An Eco-friendly run cottage nestled within Wharehine Retreat, our 5-acre lifestyle block close to the Kaipara harbour in rural Rodney. At just over an hour’s drive from Auckland, it’s a quick and easy escape from the City.
Set within orchards and lush private gardens overlooking a duckpond, Fig...
An Eco-friendly run cottage nestled within Wharehine Retreat, our 5-acre lifestyle block close to the Kaipara harbour in rural Rodney. At just over an hour’s drive from Auckland, it’s a quick and easy escape from the City.
Set within orchards and lush private gardens overlooking a duckpond, Fig Cottage is an utterly enchanting, romantic little hideaway, surrounded by nature - ideal for a romantic weekend away or mini-moon! . Guests have exclusive use of the gardens, waterside cabin and deck and the orchard.
The accommodation is a beautifully styled 60m2 self-contained detached cottage overlooking paddocks, with a private garden, roll-top bath under the stars, seperate day cabin, water-side dining deck with swinging hammock chairs, and complementary spray-free veggie beds
There’s so much to see and do within a 5-40 min drive.... within easy reach of Matakana, Mangawhai, Warkworth and Pakiri, you can visit historic chapels; the Saturday farmers markets at Matakana and Mangawhai...... marine reserves at Pakiri, Goat Island and Omaha, or maybe take an oyster farm or river tour, or indulge your senses at one of three sculpture parks in the area (Gibbs Farm, Sculptureum & Brick Bay).
There’s also some great walking/mountain bike tracks with stunning views at our local Ātiu Creek regional park, plus many more to choose from along the Matakana Coast headland. If you love wine, we have over 20 local vineyards and many boutique breweries, including 8-wired and the Sawmill Brewery. Boutique shopping and vintage stores aplenty..... plus world class beaches at Mangawhai, Te Arai & Pakiri.
......or you can just simply put your feet up with a good book and a glass of wine, and while the day away in the cabin next to the duck pond. (Most guests never even leave the property during their stay!)
Essential Stay Info
Bed and Breakfast
Cottage
Access to lakes, rivers, streams & beaches
Digital Detox
Not Suitable for Children
Rural Views
Single Safe
Solitude
Sustainable Stays
Whole House
Check in time: 2pm - 7pm - Contactless Check In / Check Out Check out time: 11am weekdays & Sat. Noon on Sundays
Eating and Drinking
The kitchen has everything you need to prepare and serve meals, including fridge/freezer, gas hob and countertop convection oven/air fryer, toaster, kettle, Nespresso machine & filter coffee plungers. There’s a BBQ and dining table on the deck by the duck pond.
Bedding Configuration
1 x Queen bed (maximum occupancy - two)
We style the bedroom to each guests’ personal preference, so if you love a pretty country, or calming modern ...
1 x Queen bed (maximum occupancy - two)
We style the bedroom to each guests’ personal preference, so if you love a pretty country, or calming modern look, just let us know when booking and it’ll be all ready and waiting for you! (See photos)
More info about the property
A beautifully styled 60m2 self-contained cottage with private gardens and an outdoor bath big enough for two!
There’s room to spread out during your stay and spend a wonderfully romantic relaxing brea...
A beautifully styled 60m2 self-contained cottage with private gardens and an outdoor bath big enough for two!
There’s room to spread out during your stay and spend a wonderfully romantic relaxing break together, surrounded by nature. In addition to the cottage, there’s a super cute little cabin with over-water deck and a daybed stacked with squashy cushions, If you’re feeling creative, there’s also an easel with paper, paints and brushes, yoga mat. Guests have exclusive use of the waterside cabin, deck and gardens during their stay.
Our property is run as eco-friendly as possible, with double filtered harvested rainwater, septic waste system, low energy light bulbs and eco-friendly/sustainable cleaning, laundry and personal care products. With the exception of mains electric to the cottage, everything else is off-grid, so you’ll need a torch for getting to and from the waterside cabin at night. We grow and dry our own spray-free fruit and herbs.
The accomodation itself, ‘Fig Cottage’, has a spacious open plan lounge/kitchen/dining area, with Freeview TV, bluetooth speaker and a ceiling fan for those extra hot evenings. The kitchen’s fully equipped with cooking and serve-ware, and there’s a bbq by the waterside deck for al-fresco dining.
