Gully hideaway apartment

Kia ora & thanks for checking out our little piece of paradise. Right on the edge of Ranfurly gully, our little apartment is close to everything, offering privacy, peace & a little luxury. We're down a long drive, at the end of a cul de sac, so you’ll wake to native bird song from the gully, not traffic noise. Whether you're working, on holiday, here for an event, seeking a calm oasis or looking for a romantic rendezvous, the Hideaway is a lovely place to stay. The space The 30m2 renovated apartment features cool white walls, lofty trusses, recycled native timber & hardwood finishes. It’s insulated & double glazed, with a heat pump for a cool respite in summer & cosy warmth in winter. We're TV-free, but there's unlimited wifi with fast fibre. The bedroom has a queen bed with nice linen (guests tell us it's v-e-r-y comfy), and drawers to put your clothes should you feel the need. The living room has a couch & table, but the main feature is nature itself - a lovely peaceful intimate view out through the gully, where native birds sing & your eyes are treated to every shade of green. There’s also a small deck where you can relax on warm evenings, soaking up the gully ambience. The kitchenette includes a fridge, convection/microwave & induction hob, tea, Raglan Roast coffee, organic milk & everything you need to self cater (byo food & wine). The bathroom has a newly renovated boujee tiled shower with a skylight that opens to the stars, with gas-heated water for extended showers. We have an ongoing project restoring our bit of the gully, transforming it from a jungle of invasive weeds into a green paradise of birdsong & native flora. Rain or shine, Callie and Hana (her friend/landscape designer/gardener) put many hours into it each week, clearing weeds, establishing pathways and planting literally hundreds of native seedlings. The Hideaway plays an essential role in the gully project - $30 from each night of your stay is invested in Hana's time, & new plants. Guest access The apartment is adjacent to the main house, with off-street parking and access. You have complete, private use of the apartment during your stay. Other things to note Your hosts are locals. Jeff potters around & fixes things. Callie loves gardening & is interested in permaculture & gully restoration. We both love to travel, enjoy food & wine and meeting people from all parts of the globe. Trev the cat is a black & white ball of charm & occasional energy. The gully is home to a bunch of NZ’s native bird species. The tui is an amazing songbird, broadcasting its mellifluous tones from gully treetops. Fantails (piwakawaka) swoop & dive in the afternoons & around sunset. Moreporks are our native owl. Also known as Ruru, their distinctive mournful call (“ruuuuru ruuuuru”) can often be heard in the dead of night. Kotares (Kingfishers) visit from time to time, as do Pipiwharauroa (shining cuckoos) . Recently, Pukeko have started inhabiting the gully too. You'll hear their raucous call in the evenings. There's a stream at the bottom of the gully. However it's very boggy and jungly below the apartment, so we recommend sticking to the paths through the nearby council reserve (ask us, or search for "ranfurly gully" on youtube). This is New Zealand so don't worry about snakes, poisonous insects or other dangerous creatures. But do be aware if you stay in our apartment you’ll be up close & personal with nature. That means sometimes an occasional daddy long legs spider or native bush cockroach will put in an appearance – both harmless & signs of a healthy ecosystem.