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India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!
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Reviews
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
Queen Room
1 Queen Bed
Twin Room
2 Single Beds
Twin Room
2 Single Beds
1 bathroom
Bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
About this property
India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!
India House is a rustic, charming (original 1866) 3 bedroom stand-alone cottage, located in the grounds of the Ica Station Homestead at Whareama, close to the beach resort of Riversdale. Situated at the end of a ‘no exit’ road, simply enjoy the peace and quiet of an early settler cottage, steeped in history, in the beautiful countryside setting of Ica Station. Originally built in 1866, today ‘India House’ offers our visitors comfortable, clean, rustic accommodation and a location with interesting early NZ rural character. The cottage is quaint and still enjoys many of its original features. It has 3 small twin bedrooms (with the option for Bedroom 1 to be a King size), a living room, small dining kitchen and inside bathroom with flushing toilet and an outside flushing toilet. With uninterrupted views over a small lake and beautiful countryside, here you can relax, read a book, have a glass of wine and listen to the birds in the peaceful and extremely private setting of this cottage. All our guests have use of a swimming pool and spa pool at the main Homestead during their stay! With Riversdale and Otahome Beaches only 15 mins drive away and Castlepoint Beach 35 mins in the opposite direction, this bach is an ideal base for surfers, fishermen, golfers, couples or groups of friends to explore the East Coast of the Wairarapa!. There's plenty to see and do in the area. Nearby Riversdale and Castlepoint offer superb Golf Courses, a local store for food and basic groceries, Tennis Courts, Swimming, Fishing, Surfing, Walking, Diving and Boating. Or Otahome, where you often have the beach to yourselves. Close by is the village of Tinui that has the oldest ANZAC Memorial Cross you can walk up to (Nov - Apr annually).
Special conditions: Smoking allowed outside only please. Well behaved dog considered (not always possible) - strictly by arrangement only, cost $15 per night, please say when booking!. No bottles, glass or pets allowed in the swimming pool/spa pool area. Please note - there is only limited cellphone or wifi coverage at the cottage. Extras: Cleaning (NZ$35.00 per stay); Linen (included); Tea/Coffee provisions (included); Continental breakfast provisions (extra charge); Shared use of Swimming Pool and Spa Pool available - short stroll across the lawns.
Check-in is available from 1.30pm and check-out by 10.30am.
We also run the 'Whareama Coastal Walk' a 2 or 3 day fully catered 'Walking Adventure' over private farmland and isolated Wairarapa coastline. See the 'Whareama Coastal Walk' website for more details.
NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean up and do the dishes before you leave.
Special conditions: Smoking allowed outside only please. Well behaved dog considered (not always possible) - strictly by arrangement only, cost $15 per night, please say when booking!. No bottles, glass or pets allowed in the swimming pool/spa pool area. Please note - there is only limited cellphone or wifi coverage at the cottage. Extras: Cleaning (NZ$35.00 per stay); Linen (included); Tea/Coffee provisions (included); Continental breakfast provisions (extra charge); Shared use of Swimming Pool and Spa Pool available - short stroll across the lawns.
Check-in is available from 1.30pm and check-out by 10.30am.
We also run the 'Whareama Coastal Walk' a 2 or 3 day fully catered 'Walking Adventure' over private farmland and isolated Wairarapa coastline. See the 'Whareama Coastal Walk' website for more details.
NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean up and do the dishes before you leave.
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House Rules
Check in after 1:30 PM
Check out before 10:30 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Note there is a small lake in front of the cottage
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Pets by prior permission only!
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Smoking allowed outside only.
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Mangapakeha
Located in Mangapakeha, this cottage is in a rural area. Castlepoint Rock and Castlepoint Lighthouse are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Otahome Beach and Basil Bodle Reserve. Surfing/body boarding, fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby.

Whareama, Wellington Region
What's nearby
- Basil Bodle Reserve - 23 min drive - 25.1 km
- Riversdale Beach - 23 min drive - 25.5 km
- Riversdale Southern Reserve - 25 min drive - 26.6 km
- Henley Lake - 40 min drive - 51.5 km
- Castlepoint Beach - 43 min drive - 47.4 km
Restaurants
- Tinui Cafe And Pub - 29 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
9.6/10
Location
9.8/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
29 Dec, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Alison H.
9 Nov, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming historic property
Alison H.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Elliot H.
3 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Elliot H.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jessica D.
30 Dec, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christmas stay
Jessica D.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jules v.
3 Jun, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little farm house for winter getaway
Jules v.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jules v.
2 Jul, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely spot, with great hosts
Jules v.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Zoe W.
18 May, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely
Zoe W.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
ALLAN C.
8 Jan, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous cottage for a getaway.
ALLAN C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Davina J.
25 Jan, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful country stay
Davina J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
8/10 Good
karin and Richard S.
1 Apr, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Great tramping place
karin and Richard S.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tim L.
19 Jan, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Recharge
Tim L.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Gillian H.
4 Feb, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and relaxing
Gillian H.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Melanie B.
18 Jan, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Heavenly
Melanie B.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Maria and Graham M.
18 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely historic cottage.
Maria and Graham M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Margaret O.
14 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cosy Cottage with Winter Comforts
Margaret O.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Brendan H.
2 Jan, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A relaxed stay in a hidden gem
Brendan H.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021
10/10 Excellent
russell o.
1 Nov, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet. However, a great break away.
russell o.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
10/10 Excellent
Frances V.
29 Oct, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Would highly recommend!
Frances V.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
10/10 Excellent
Jodene T.
8 Jul, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
India House
Jodene T.
10/10 Excellent
Aoife N.
27 Jun, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect rural getaway
Aoife N.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
10/10 Excellent
kim A.
2 May, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short stay at Whareama
kim A.
10/10 Excellent
Sam F.
11 Apr, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing retreat
Sam F.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
10/10 Excellent
Sally B.
12 Mar, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Whareama
Sally B.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021
10/10 Excellent
Melanie K.
25 Jan, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and private
Melanie K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
10/10 Excellent
Kate M.
2 Jan, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and cozy
Kate M.
About the host
Hosted by Carmen Tredwell
Your hosts are Dick & Carmen Tredwell, originally from the UK, we've spent the past 21 years living in the Wairarapa. We have a beautiful historic homestead which we have turned into a B&B and have two ornate cottages in the 20 acres of grounds around the Homestead - India House being one of these cottages. We welcome you to our 'little piece of paradise!'
What makes this property unique
Beautiful outlook - set in private estate grounds (accommodates up to 6 persons).
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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