Environmentally-friendly Retro-style escape 15 minutes from Hutt Valley and Porirua and just 30 minutes from Wellington City. Enjoy fantastic, quintessential rural New Zealand, close to urban centres in this romantic retro cottage, perfectly positioned for sun and views. This place is all about relaxing, slowing down, and unwinding. Book now to secure a slice of heaven. The space This property is ideal for lovers, honeymooners, small families (sleeps 3), or those with business in the city who want to unwind at the end of the day. If you want an eco-friendly holiday destination, this is a luxurious and low-impact option for you and your loved ones. You’ll be amazed that such a spot is so handy to civilisation. Far enough away to ‘get away from it all’ yet close enough to head out for fine dining experiences in Hutt, Porirua, Kapiti, and Wellington. Your stay will be memorable with: - Wood fired outdoor bath to soak under the stars - Firepit for toasting marshmallows - Coffee machine - Boutique bottle of fruit wine * - Interesting books to browse - Games and sports equipment to play - Late check out so you can sleep-in on after your last night on the extra comfy bed. Self-cater with the equipped kitchenette (microwave, hotplate, BBQ, fridge, coffee machine, kettle, toaster, tea and coffee, kitchen essentials), or eat out at any of dozens of excellent restaurants, all within 30 minutes drive of the cottage. Your accommodation features a funky retro-styled studio room with great sunlight and views of the valley and river, and a super comfortable double bed. There is a separate space with single bed for another adult or child which flows through to the bathroom. Bathroom has a simple-to-use clivus multrum odourless composting toilet, shower, handbasin, and handcrafted soap. Outdoors, you can enjoy the outdoor bath heated by firewood, and firepit for evening relaxation. Swing on the hammock, get cosy on the outdoor sofa. You can cook alfresco too with the provided Weber BBQ. Take time out from your devices to play supplied games and reconnect with your loved ones. ** What are some of our our eco-credentials? ** We plant a tree for every booking we receive. See some of the plantings yourself around the cottage. Cottage is upcycled, saved from demolition. Minimised building waste for improvements. Solar orientation for passive solar gain. Solar panels to come! Waste water minimised with greywater treatment, and sensible blackwater treatment. Sustainably harvested firewood from on farm for the firepit and outdoor bath. Sweet fresh rainwater for drinking and washing – no added chemicals. We provide eco-friendly cleaners for use during your stay. We encourage you to minimise your rubbish by recycling and repurposing food waste into compost. You can take away a block of hand-crafted low-chemical soap – your piece of the farm to use at home. Edible and medicinal landscaping, and native plants to support the native ecosystem. See how it grows over subsequent visits! We use permaculture principles when growing things - check out the swales in the hay paddock, and talk to us about our planting decisions to meet multiple needs at once. We don't use pesticides or herbicides out on the farm - those aren't weeds, they are habitat restoration nurse crop, building the soil for more desirable species. Guest access Take time to stroll down the steps to the cottage taking in the views. You'll be issued with a pin code to access the property on your booked dates - check your AirBnB welcome email for details. You can enter at any time during your stay with this access code, and keep your belongings secure when you are exploring. No keys to pick up or drop off, and no concern about how late you arrive. If you plan to arrive after dark, let us know and we will leave lights on for you. If you'd like to use the outdoor bath on your first night of accommodation, arrive early to fire up the bath (it can take between 1 and 2 hours to heat, depending on season/weather). Other things to note We have WiFi for your use, or let yourself wind back in time and lock up your devices and enjoy the books and games we provide - it's an excellent way of falling more deeply in love with those you care about. Want to post photos of your stay on social media? Please tag them with #ecofarmstaynz