Secluded Luxury Countryside Cottage near the Beach

Escape to a peaceful countryside estate in a private valley within an hour of Auckland and within 2 minutes of the beach. Surrounded by gardens, native trees, and the sound of birdsong, this charming luxury cottage offers a private and tranquil getaway. Whether you’re here for a romantic escape, a quiet creative retreat, or simply to unwind, Songbird Cottage offers luxury and peace. Perfect for solos, couples, families - you can even bring your dog! Limited spots available – book now! The space On arrival Check in time is from 4pm and check out is 10.30am on day of departure. There is a coded key box for easy access. On arrival you will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne. The cottage is ideal for a romantic couples break and perfect for a family holiday. The luxurious upstairs master bedroom and single downstairs room plus optional sleep out with bunk beds comfortably hosts 2 or 5 persons and we even offer a special place for the family dog . We do not allow children under 2 years for safety reasons (please enquire if you have children under 2 years old) Sleeping If you can tear yourself away from the twinkling stars then climb the stairs to the master bedroom and sink into a huge super king-sized bed. Every thought has gone into making your sleep perfect with crisp and cool luxury cotton bed linen, plump feather filled pillows and blankets and bedding to suit any temperature. And no need to share this room with any insects with clever roll down insect screens on all the windows. With beautifully decorated walls and carefully chosen interiors this is a room to relax the soul and forget about the world outside. The only question will be, whose turn is it to make breakfast in bed! An adjoining ensuite with Matakana Botanical toiletries, rain shower and view across the lawns to the pond, completes this beautiful space. Downstairs is a cute room just off the living area complete with daybed and small chest of drawers - this can be turned into a normal single bed and used as a small bedroom (only available when 3 or more guests are added during the booking process). Bringing the whole family or a couple of friends? Why not book the sleep out, which is fully insulated with double glazing, ceiling fan and 2 x single beds (it also has wifi too!) Fancy something indulgent, then take a book and soak up the serenity in the outdoor bathroom with a Victoria & Albert bath for two. For summer days spent at the beach, wash off salty skin and sandy toes in the alfresco shower. With plenty of hot and cold water on tap, the super-sized rain head will quickly relax and massage any tired limbs from a day’s adventure in the surf. Kitchen and living For those wanting to cook up a culinary delight the fully equipped kitchen has everything you need. Dining is simple: outdoors, outdoors, outdoors! With the sun creating a dancing dapple of light through the ancient eucalyptus and surrounding trees followed by the abundance of lavender, nodding their flowering heads of pink and purple in gratitude to the final rays of sun. This brings ‘dining on the deck’ to a new level of tranquillity and peace. For the full outdoor cooking and dining experience, enjoy canapés and a G&T and if it isn’t too much effort, light up the family sized Webber gas BBQ and eat and drink wine gathered from your days adventures – this is after all, food and wine Matakana! Outdoor space Songbird Cottage is set within in its own large landscaped gardens within the 4-acre grounds of Songbird Retreat, an exclusive wedding venue. Whilst staying at the cottage you will have exclusive use of the cottage garden and be able to enjoy the rest of the grounds as there will be no weddings taking place during your stay, providing some beautiful areas for walking, relaxing and playing. Please note that, on occasion, the gardener or lawnmower or the directors may need to work on the venue gardens but the cottage gardens within the fenced area will be free at all times. We will message you prior to any planned visits to the venue. Whilst we allow children to stay by prior arrangement only, please be aware that there is a large pond in the grounds, without fencing and therefore not suitable for young children (under 2 years). Please enquire for further information prior to booking. Dog friendly We have enjoyed the outdoor space with our own dogs and we know that luxury accommodation is difficult to find when you want to take your dog with you on holiday. Here at Songbird Cottage we invite you to bring your dog, as long as he/she is over 1 years old, house trained and doesn't roam. There are some stunning dog friendly walks right on the doorstep and with dog friendly Matheson Bay (peak summer restrictions are access before 10am and after 5pm) just a 2 min drive or a 10 min walk along a bush clad boardwalk with waterfalls and Kauri, this is the perfect place to bring your 4-legged friend. We have ponds, lots of wildlife and are host to all sorts of birdlife, which we want to encourage and protect. If your dog is a bird/duck chaser or likes to jump into ponds, this isn't the right place for them. The cottage garden is fenced with timber post and rail but there are large gaps under the fence so it is not dog proof. The rest of the grounds are also fenced but not secure. We request that dogs sleep in the veranda area or their own secure basket in the downstairs living area. Climbing on the sofa and popping upstairs onto the bed is strictly prohibited. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than one dog on your trip. A few more things to mention The 2 bathrooms comprise of an ensuite to the upstairs master bedroom, with an enclosed rain shower, small hand basin and toilet. Bathroom 2 is all about alfresco bathing, with a large bath on the deck (big enough for 2!) and a separate luxury rain shower (the 2nd toilet is located in the laundry room along with the washing machine, tumble dryer and additional sink). For those cosy winter evenings light the dinky wood burner in the living area, with plenty of logs available to keep the fire stoked. The cottage is north facing to catch as much of the sunshine and light as possible, but still remains a cool oasis in the heat of the summer months. Of course the heat pump/air conditioning can make it as perfect as you desire. Parking is in abundance, with room for your boat or motorhome! Bring the toys too as the barn can securely store bikes, kayaks, SUPS, whatever your pleasure. With Matheson Bay a 2 minute drive or a 10 minute walk and Omaha beach and Pakiri within striking distance, this is a sea lovers paradise. Leigh boat ramp is available to launch from, free of charge, just a 5 min drive away. A cleaning fee will be charged to maintain the immaculate presentation inside and out. Key facilities and features: Private north facing cottage with an optional single bedroom and/or separate sleep out Dog friendly with dog friendly walks and beach nearby Large beautiful landscaped gardens En-suite toilet and shower to master suite Outdoor bathroom with a large bath and a deluxe heated rain shower House book – the insider’s practical guide to Songbird Cottage, where to go and what to do locally A bottle of champagne on arrival Nespresso coffee machine with pods Coffee plunger with ground coffee English Breakfast and Earl Grey tea Basic larder condiments Fruit from the orchard when in season Matakana Botanical toiletries White waffle bathrobes Hairdryer Luxury cotton linen and towels Beach towels Twice filtered and UV treated rain and bore water Double glazing with roll down insect screens (not on the over wall sliders) Ecostore cleaning products Wood burner Endless supply of logs Smart TV Wifi Boombox Family size gas Webber BBQ Parking for numerous cars and boats Secure storage for outdoor gear Guest access The cottage, gardens and wedding venue landscaped gardens are entirely yours throughout your stay. Please note that, on occasion, the gardener or lawnmower or the directors may need to work on the venue gardens but the cottage gardens within the fenced area will be free at all times. We will message you prior to any planned visits to the venue. If you would like to utilise the sleepout for additional guests please add 3 or more guests during the booking process, otherwise it will remain locked. Other things to note We will have friendly alpacas in a paddock adjacent from summer 2025 onwards