Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat

Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat Review

This place is kind of like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow—it's quite a drive to get there but, hey, there are not many places in New Zealand where you can stay in simple, understated luxury, hear kiwi call at night, have a massage from a professional therapist, and soak in a private hot tub in the native bush. Aucklanders Bruce and Ann Clegg have a holiday home at a nearby beach, so when this 800 acres of native forest came up for sale they bought it, put a conservation covenant on the forest, and built accommodation and a café at the front. The lodge units are beautifully designed with recycled and Australian woods and are insulated with recycled wool! All are fully self-contained, with dishwasher, large fridge and freezer, laundry, flat-screen television, separate en suite bedroom, locally crafted macrocarpa furniture, wraparound veranda, and floor to ceiling windows for the forest views. There are both one- and two-bedroom lodges, and each two lodges share a BBQ site. Boardwalks lead to the massage therapist "hut" and hot tubs delightfully and privately set in the bush, or if you want a little adventure you can walk up the forest stream to a natural swimming hole. The café, bar, and restaurant serves wholesome local food and is open daily. In winter dinner is served weekends, also by request if you're staying during the week. Local fish and shellfish are a big menu focus. In summer you can watch the birdlife from the spacious deck, in winter keep cozy inside by the roaring fire. There's Wi-Fi throughout the property. Close by are great beaches and forest walks.