With a stay at this vacation home in Pakaraka, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Lake Omapere and Te Waimate Mission House. .This vacation home is 15 mi (24.1 km) from Bay of Islands and 8.3 mi (13.4 km) from Ginns Ngawha Springs.
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Ploughman's Cottage - Bay of Islands Getaway
Welcome to the Ploughman's Cottage - the original Ploughman's cottage on our farm. This delightful cottage is situated amongst a cottage garden, with over 30 fruit trees, and is charmingly decorated and restored.
Conveniently located on State Highway 1, use the cottage as a perfect base for exploring the Bay of Islands and Northland - with Kerikeri and Paihia 20 minutes away, and the beautiful beaches of Matauri and Te Ngaere Bay just 45 minutes away. Kawakawa and the rail trail to Opua is 20 minutes down the road.
Explore the stunning sand dunes and wild rugged beaches of the West Coast with Hokianga Harbour only 45 minutes drive from the cottage.
Just 10 minutes up the road from the cottage are the Ngawha Springs - natural rustic thermal springs which boast an array of healing remedies!
After exploring and adventuring - retreat to your cottage and while away the afternoon enjoying the cottage garden.
Come and enjoy Northland and the Bay of Islands - whilst staying in a beautiful historic cottage in one of the earliest settlements in New Zealand.
Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, which features a fireplace. Conveniences include a refrigerator and a microwave.
Take in the views from a garden.
Guests will find features like internet access.
Property manager
Fiona Murray
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the house: Internet access
Food and drink
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Entertainment
TV
Outdoor areas
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Location highlights
Near the bay
Things to do
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Garden
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property is also known as
The Ploughman's Cottage - Bay of Islands Getaway Pakaraka
Ploughman's Cottage - Bay of Islands Getaway Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 47 reviews
10 - Excellent
42
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 47 reviews
8 - Good
3
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 47 reviews
6 - Okay
2
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Amenities
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Sharon B.
10 Apr 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
A delightful rural cottage
We had a delightful week in this 1860s cottage. It has been fitted out very comfortably and is surrounded by beautiful gardens including a variety of fruit trees. Fiona is a wonderful host, who responds promptly. It’s a 20 minute drive from the touristy offerings of Piahia and the busier Kerikeri so if you’re wanting shops and restaurants on your doorstep this may not be for you. If you enjoy the peace and quiet of the lush green countryside the you’ll love this cottage
Sharon B.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kylie S.
9 Mar 2025
Kylie S.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
2 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Family Visit
Very charming, welcoming cottage & gardens, all the comforts incl pantry staples, beautiful kauri floors & enjoyed the open fire. Perfect hosts. Close to Kerikeri, Ngawha hot pools & significant historical sites. Would have stayed longer if time permitted.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
11 Apr 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Trip to Nee Zealand
House was a lovely old house that has been added on to. Would have loved to know the history and stories of people who lived there. Beautiful area around the home. Was lovely to have access to laundry. Overall a very nice stay.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Cherry W.
12 Mar 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Stepping Back In Time
My hubby and I had a lovely stay at this gorgeous cottage. It was like stepping back in time to my childhood growing up on a farm with paddocks full of delicious fruit trees. So much fruit to sample, and magic wondering around all the paddocks. Fiona was a lovely host and came to meet us with her wee son on day we were leaving. Close enough this accommodation is for easy drives to Kerikeri to explore but far enough away to enjoy the countryside. Would highly recommend this holiday property.
First of all Fiona was really good for communication as she has been spontaneous for all the messages sent. Moreover she was really understanding when we were running little late to leave the cottage.
Property has all the amenities which we expect from one house name it from coffee machine to blender to cooking utensils and many more.
Quiet place and very drivable location from near around other tourist places.
Vijay vardhan
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Owen G.
26 Dec 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous garden, lovely cottage
Enjoyable and peaceful stay over Christmas. The cottage had everything we needed, and is comfortable and quirky. There are fruit trees in the giant garden (lemons! plums!). It is just off the main highway, and was a good base for Bay of Islands and the Northland. ❤️
Owen G.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
10/10 Excellent
Felicity B.
2 Dec 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Returning guests
We stayed at the ploughman cottage in 2019 and fell in love with the place. It was just as delightful this time. A very special place in the north. A treat to come back.
Felicity B.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
6/10 Okay
Jenny H., Narre Warren Victoria Australia
16 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Farmhouse in Bay of Islands region
Elderly person struggled a bit with internal steps; was difficult to locate the property - GPS failed to locate accurately and difficult to see any signage, particularly at night. Grateful to get accommodation at short notice after previous host cancelled at last minute. Clean, good sized house in rural location.
