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Paul Olsen
Travelled the world for 11 years, now enjoying life in beautiful Northland, New Zealand.
The Guest House at Ara Roa is nestled high on the hillside. Totally wrapped in kiwi nature, the house offers the ultimate in peace, privacy and luxury.
The Guest House at Ara Roa is the ultimate retreat for a few days away or is often chosen as the destination for an extended vacation or honeymoon. Combining contemporary architecture and a high quality modern interior design, it is a unique luxury retreat in Northland. The custom built Guest House is perfectly positioned high on a bush clad hillside; allowing fantastic views to the Pacific Ocean and country vistas. Cleverly designed by local Architect Felicity Christian the house is designed to maximize the stunning views.
If you manage to book in for a few days or for that once in a lifetime vacation here are a few ideas on what you can do with your days.
Whangarei Heads is a peninsula of 6000 ha running from outstanding coastal beaches and bays to towering 20 million year old volcanic peaks dominated by Mt Manaia at 460 m. Containing one of the country’s premier forest reserves, the Peninsula is renowned for it’s natural landscape and rare flora and fauna. A number of outstanding bush and coastal walkways cater for a wide range of abilities, with lengths from a stroll to a full days walk. You can of course also do walks on the property. Comprehensive info on all walks provided.
The 6-kilometre stretch of un-touched Pacific Coastline reaching from Bream Head Scenic Reserve to Kauri Mountain must truly be one of Whangarei District’s best-kept secrets. You will most likely either have this beach all to yourself or at most will meet a couple of local surfers or fishermen “in the know”. The Te Ara Roa pathway follows this beach so there’s access both north and south via this track.
This unique coastal community offers a clear water sandy estuary and glorious Ocean Beaches joined by a classic Kiwi footbridge. If it is low tide we can guide you on where to go “cockle-hunting” and at high tide during the summer, you might want to watch the local kids jump off the bridge – or perhaps join in on the fun! Swim, fish, surf, play and explore.
We have over the years hosted visitors lucky enough to kayak with the Dolphins in the Taiharuru estuary and can offer you the kayak experience free of charge. We can’t guarantee the dolphins but you are sure to see plenty of fish and bird life. During the summer months kayaking and swimming in this clear water is as close to being in tropical waters as it gets.
Recent review from Tripadvisor:
“We waited over 18 years for this, it being the destination for our 25th wedding anniversary. We were not disappointed and in fact in exceeded our high expectations. We took the lazy weekend option at the Guest House. The food was delivered to our door and it was amazing. Better than any restaurant and not short on quantity. We had enough food for lunch and dinner the following day! Newspaper & hot croissants delivered for breakfast. And plenty of bacon & eggs in the fridge to cook up. The Guest House is beautifully appointed and perfect for couples (has a 2nd b/room & could sleep 5). Its massive sweeping views are mesmerizing. It is very private and the only sounds you can hear is the bird life. There are many little extras that help make your stay comfortable and special. Lots of food condiments, quality coffee, dishwasher, cleaning supplies, books, magazines, CDs, DVDs etc. The bath has a lovely glassed (private) outlook over bush land. BBQ on the decking. Garden & grounds well presented & maintained. A path was freshly mowed to a lookout viewpoint and there is also a short forest trail leading from behind the guesthouse. The owners are professional and friendly and certainly know how to treat their guests. A compendium full of information let us decide on which day walks we wanted to take. We could not recommend Ara Roa more highly. The highly respected Greenwood Guides give it a great wrap. http://www.greenwoodguides.com/new-zealand/accommodation.aspx?page=55 Thankyou so much Susanne and Paul”
Stayed May 2011, traveled as a couple
We look forward to hosting you at The Guest House @ Ara Roa
A world away from it all. Private and secluded self contained accommodation 5 minutes drive from sheltered waterways & white sandy beaches. This special relatively undiscovered location offers a unique Northland experience.
By Kate Malcolm