Room review: Kokohuia Lodge – couples luxury eco escape among the Northland trees

Nestled away within the treetops of New Zealand’s Far North stands the right place for an opulent getaway for 2 with an eco-friendly twist.

The Hokianga Harbour is an typically ignored summer time vacation vacation spot, and one of many North Island’s greatest stored secrets and techniques. With big sand dunes and crystal clear seashores, it’s a great spot for a soothing weekend away.

Kokohuia Lodge hosts only one couple at a time and is marketed as a non-public eco-resort excellent for a romantic get-away.

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Homeowners of the lodge, Steve Heim and Suzanne Duff determined to ditch Auckland metropolis and transfer to Ōmāpere, opening up the Kokohuia Lodge in 2012.

THE PLACE

The lodge is a few three-hour drive from Auckland metropolis – 4 in case you cease for highway journey snacks – and has a good looking vantage level of the bush, sand dunes and ocean.

The journey itself hosts some superb views as you snake by means of the Waipoua Forest, house to Tāne Mahuta, a large Kauri tree. As you enter Ōmāpere, there’s a wide ranging view of the enormous sand dunes that lie past the white sand seashore.

Off the primary highway in Ōmāpere, you flip onto a skinny gravel highway and drive till you attain the highest. A small signal and a single carpark await and a picket staircase leads you down in the direction of the solar-powered lodge.

THE SPACE

The lodge itself is made nearly totally of wooden and timber and is powered by solar panels.

The view itself is breath-taking – whether or not you’re sitting on the snug king-size mattress or within the spectacular egg-shaped bathtub you get sweeping views of the harbour.

There’s not a tv in sight which helps so as to add to the environment of pure rest, and on the balcony, there’s an out of doors eating desk in addition to two beanbags, so you possibly can stargaze comfortably with solely the sound of the ocean and the occasional morepork within the distance.

For those who fancy a stroll, there are one-and-a-half acres of native bush to discover with orchards, gardens and two horses in a subject, on the grounds beneath the lodge.

THE FOOD

To actually excellent the sensation of a getaway only for two, you possibly can choose to have your meals, (a two-course dinner and breakfast), on the lodge itself, created by Steve and Suzanne themselves utilizing home-grown and native produce.

There may be a Thai restaurant and an incredible fish and chip shop in nearby Opononi in case you determine you wish to fend for your self.

I opted to have my meals on the balcony of the lodge, so I may watch the sundown whereas consuming. Steve and Suzanne requested when could be a great time to ship the primary course, and at 7pm two plates of asparagus wrapped in prosciutto arrived.

The second course was teriyaki hen on a mattress of rice with a facet of Asian impressed salad.

Within the morning, earlier than our cooked breakfast arrived, I sampled some plum yoghurt Steve and Suzanne had made themselves that was left within the fridge for company. The yoghurt additionally featured honey which the couple mentioned got here from their very own beehive.

At 10am, breakfast arrives – toasted bagels with do-it-yourself pesto, bacon, avocado and tomato, with a strawberry smoothie to drink.

STEPPING OUT

When you could wish to spend your time nestled up contained in the lodge, the Hokianga Harbour has lots of actions to supply guests.

You’ll be able to swim within the crystal clear water of the seashores throughout the harbour, or take a stroll by means of the traditional Kauri forest.

The close by picturesque village of Rāwene can also be price a cease, as is the boulder valley at Wairere.

For these wanting a little bit of an adrenaline rush, there’s a boat that heads over to the enormous sand dunes a number of instances a day and you may take pleasure in sandboarding down them into the water.

HIGHLIGHT

Taking within the actually gorgeous panoramic views whereas sipping wine within the free-standing double bathtub. It was next-level bliss and doubtless the longest bathtub I’ve ever taken, It might be exceptionally straightforward to whereas away a day on this bathtub.

Every morning the enormous dunes are coated in a layer of thick mist. It was stunning to have the ability to watch it slowly dissipate from the heat of the tub.

LOWLIGHT

Actually, the hospitality of the hosts and luxury and great thing about the lodge cannot be faulted. The one ‘lowlight’ of kinds is after sundown on the balcony be certain that to placed on the equipped bug spray otherwise you’ll turn into the primary course for pesky mosquitos.

THE VERDICT

It might be a little bit of a drive from Auckland however it’s properly well worth the journey. This may be an incredible place to have a good time an anniversary, birthday or perhaps a honeymoon.

ESSENTIALS

An evening on the lodge will value you $320. Go to kokohuialodge.co.nz.

The author was hosted by Kokohuia Lodge.