The bathroom has a shower - the tub is outside, set within the cottage garden. Just draw yourself a hot bath, sprinkle with dried petals or a fragrant bubble bath bomb (add-on), to enjoy a wonderfully romantic soak together as the sun sets and the stars come out!
We have the most comfortable Queen bed ever. With crisp white linen and a choice of pillows, you’re guaranteed a sublime nights sleep. Bathrobes, fluffy towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and luxury sustainable hand wash all provided.
In the kitchen you’ll find a Nespresso machine, loose leaf tea, filter coffee, sugar, milk, cooking oil & herbs, washing up liquid.
Our three fave spots are watching swallows dipping the duckpond from the hammock chairs, watching the sun go down from the waterside cabin, and snuggling up on a rug with blankies to take in the splendour of our fabulously clear dark skies (or it’s just as amazing from the bathtub!)
Unique kiwi experiences for you
In addition to the cottage, there’s also a super cute waterside cabin with daybed for watching the sunsets
Beautiful clear night skies for stargazing by the duckpond - or star-bathing in the outdoor bath!
Visit Minniesdale Chapel, Albertland’s oldest chapel brought from the UK with the first settlers to the area. Stunning location!
Have a question about this property? Click here to send us a message
What we love about this property
A tranquil and romantic couple’s retreat with easy access to Mangawhai, Matakana & it’s coastal villages, beaches, vineyards, Kaipara harbour and Atui Creek regional park.
A tranquil and romantic couple’s retreat with easy access to Mangawhai, Matakana & it’s coastal villages, beaches, vineyards, Kaipara harbour and Atui Creek regional park.
Activities on or nearby this property
Birdlife
Cycle Tracks
Farm Animals to Meet
Golf (BYO clubs)
Hiking | Tramping
Horse Riding and Trekking
Mountain Biking
Nature Walks
Outdoor Bath | Hot Tub
Rafting | Kayaking | Canoeing
Relaxation
Sheep Shearing (seasonal)
Star Gazing
Surfing
Swimming
Vineyards Nearby
Windsurfing | Kite boarding
Amenities
Bath tub
BBQ
Drinking Water
Electric blankets
Fan
Fridge (or cooling facility) available
Gas available
Hair dryer
Heating (electric, gas or fireplace)
Hot Water Available
Jug/Kettle
Limited mobile service
Linen Provided
No Wifi
North Island
Oven
Picnic Table
Property Manager on site
Rubbish bin
RV/Motorhome accessible
Shower
Toaster
Toilet
Towels Provided
TV
Unsealed Roads
Washing Machine
Drive Times
Auckland: Just 40 mins off peak! from north shoreHamilton: 2h 20mins off peakTauranga: 3h 30mTaupo: 4h 30mWellington: 9h 30m
Extras you might like to add
These will be available to select during the booking progress
Our local baker supplies us with a delicious range of sweet and savoury treats to order. Prices vary between $4 - $7 for sweet or savoury Danishes, muffins, tarts and quiches. We email details of what’s cooking during your stay to guests around a week prior to your visit, so you can pre-order any treats, and it will be waiting for you in the cottage on arrival.
There’s not many places you’re able to choose your preferred style of linen & cushions to transform your bedroom into your dream boudoir!
We have crisp white bed linen, teamed with romantic florals or a calming blue contemporary scheme to choose from....... the choice is yours!
If you have a preference, simply flick us an email after receiving your booking confirmation from us. This is a complementary option.
If you’re coming away to de-stress and unwind, why not try a QiGong energy healing session in the waterside cabin during your stay!
This non-invasive, no touch energy healing unblocks and clears trapped energy and any energy you’ve picked up from other people or your workplace, releases energetic attachments, and heals anything that needs healing….. leaving you feeling balanced and energised.
Available to pre-order by email just before your stay.
$50 per person payable on site
If you enjoy your breakfast preserves, we have a range of homemade preserves and chutneys available for sale to take home with you.
