These notes are designed to help you plan for your stay.

Food

You will need to take supplies of fresh food and drink with you. There is a shop (Dairy) at Oakura which stocks most things, although fresh vegetables are often in short supply. The store is good for milk, bread, tinned food, cereal, ice cream (all at premium prices), newspaper (if you’re desperate for news). There is also a basic take-away/café. They make fresh bread, fish and chips and other meals.

There are two fridge/freezers at the house for your use with enough refrigerated storage for two families for a week or more.

Pantry

Our pantry is well stocked with all the basics you need to do your cooking etc. You are welcome to use these supplies – just replace any items that you finish or are in danger of running out. i.e. we ask that you to make a contribution to make up for what you use.

Sheets, pillow slips and towels

The beds are all made up plus there are extra spare sheets and towels in the hot water cupboard which you can use. Extra blankets are in the small bedroom wardrobe if needed.

Water

The water supply is tank water and we’ve always found it safe to drink. It's filtered plus there is a drinking water filter at the kitchen sink. In summer please conserve water where practical. In the past we have had kids forget to turn off the outside shower and run the tank dry in just a few hours.

Barbeque

The barbeque is stored in the boat shed (the small lean-to building attached to the north side of the garage). We leave it outside ready for use during the summer season. You are welcome to use the barbeque.

Phone, mobile reception and internet access

There is a telephone in the holiday house which you are welcome to use. Any toll charges are billed to your credit card after your stay. If you’re desperate to work while on holiday the phone line works with the Internet giving you a reliable Internet connection. There is excellent reception in the house for both Telecom and Vodafone mobile networks.

Kayaks and Boogie Boards

You are welcome to use the three kayaks, life jackets and assorted boogie boards.

Outdoor furniture

Inside the holiday house you’ll find a blue lounger and various wooden outdoor seats. There are two outside tables with chairs for outside dining seating 10+.

Entertainment

We believe that to have a complete break away from reality means leaving the TV, radio and newspapers at home! Thus the only entertainment system you will find is a good quality CD stereo in the lounge and another in the master bedroom. Remember to take a selection of CDs with you. There is a 12" portable TV available for TV addicts - find it in the bedroom wardrobe. It receives channels 1, 2 and 3.

We leave many books and recent magazines for your enjoyment during your stay. There are also a number of board games (monopoly, scrabble etc), lots of kids toys, cricket bat, petanque set etc.

General security

It pays to be vigilant and bring in all personal belongings each night. We ask that you lock the boat shed each night and leave the garage locked overnight during your stay. You should lock the house doors before retiring to bed each night – leaving windows open is fine.

Rubbish disposal

Rubbish is collected from outside the gate on Monday and Friday mornings over summer, and Monday only at other times. Our caretaker will remove your rubbish - just leave it in the bin supplied.

Laundry

There is an automatic washing machine and dryer located in the laundry in the garage.

Cleaning on departure

We provide a cleaning service to launder sheets and towels, remake beds, clean bathrooms, floors etc after your departure. Let's face it - you are on holiday and spending the last day cleaning is not fun for anyone!

Walks

There are a number of nice walks that you can do. Here’s a selection.

Oakura Beach

Take a walk right along Oakura Beach. Takes 20 minutes each way. At mid tide and lower, you can continue walking to the south around a couple more small bays. At the rocks at the end of the second bay is a rock pool which is a similar size to a family swimming pool and over 6’ deep – it is very nice!

Ohawini Bay

Follow the road over the hill behind our beach house any time except right on high spring-tide and you can walk along several lovely sandy beaches. If you’re keen, and the tide is out, you can keep walking and go along seven beaches!

Goat Island

When you look out from the beach house, the peninsula/island at the North end of Oakura is lovely to explore between half tide to low tide. Watch the tide as you can get quite wet if paddling back from ¾ tide upwards! Take the harbour side and climb around the rocks. Towards the end there is a cute little sandy beach. There are numerous tracks along the ridge line and around the island. Some are quite treacherous with cliff drops below you so be very careful and don't let young children go alone. Kids young and old love Goat Island!

Enjoy your stay in paradise!

New Zealand Holiday Home Booking Form