Located on 12 acres of country farmland, with stunning panoramic views of Akaroa harbour, Kahikatea Retreat is a bliss romantic escape in absolute luxury. Stay just a 5-minute drive away from the beach, sleep under a starlit sky, and enjoy the lavish furnishings in our gorgeous farm cottage. Wainui Bay is just a 30 mintute drive from Akaroa and a 1.5 hour drive from Christchurch International Airport. Take time out to stop and relax in this stunning area of New Zealand. The cottage is a historic and charming one bedroom house, with its own private patio and garden. The bed is an opulent King-sized deluxe bed, for supreme sleeping in absolute comfort. It comes with luxury linen, plush pillows and a beautiful artisan quilt. On top of this, the cottage includes an collection of designer furniture. What’s more, the heart-and-soul cottage is entirely decorated with gorgeous artworks from local artists, depicting the stunning surrounding area. The tiled bathroom includes a shower, toilet, vanity, and an indulgent bathtub - perfect for a candlelit evening. The cottage also comes with a flat-screen TV, a fully-equipped kitchen and a gas fireplace. Once the summer home of renowned writer Armistead Maupin, the property was acquired by his sister, Jane Maupin Yates, and her late husband Joe, in 1993. The cottage was built in 1996 and the table and chairs are where Armistead wrote the original manuscript Tales of the City. Esteemed visitors such as Sir Ian McKellen (who says "Kahikatea rivals Middle-earth") have enjoyed the relaxation of Te Rangi ( which is the cottage). The grandiose, remote surrounding property adds to the retreat’s luxury and leisure. Based on 12 acres of picturesque country farmland, the cottage provides an authentic, rural, New Zealand landscape and experience. Surrounded by the stunning rolling hills of Banks Peninsula, the spectacular panoramic views of Akaroa harbour will inspire you. Just a 30-minute walk away from beautiful Wainui bay, you can enjoy a swim in the cool, blue waters of the harbour. The farm includes extensive gardens, impressive in their scope and exquisite grooming. One particularly remarkable feature in the splendid gardens is the famous Kahikatea tree - 150 years old, and spiritually significant, people travel from all around to visit it. The farm also has an idyllic, tranquil pond and a sparkling, emerald stream running through the property, which cascades into a waterfall, for you to enjoy. A romantic getaway in a remote location, the retreat is not affected by light pollution, so you can lie beneath a sky full of stars. The owners also live on the property, in a historic homestead - however, this is a fair distance from the cottage and privacy is guaranteed. Please note: There is wifi at the cottage but limited cell phone coverage, Vodafone 100%, limited 2 Degrees and Spark requires wifi calling, full coverage is available 5 mins drive down to the bay. We would recommend a 4 wheel drive vehicle in winter. Kahikatea Country Retreat combines leisure and luxury in the best possible way. Enjoy elegance in this beautiful private cottage on dazzling New Zealand farmland.