Jenny H.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Stacey V.
19 Apr 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Country dream
We were away 2 nights for work
Lovely place, peaceful an quiet
Great communication with host
Dropped our stuff off early
fee packed colds into fridge
An took out bags in
We really appreciated it
Highly recommend
Great place to stay
A+
🙂
Stacey V.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Ruweka R.
28 Feb 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful country cottage
We had a lovely stay at Fiona’s property. Beautiful cottage with everything we needed.
Would definitely recommend staying here!
Ruweka R.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023
10/10 Excellent
Derek H.
19 Feb 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Pakaraka Jewel
Cosy, quaint and very comfortable. Excellent base for exploring the Bat of Islands area.
Derek H.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
20 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely cottage in excellent location
We loved our 2 nights at this beautiful old cottage. Close to bay of Island activities. Everything about the stay was perfect. Lots of plums ripe in orchard. Thanks for letting us enjoy your cottage.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Adrian G.
17 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
The cottage is well beautifully decorated with a lovely garden full of fruit trees. The beds are very comfortable with excellent quality bedding and linen. The facilities are good with a well appointed kitchen and laundry . We very much enjoyed pur stay despite the poor weather.
Adrian G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Ashna K.
5 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cottage and a wonderful experience!
We were 4 friends holidaying in Paihia and our stay at the property immensely added to the experience and our memories!
We loved it and the fruit orchards were amazing. Would love to be back :)
Best,
Ashna K.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Anne O.
13 Dec 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous cottage set in beautiful garden
Beautifully looked after cottage in english-like garden with fruit trees. A delight! Friendly hosts - we just stayed a night but would have loved to have stayed on.
Anne O.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
geoff a.
19 Nov 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Dream cottage
It was the perfect sanctuary to come back to after our mahi i te tai tokerau . Full of love and never an ordinary or boring place. We all wanted to stay longer. He kainga ataahua.
geoff a.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
eric f.
25 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet night away from home
Perfect place to enjoy a nice home cooked meal and sit in the garden. The fireplace was lovely once the evening chill set in. Had a very lovely time and plan on coming back :)
eric f.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Grant N.
19 Feb 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect retreat to the country
Lovely cottage that is well equipped sitting in the countryside. Perfect retreat to chill out at plus positioned close enough to all the tourist attractions northland has to offer. Wonderful hosts and extremely helpful. Definitely recommend
Grant N.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022
10/10 Excellent
Rochelle I.
28 Dec 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Cottage
Loved our short stay at the Ploughman’s Cottage. So clean and tidy and full of character the cottage and well kept gardens are beautiful. We will be back for sure!
Rochelle I.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
10/10 Excellent
Neica S.
5 Nov 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent location
Good location great place very nice hosts so helpful
Neica S.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021
10/10 Excellent
Rikki Ann H., Wellington
5 Jun 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Charming country cottage
We picked this accomodation due to it's proximity to Ngawha Springs and the Bay of Islands, also the log fire as ours was a winter holiday. It was certainly warm enough once the fire was going, with plenty of other heating options and electric blankets in addition. As the floors are not carpeted, I would recommend bringing slippers or ugg boots for inside wear if staying in winter. We enjoyed mandarins and feijoas, jonquils and the cute chickens and bunny rabbits in the garden. Unfortunately I did not sleep well as I found the queen bed very hard, but was able to bulk it up somewhat with a spare duvet. Linens were lovely, and lots of fresh towels available. Fee was easy to communicate with and kindly allowed us a late check out on our last day. Overall a good experience.
Rikki Ann H.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
10/10 Excellent
Lara W.
16 May 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful stay in a beautiful cottage
My partner and I stayed at this gorgeous cottage for our honeymoon. Fiona was more than accommodating and allowed us to get ready there for the wedding and have some photos taken on the property. It was a beautiful stay and we are so keen to come back!
Lara W.
10/10 Excellent
Beth v.
14 Feb 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Cutest cottage, incredible orchard and a personal tour!
We had the most fabulous time at Fee's place! The house is lovely, and has everything you need. The orchard was terrific, and we had eggs from the hens too. More than all that, Fiona gave us a great tour to the waterfall, and showing us interesting historical features too. We just had the best time, and look forward to coming back one day, with our friends!
Beth v.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2021
10/10 Excellent
Vanessa R.
13 Jan 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
A quaint cottage
A lovely gentle farm stay in a delightful wee cottage. A step back in time. Good cooking and washing facilities. Comfortable beds. Delicious fruit trees and eggs from free range hens. We enjoyed our brief but charming stay here.