Boutique River Cabin

Cabin in Tiniroto, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, NZ

100% Recommended•

2 people

No pets

The River Cabin is a private retreat, nestled amongst an old Totara tree glade next to the Hangaroa River. Built from recycled and sustainable materials, this secluded River Cabin is completely off-grid, eco-friendly and insulated. Perfect for your next special occasion, honeymoon, romantic getaway or relaxing break.

Beautifully decorated with your comfort in mind. There is a steaming hot tub to soak and stargaze in, a double hammock and daybed to relax in and private river access for swimming, kayaking and fishing. Something for everyone!

Comfortably sleeps 2 people.
Fully catered options available - featuring farm and local produce.

Located in the beautiful Tiniroto, halfway between Gisborne (approx. 1.5 - 2 hour drive) and Wairoa (approx. 1.5 hour drive).

Time from Airport (please note drive times are currently longer due to damage from Cyclone Gabrielle):

Drive from Auckland Airport ~8 hrs.
Drive from Napier Airport ~3 hrs.
Drive from Gisborne Airport ~1.5 hrs.

IMPORTANT: The Tiniroto Road from Gisborne is currently open ( It was closed after the cyclone March 23 and is still officially closed but our community use this route). You drive through a closed road sign at the 38km mark on the Tiniroto road then through a 2km area of damaged road alongside the river. Continue on Tiniroto road until you see the turnoff to Ruakaka road at the Tiniroto school. Then drive 18 km on Ruakaka road to Mahaanui. DO NOT turn into Ruakaka road at Doneraille park as the bridge is gone.
In very wet weather the easiest route from Gisborne is via Wairoa (SH2), as the road is mostly tar sealed with the exception of Ruakaka Road (18km). Travel time will be approximately 2 to 2.5 hours (one-way).

If you don't want to drive though the closed road at the Hangaroa bluffs on Tiniroto road then there is a bypass route to Tiniroto via the Parikanapa Road which starts at Wae-renga-o-kuri. This is a 23km narrow, winding, gravel road which may be used by forestry trucks between 1 to 10km. So please ensure you drive slowly and stay on the left. Travel time will be approximately 1.5 to 2 hours (one-way).

If coming from the North, the Te Urewera route (SH38) is very scenic; however, it takes longer and has 150km of driving on gravel roads. Travel time will vary depending on your starting location.

Please remember that Parikanapa Road, Ruakaka Road and SH38 (in parts) are long, gravel roads. They are narrow and winding, and can be driven either way, so please drive slowly, stay on the left and expect oncoming traffic and stock at all times. They can also be slippery in some places after rain and are very dark at night.

IMPORTANT: There is currently no access onto Ruakaka Road via the Donneraille Park turn-off (due to the Donneraille Bridge being destroyed during Cyclone Gabrielle). You must enter via the Tiniroto School turn-off.

Cyclists – If you contact us in advance, we may be able to provide boat transport for you and your gear across the Hangaroa River below the Donneraille Park turn-off.

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Features and Amenities

1 bedroom

1 bed

1 bathroom

BBQ

Hammock

Hot tub

Details

Check in after 3:00pm
Check out before 11:00am
Weekday minimum booking: 2 nights
Weekend minimum booking: 2 nights

Cancellation Policy:

Receive a full refund (minus service fee) up until 1 week prior to check-in.

Additional Information

Enjoy the Casual Luxury of the River Cabin:

Queen size bed with 100% cotton luxury bed linen.
Outdoor wood-burning hot tub.
Solar-powered lights and USB ports for music and charging phones. (No WIFI)
Solar-powered fridge - which will be stocked with breakfast supplies.
The kitchen is well-equipped and has basic provisions such as sugar, tea, coffee, spices, oil etc.
A self-cook evening meal with dessert and lunch, from mostly local or farm produce, can be provided for an additional $150 per couple / per night. Subsequent food drops occur once a day between 11am - 12pm.
Gas cooktop elements.
Gas hot water (incl. all taps and the outdoor shower).
Enclosed wood-burning stove. (Wood provided)
Smoke alarms and LPG gas detectors installed.
Radios to communicate with hosts.
Modern ECO Compost Toilet in separate bathroom.
Outdoor BBQ.
Outdoor deck chairs and coffee table.
Complimentary hand knitted wool slippers.
Picnic basket and chilly bin.

