We Like It Cosy
COSY RETREATS, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Less famous than our glaciers but worth exploring! Chances are that West Coast winters are not what you suspect — warmer than the other side of the Southern Alps, drier than our other seasons.
Indoors or outdoors, winter’s a pretty special time on the Coast. Crisp clear days, intense sunsets, snug fireside dinners, smokey wood fired hot tubs, superb night skies. The roar of the ocean, or the quiet stillness of mist over a lake. Get ready to cosy up.
For coastal explorers — Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation
Wild beaches are an adventure any time of the year and Gentle Annie is a beach resort for every season because, along with camping and motor home sites, there are cabins and cosy cottages.
Roomy 2-storey Cabbage Tree Cottage comfortably sleeps six. On an elevated site, set among nikau palms and rata trees, it has wide views of the beach. There’s plenty of wood and a toasty wood burner / gas fire upstairs in the open plan living which includes a well equipped kitchen and balcony to catch those fabulous West Coast sunsets. Guests can also stoke up the pizza oven down at the main camp to cook their own.
Travel Tips: Gentle Annie is at Mokihinui, 47 minutes north of Westport, less than an hour over the hill to Karamea. Take a fascinating guided tour of the mining operation at Stockton with Outwest Tours.
Te Aka Treehouse
For a dream holiday — Te Aka Treehouse, Nelson Creek
You might need to pinch yourselves in this hideaway tree house. Off-grid Te Aka Treehouse is a cosy little nest perched in the trees above an old gold-mining gully. Explore the old relics and creek hop by day then throw a log on the fire and snuggle up by night.
Your self-contained home sleeps four in two cabins with floor to ceiling windows into the trees. Curl up on the comfy couch, spread out on the large deck, toast your toes by the fire and enjoy home-made goodies in the kitchen. Wake to the morning chorus, enjoy the view from the bath tub or lie in bed watching the stars above.
But the piece-de-resistance for a wintertime stay might just be that new timber sauna in the trees below. Take a dip in the refreshing (icy!) spring fed pool, then shut the door and stretch out in the heat.
Travel tips: From Te Aka Treehouse Greymouth, Shantytown, Blackball and Punakaiki are all within a 30- to 60-minute drive. Nearby there are easy short walks starting at Nelson Creek and to Coal Creek Falls Track.
Travel tips: From Te Aka Treehouse Greymouth, Shantytown, Blackball and Punakaiki are all within a 30- to 60-minute drive. Nearby there are easy short walks starting at Nelson Creek and to Coal Creek Falls Track.
For family gathering — Sailors Catch, Hokitika
Time for a family gathering? Make yourselves at home in the newly minted Sailor’s Catch — an artful retreat in Hokitika that will delight all the family. It’s right on the beachfront and a few steps from town so there’s always something to do. A rainy day is a good excuse to meet the locals at the National Kiwi Centre or create your own pounamu treasure at Bonz n Stonz.
Take the entire house (8 beds) or just upstairs — Little Sailor’s Catch (sleeps 5). Parents will love the gas fire, twin outdoor bathtubs and fire pit; kids will adore the secret playroom stocked with toys and creative inspiration. Go fossicking on the beach, watch the sun go down over the Tasman Sea from the best balcony on the coast!
Travel tips: Week night dinners, Sunday lunches with live music at ‘the Woodie’ are a local fave, or sunset drinks at the Beachfront Hotel. Find great salads at newly opened Alchemy & Storm.
For creatives — Punakaiki Forest Retreat
Tiny, perfectly formed Punakaiki Forest Retreat is a 2-bedroom design gem nestled amidst rustling nikau palms. This snug but surprisingly spacious 36 sq m has all you could wish for in an indoor-outdoor retreat. And it feels so much bigger with soaring ceilings, big windows and earthy materials drawing the outside in.
Snuggle up by the fireplace, lounge on the sunny terrace or bliss out in the bijou outdoor bath. Listen to the rhythm of the ocean and gaze up into the universe by night. Cook simple meals in the kitchenette, or dine out at Punakaiki Resort Hotel. Explore trails in Paparoa National Park and hidden worlds in the acclaimed Paparoa Experience.
Travel tips: Punakaiki Forest Retreat is near Punakaiki Beach and the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Punakaiki is about halfway between Greymouth (47 km) and Westport (57 km).
For romantics — The Brewer's Night Inn, Reefton
Let your romantic out and go back in time in historic Reefton where careful reimagining of an 1870s pioneer cottage has transformed The Brewer's Night Inn into the ultimate destination stay for curious travellers. Think original features, moody style and rustic elements blended with contemporary comforts.
Designed as a romantic sanctuary for two, the little cottage has a warm, intimate open plan layout. Lie back in the large concrete soak tub in the Victorian-inspired bathroom, while listening to music from the curated vinyl collection.
Travel tips: Discover remnants of Reefton’s past at the replica gold mine and the Bearded Miners on Broadway. Taste award-winning local gin at the Reefton Distilling Co and tuck into genuine Naples-style pizza at Bassano Pizza Parlour.
For caring luxury — Lake Brunner Eco Lodge
Angling for wilderness or luxe? You can have both at gracious Lake Brunner Eco Lodge on the southern banks of the West Coast’s biggest lake, a tranquil haven famed for its trout fishery and wilderness setting.
On a rise just above the lake, the family-run 1939s California bungalow style lodge, has panoramic bay windows and a verandah to enjoy the views. Relax in the bar, play billiards and darts in the games room, and enjoy the open fire. With no light pollution anywhere close, night skies are spectacular. Stay toasty in the private hot tub while gazing into the universe, or go on a guided after-dark glow worm adventure.
Travel tips: Dine in and, if you catch a trout, they can cook it for you. Lake Brunner Eco Lodge is a 45-minute drive from Arthur’s Pass or Hokitika.
For full-on adventurers — Ghost Lodge
Full on winter-time adventurers will find comfy digs to spread out in at Ghost Lodge in Granity. This restored historic butcher’s shop is superbly placed for adventures — serious mountain biking on the Old Ghost Road (OGR) Trail or thrilling underground adventures, further afield in the Oparara Valley, near Karamea.
Come home to a cosy retreat — leather couches around the log burner fire, a pool table and super comfy beds. Cook up a storm in the fully equipped kitchen or enjoy hearty pub fare at the Ngakawau Tavern. The beach is at the end of the garden, along with two hot tubs and a sauna. What’s not to like?
Travel Tips: Granity is 25 minutes north of Westport, less than an hour over the hill to Karamea.
