Magical river retreat with private swimming hole.

Just 40 mins drive from Auckland, you can swim in your own private swimming hole or walk 10 minutes to the beach. Watch kererū, tui and fantails sitting in the trees on the deck and sit next to the brazier under the stars, listening to the river below.
This is a really unique place and not for everyone. A sense of adventure and a love of vintage homewares with some modern comforts (like a dishwasher and indoor plumbing) is a must. This kind of experience is hard to come by so close to the city.

Our cute 1940’s inspired house will take you back in time.
The main house is over a small walking bridge and up a small shell path ( 30 metres) or steps. ( not really suitable for wheely suitcases
Nestled in the bush with a sunny deck above the river, you can spend your days on Piha beach or just swimming in your own private swimming hole right below the house. Explore the nearby waterfall or Maungaroa ridge track or go exploring up behind the house on our own bush tracks.

The house itself is perfect for a family of up to 6 or two couples. Please specify the beds you would like made up.
From October to April we make the two sleep outs available on request, with room for at least two more couples or another family. ( note: there is no power in the sleep outs. We use solar lights and torches which we will provide. Please send a message with your booking if you would like access to one or both sleep outs as there will be an additional charge to cover preparation and linen.
The house comprises a main living room and kitchen in one space with two main bedrooms off to the side, one with a queen bed and the other, with a double bed and separate single bunk bed.
There is a third very small room with a single bed, separated by a curtain from the main space.

The bathroom has a full sized shower, heated towel rail and walk through to the flush toilet and small basin. There is also a washing machine in this space.
Outside the bathroom door is a basin for hand washing and tooth brushing.
On the deck is a bathtub with plumbed hot water.

In the kitchen, there is a full sized fridge/freezer, oven and electric hob, a microwave, dishwasher,coffee machine and water filter.

Our house is old and was built as a summer house in the 1940’s. Everything has been recently painted and we take great care in cleaning and looking after our place as we spend as much time there as possible. If you are looking for perfection, you will not find it here. But it has uniqueness in spades!

If you have mobility issues or small children it may not be suitable. Please message with any questions.

Flat screen TV with Netflix and Neon.
Stereo with aux plug for phone.
There is good phone reception and wifi.

There is ample car parking is on the lower lawn where the two sleep-outs are located. Walk over the bridge across the river and up a short path to the main house.

Supplied:
Tea, coffee and cooking basics
Eco dish-washing liquid and bodywash
Fresh clean linen on all beds and bath and beach towels.

When you rent the house, the entire property will be accessible to you only, no matter how many guests.
However, the use of the sleep-outs are dependent on how many adult guests are booked. However, the use of the sleep-outs are dependent on how many adult guests are booked. We usually make the smaller one that is closer to the house, available if there are more than two couples staying. The larger one is usually available for 8 guests. Please specify how many couples (people sharing a bed) and how you would like the bedding configuration to work otherwise you may not have access to these spaces.

During the months of May, June and July the bush covered cliff above our house shades us completely from the winter sun ( which is why we are lucky enough to have glowworms)
We recommend staying between August and April. (although it is warm and cosy in the winter with the fire roaring or the heat pump on.) Please enquire if you would like to stay over the winter, keeping in mind that the bush aspect of the house, means that it is wet and shady outside at this time of year.

Our property is unique and not suitable for children under 5 due to its proximity to the river.

If you are arriving at night, make sure that you have some kind of torch or phone flashlight as you will need to negotiate the bridge and path to the house.