Things To Do:

Enjoy private access to the Hangaroa River - have a swim, try your luck fishing or go for a scenic paddle in the double kayak.
Book a Farm Tour for $50 per person (if time allows). A fun, interactive experience that will take you out on the farm (for approx. 2 hrs) to show off the beautiful scenery and views, introduce you to the farm's working dogs, stock mustering and sheep shearing (guests are encouraged to participate!).
Explore the bush trails along the riverbank or venture out through the farm on one of the marked walking tracks.
Laze in the double hammock in the shade or relax on the double daybed.
Board games and books available (perfect for cooler months).

Check In / Out:

Drive to the Mahaanui homestead at 1856 Ruakaka Road, Tiniroto.

Your hosts Simon and Sally will be available majority of the time. If they are not home, they have family and friendly neighbours standing in if you need any help.

Check-In: Ideally between 3 to 6pm. Ahead of time, please let Simon and Sally know your rough time of arrival, so that they can arrange for someone to meet you at the house and take you down to the cabin in a farm vehicle. Your car will remain at the house until your departure.

Check Out: 11 am. Let us know if you want an earlier check out.

Directions:

Mahaanui is located in the beautiful Tiniroto, halfway between Gisborne (approx. 1.5-2 hr drive) and Wairoa (approx. 1.5 hr drive).

IMPORTANT - Please note that there is no access via. the Donneraille Park turn-off on Ruakaka Road (due to the bridge being destroyed during Cyclone Gabrielle), you must enter via. the Tiniroto School turn-off.

CYCLISTS ONLY – Please contact Simon and Sally in advance as they may be able to provide transport across the river below the Donneraille Park turn-off.

Drive Time from Airport:

Drive time from Auckland Airport - 7 hrs 15 mins.
Drive time from Napier Airport - 3mins.
Drive time from Gisborne Airport - 1 hr 30 mins.

Special Conditions:

NO SMOKING INSIDE - however, you may smoke outside (just be mindful of the fire risk).
NO OPEN OUTDOOR FIRES - we love our trees and our cabin and don't want to see them go up in smoke.
Not suitable for pets or children.

Prices

Base Price $345 / night

Finding fulfillment

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Reviews (4)

100% Recommended

Host

Sally

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Tiniroto, Gisborne, New Zealand

2Listings

Simon and I own Mahaanui, a 615 hectare hill country sheep and beef farm in Tiniroto, near Gisborne. We also host guests from NZ and around the world in our Mahaanui cottage and Mahaanui Quarters. We love including them in our farm activities and teaching visitors about farm practices, stock and land management as well as introducing them to our work dogs and pet animals.

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Adventures on the Property

These are the exclusive natural wonders and outdoor activities within the property boundaries.

Private River Access At Your Doorstep

Spend the day swimming and picnic-ing on your own private pretty river right outside the cabin

Farm Walking Trails

Follow one of the two marked trails on your map or you can walk anywhere over the farm but please leave gates as you find them and avoid paddocks with our sire ( huge) bulls in them.

Double Kayak The Hangaroa

The kayak is tied to a tree below the cabin on the rivers edge. Grab your lifejackets and river shoes from the grey bin and paddles and jump aboard for some fun exploring the river. Or kakak across the river for some private sunbathing on the sunny river bank.

Take A Short Walk To Find Some Massive Matai Trees Native To Nz

Take the track at the rivers edge and head right along the trail over a small stream and continue along up couple of hundred metres until you find a fence on your right. Go around the bottom of the fence and then diagonally up 20 m to the Matai trees.

Simons Farm Tour

Join Simon on his interactive farm tour. take a ride in one of our off road vehicles to experience our hill country scenery, watch our working dogs muster stock and have a go at shearing a sheep or two. ( $50 pp)

Incredible Unpolluted Night Skies

Turn off your solar lights, soak in the hot tub or relax on the day bed and gaze up on a clear night at our amazing galaxy, bright stars and absolutely beautiful milky way.

Mountain Bike The Farm Tracks Or Ruakaka Road

Bring your bikes and go for a blat around the 30 km door to door mostly gravel Ruakaka road joining onto Tiniroto road and back down Ruakaka road home via Doneraille park or explore the farm.

Top Of The Farm

Take a walk ( and some h2o) uphill from the cabin to the highest view point on the farm. Enjoy views of our local mountain Whakapunaki and across to the Ureweras where Lake Waikaremoana is located.