There’s a certain feeling of peace and relaxation that comes from getting lost in nature. A feeling usually found at the end of a long hike deep into the bush; rarely have we found a place capable of capturing that feeling of remote freedom until we discovered Ponga Iti Cabin. It felt like we were alone, deep in the wilds when, in reality, we were minutes from some of the most spectacular beaches the Coromandel Peninsula has to offer.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by sounds of cicadas in the trees and an outdoor kitchen awash with the golden rays of the sun filtering through the treetop canopy. A small path leading into the bush invited us in and we soon found the Ponga Iti Cabin, cradled in the grasp of the forest. We spent our evening watching the sun as it set across the horizon until the only light remaining was the single solar lamp that illuminated the cabin with a pale glow.

The next morning we beat the sun to Cathedral Cove, claiming the beach as our own as we left the first footprints of the day in the sand. We continued our adventures the following day, spade in hand, as we headed to Hot Water Beach and soaked in a hot pool of our own construction until the sun was high in the sky.

From sunrise to sunset we spent our weekend enjoying the outdoors, from golden sand to panoramic views. Returning to Ponga Iti cabin was always a welcome escape to the bush and after a long day, we couldn’t imagine a better place to relax, unwind and breathe in the cool air of the forest.