmet chocolate on your designer bedspread. In fact, don't even expect sheets on the bed, you've got to bring your own.
If you want five star motel accommodation, please look elsewhere. We regret that some guests have expectations that do not match our property, please ensure you understand this is a 'modest holiday home' and enjoy it for what it is.

The house is heated with a heart pump in the main living area and main bedroom. The second bedroom has an additional heater. The fire is currently out of commission and must not be used.

Tairua is a great holiday spot. Swim in the protected harbour, or on the ocean beach. Hire a kayak and explore the harbour and estuary. Fish in the harbour, surf cast off the beach, or take a fishing charter. Check out the local bush walks – kauri groves, old mines and caves to explore (maps and information at the bach).

Tairua is ideally located for day trips – close to Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove and Sailor’s Grave. A regular ferry service runs across the harbour to Pauanui.

Try out the excellent cuisine offered at local cafes and restaurants.

The town is well serviced with a small supermarket, a chemist, a hardware store, cafes and restaurants, and an art gallery featuring local artists' work. There is a Telecom hot spot – free wireless internet in the town centre. Visitors are welcome at the local golf course.

For those wet days, DVDs are available locally – but bring your computer to watch them – there is no TV.

Special conditions:
Families preferred, having said that the property doesn't meet current building compliance standards regarding safety for children. There is no bannister on the internal stairs, the balcony railing on the deck is just under a metre high (see photos) and the mezzanine floor balustrade is not officially childproof. There are clear in the photos.
However, our children have all delighted in the place! Especially the secret passageway to the bunk-room.
NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Bring your own linen (towels/sheets/pillow slips).