Facilities and parking
The cottage boasts a private, pretty cottage garden with tables, chairs and sun umbrella. There are several charming, sunny seating spots which are perfect for breakfast or a cuppa and a good book.
The garden is bountiful and changes through the seasons. We love to share its joys and beauty with you. Organic seasonal vegetables as well as hen and duck eggs may be available depending when you visit. You are likely to find lettuces, kale, silver beet, carrots, potatoes, beans, peas, rosemary, coriander, parsley, mint, sage, oregano, chives, fennel and plenty more! There are beds of cottage flowers which give constantly changing colours, for example deep red gladioli, red Anzac poppies, beautiful mignonette, lupins, roses, irises and cosmos. It is a well loved garden and all watered by hand. As nature planned, it thrives or perishes depending on whether we get enough water to it.
We collect our own rain water which is excellent to drink, how much we have depends on the rain gods! We aim to conserve water where possible. The cottage has its own rain water supply which is wonderful to drink and bathe in. Although we must ask that you take care and not waste the water if we are in a dry season - thank you for being considerate.
This property is unique due to its age and history and the fact it was one of the first cottages built in one of the first areas in NZ to be settled by Pakeha (non Maori). The building is quaint and unspoiled, retaining its original features, old timbers, beautiful wooden crooked floors and antique fittings so that you get the feel of living as it used to be. The cottage is very old so guests are asked to treat it gently.
Come and experience a taste of how the early settlers lived with the comforts that we all expect nowadays. You'll see an early photo of the cottage, some old bottles, hob-nail boots and other nicnacs found when we renovated it. Step back in time and ponder the lifestyles, daily routines and building methods of the settler families.
We, the owners, live in the property next door, Crabapple Cottage, and are happy to help you with any special requests. We can provide further information, tours and meals if that is what you want for a personalised visit. Just contact us.
However your privacy is respected at all times. This is your holiday!
We can be contacted most easily via text, phone or email (if not at home next door) as we workaround the area and in Dunedin.
Self contained and self catering, under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to leave the house in a tidy condition
Parking is at the front of the cottage and you have your own entrance. Just walk up the garden path to the welcoming front door. This is where you will find the lockbox. Come from your car into another world of rustic, old worldly and romantic charm. The cottage is yours to enjoy, along with the garden in front.
