A wonderful 5 nights stay here with friends. The 4 of us found the Bach very comfortable, clean and welcoming, even a flower on the dining table! We also enjoyed the position of the Bach, so close to swimming, shop and eating places. We loved living off grid, Great Barrier and the Bach are a world away from normal city living. We found Richard very obliging and easy to communicate with. This is the holiday to wash away the stresses of the modern world, and the daily flyover of the Kaka would agree.

I just back from 6days stay. Both my husband and I were thoroughly enjoyed the stay. Good location, hard wooden floor throughout house and deck, wooden windows and plywood interior, blend in huge Pohutukawa trees outside with white sandy beach and blue sea at the back ground. We felt like a tree house with home comfort. First day we enjoy music, after that we listened to bird songs, sea’s wave. Each bedroom has 4 windows, 2 are ceiling windows, which we gazed stars at famous Great Barrier dark sky in bed. Saw Pereru and Kaka in the tree from the deck. Ceiling shower with hard wooden floor, what a unique experience! One windy day, I was worry wind might come up from the floor, but no wind in the shower! We couldn’t belief owner used hardwood floor shower as they are expensive and needs great care. We enjoy using outdoor barbeque, used as oven to toast chicken, veges, its very quick to get food cooked. We cook the BBQ on the beach side the first day, moved cooker on the other side under the cover when it was windy and raining. Kitchen has two huge sliding doors make the move quick and easy. Solar power, tank water, unable to use toaster, oven and hair dryer, these are the down side staying in Great Barrier island, at the same time, its also unique life style of the island. The house is anything but luxurious, with uniquely charming style, for us, its once a life time experience in Great Barrier way while is clean and comfortable. Able to see some small bean bags and board games and books which is suitable for young family members, feels like owner has guests in mind. Good communications from the owner, manager was polite when came to fill up the gas bottle. We did find some small dusks in the window sill in the bed room and on the dining table on the second day, it appears comes from the ceiling where the different ceiling material meets. I don’t mind about it, I spent a few seconds to clean it every morning. Huge down side is husband now thinking about have a bach at the similar location, planning to buy a similar BBQ. That is expensive holiday if he did end up buying a bach.

The bach is a charming little unit right at the heart of Tryphena. We found it to be the perfect base for exploring the south end of the island and it was so handy having our own walkway to the beach ! We also loved the sky windows in the bedrooms which made for perfect star gazing on a clear night. Sarah K