Matakana Retreat - Luxury Off Grid Lodge in Nature

A unique hilltop and off grid eco-chic retreat located amidst 50 acres of mixed forest and native New Zealand bush. If you want a digital detox, this is a magical place to reconnect with nature while enjoying the bird life and beautiful views across the valley all the way to Hauturu / Little Barrier island. The house is a ten minute drive to Matakana Village, where you can enjoy the famous Matakana markets, local foods, wine, coffee and art experiences. The space The Treehouse is a large, open plan home, in the style of a Scandinavian Lodge, with a full country style catering kitchen and large covered deck that overlooks stunning native bush and the Matakana valley beyond - all the way out to the Hauraki gulf. The house contains a master bedroom with a fully equipped ensuite, a large loft space with queen bed, two downstairs double bedrooms one with a queen bed the other with a double lower bunk and single upper bunk. The house and property provide unmatched privacy in the Matakana valley. The comfortable living space is fantastic for families and groups of all ages wanting to enjoy quality time together. It's also a great base to call home if you are attending local events in the area. Within 15 - 30 minutes drive you are on the doorstep of a wide range of Auckland's famously beautiful east coast beaches such as Pakiri and Omaha. The famous Leigh Sawmill is close by as is the Goat Bay Marine Park. You can easily visit and access the fabulous Tawharanui Regional Park where Kiwi spotting at night is a favourite activity. During the day time the stunning golden beaches are also perennial favourite of Aucklanders. On that note we are very sorry but we have had to change our dog friendly policy due to continuing and ongoing abuse of our pet conditions and also because Kiwi Birds have recently been released in the area. Guest access Access to the Matakana Retreat is down a long winding country road, over a bridge, and up a long relatively steep driveway to your completely private getaway. At the top of the driveway is plenty of car parking and space to turn around. The driveway is sealed concrete all the way to the top but its steepness has made some guests nervous. It's really not that bad as long as you take it slowly! If you stay in the house you will have the entire place to yourselves with your only neighbours being the birds and wildlife. There are numerous fantastic outdoor sitting areas and multiple places to relax so you can completely unwind from our usual busy lives and fully enjoy this special environment. Other things to note The house is located on what we are calling an experimental farm and nature reserve. If you want to bring your dog we do ask you keep them under surveillance and don't allow them into the bush where they may harm the thriving birdlife. As we are on a farm there are some natural hazards, for example, there are waterways and a pond, and some steep areas. We ask that you stick to the paths and don't let children near these areas. We also have some farming activities near the house, such as our recently planted banana plantation - and we ask guests to tread carefully around these parts of the property. The house itself is beautifully built and has modern conveniences and satellite internet. This is a private and peaceful retreat with ample solar energy and storage to provide a comfortable and memorable experience. For families we supply a collection of board games and there are two smart tv's. We are slowly improving the land and creating new paths to explore and walk and from which to enjoy the property. We hope you will enjoy this space as much as we do!