Step back in time to a more leisurely age and holiday in a historic Rangitoto bach. For the first time in over 100 years you can now book a bach stay on Auckland’s iconic volcanic island.
Since the 1920s the baches on Rangitoto have been available to only a few lucky families but now you can join them. Two of these little cottages have been lovingly restored in keeping with their age but with the addition of modern bedding, cooking, heating and toilet facilities.
Two baches are available (see our other listing). Bach 114 is the larger of the two with 2 bedrooms and the possibility of sleeping more. There is a large dining/sitting room and a light spacious sun-porch. Gas cooking and heating are installed and solar panels operate the lighting system. The bach is totally ‘off grid’ complete with a cassette style toilet.
Getting there:
Bach 114 is located in mature pohutukawa forest at Islington Bay, on the eastern side of Rangitoto Island. The bach is a 2 minute walk from Islington Bay Wharf along the road or an hour and a half walk from Rangitoto Wharf. There is a network of well-defined walking tracks on both islands giving access to the volcanic features of Rangitoto and the native bush restoration and archaeological sites on Motutapu. Both islands are pest free and you will see native birds and other native wildlife often absent on the mainland.
While the rocky shoreline of Rangitoto makes swimming difficult the sandy beaches of Motutapu are just a short walk away.
Know before you go:
- Access is by sea shuttle, ferry or private boat. For the slightly more adventurous, consider kayaking to your bach accommodation.
- Rangitoto Island is pest free – No pets are allowed
- There are no shops on Rangitoto Island
- There are no public rubbish bins on Rangitoto
Special conditions:
The Department of Conversations biosecurity rules apply.
Small animals, ants, rainbow skinks and weeds or exotic seeds are the biggest threats to the pest-free status of our special islands. Gear that has been in the garage or even stored in the house could be hiding rodents, skinks, insects and seeds. So we need your help. Complete the DOC Biosecurity checklist for visiting pest free islands and hand it to the bach manager or Island Ranger when you arrive at the island.
Extras: Cleaning (Optional, NZ$50.00 per stay); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Bring your own linen (towels/sheets/tea towels);