Available to purchase in the cottage during your stay and priced per item ($4 - $8)
If you’d love to getaway, but aren’t comfortable about being all on your own in the cottage at night, we’re more than happy to lend you Archie for the evening!
An ex-SPCA Therapy Dog, Archie has the most adorable nature, will offer cuddles and be happy to keep you company. He’ll bring his own wicker basket and sleep in the lounge so you don’t feel so alone 😄
This is a complementary service
Reviews
Reviews
If you're looking for a romantic, private and unique time away, Wharehine Reatreat is highly recommended. The attention to detail and clarity from the host, along with nice artistic and eco-friendly touches really creates a point of difference. The gardens, orchard, pond and outdoor areas extend the appeal of the quaint yet spacious Fig Cottage. We ended up spending more time at the accommodation than planned, it was well equipped and extremely comfortable! We will be back 😊
Jason - Feb 2024
Very serene get away - perfect !
Gary - Dec 2023
Wonderful hosts- warm, friendly and checked if I needed anything. I was able to enjoy their beautiful place of stillness and quiet. A fully functional space with extras and beautiful and homely, just loved it. It was so nice to be in a beautiful setting but also to have a beautiful space to be in. I would love to come again.
maggie - Dec 2022
We had the best 2 nights at the Wharehine Retreat. It truly was a time out from everything - very comfy bed, very well resourced and great coffee on the deck to all the bird song. The bonus for us - had a lovely walk round Atiu Creek Regional Park too. Totally recommend and hope to go back some day.
Kate - Nov 2022
Wharehine Retreat was just perfect. The attention to detail everywhere was like nothing else I've experienced in accommodation in New Zealand. The bed was so comfortable, the breakfast food delicious and mostly home made (and fresh eggs from the chickens) and even the hand soaps were natural and luxurious. The outdoor bath was a highlight for me, the ideal peaceful moment to myself each morning. The grounds are beautiful with flowers and native plants everywhere and a veggie patch in front of the cottage to try fresh tomatoes and herbs. Pip & Nige were amazing hosts, very friendly and lovely to chat to over my morning coffees on the waterside deck (another treat). I could go on about all the other great things but what I will say is I would definitely recommend staying here and want to stay again myself!
Nia - Mar 2022
Peaceful, serene and magical – one of the loveliest places we’ve stayed in a long time. The cottage is set away from the main property so very private, and set amongst beautiful, lush gardens. Our highlights were the swinging hammock chairs by the water and the outdoor bath – perfect for stargazing! Pip and Nige were wonderful hosts and had thought of everything from muesli and fresh bread for breakfast to providing the comfiest bedding. Highly recommend!
Jay - Feb 2022
Thank you Pip and Nigel @ Wharehine Retreat for a most memorable and refreshing Valentine's holiday. You have a stunning bed and breakfast nestled in lush tropical plants with so many picturesque spots to explore around the lake. The cottage is so modern, stylish and spacious and we just melted into the hammocks on the bbq deck under the solar fairy lights and starry sky. An absolute sanctuary, not to mention the delicious breakfast! 10/10.
Raquela & Paul, Auckland
If you're looking for a romantic, private and unique time away, Wharehine Reatreat is highly recommended. The attention to detail and clarity from the host, along with nice artistic and eco-friendly touches really creates a point of difference. The gardens, orchard, pond and outdoor areas extend the appeal of the quaint yet spacious Fig Cottage. We ended up spending more time at the accommodation than planned, it was well equipped and extremely comfortable! We will be back 😊
Jason - Feb 2024
Very serene get away - perfect !
Gary - Dec 2023
About your host, Philippa
Hi, we’re Pip and Nige; Auckland escapees, now living the rural dream on an idyllic 5-acre lifestyle block in Rodney.
Originally from the beautiful North Yorkshire Dales in the UK, it took us ten years to find a place to call home here in New Zealand. We feel so blessed to live in our little slice of heaven, and would like to share it with you.
We’re into permaculture and organic gardening, zero-waste living and enjoying everything our new lifestyle brings.
In addition to caring for the grounds and birds, Pip practices Qigong meditation and offers guests energy healing in the waterside cabin.
Nige can talk for hours about music and football... is a carrot cake aficionado and lifetime member of java-holics anonymous!
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