Featured Properties
Homebush | 2 bed 1 bath $180+/night
Island Escape, Arapawa, Marlborough | 2+ bedrooms | 1 bathroom | up to 10 guests | from $150 ~ $250+/night
Property introduction
Absolute waterfront. No roads, just the garden to cross before you reach the beach and the water! This is the quintessential Kiwi bach getaway!
This is it… off the grid (no electricity), back to basics in the best possible way. Leave behind the TV, the cell phones (if you can) and the stresses of the outside World to while away your days in a true natural paradise! – Oven, stove, refrigerator, freezer and lights are gas operated – This is the outer Marlborough Sounds, Arapawa Island – boat only access.
The bay is only occupied by two other holiday homes – chances are you’ll have this part of the Island all to yourselves! Enjoy fishing, beachcombing, bushwalking and mountain climbing. Or simply kick back and enjoy the sun, National Radio or a National Geos.. Enjoy mountain fed water, board games by candles or gas lanterns, the radio not the telly. Just 30minutes by boat from Waikawa or Picton. Zero minutes to Marlborough Sounds paradise! – Access by boat only (personal boat, water taxi, the post boat). One ton mooring provided (suitable for vessels up to 30ft). Dinghy provided.
Surrounded in native bush, with a burbling stream and wekas running through the property. The immediate area is a bush-walking paradise with a rewarding 2~3hr hike to the top of the hill (one of the highest points on Arapawa Island) giving spectacular views of Tory Channel, East Bay, Long Island marine reserve, back to the head of Queen Charlotte Sounds, across to Ships Cove and even as far away as the Blenheim and North Island coastlines!
Availability Calendar
This chart provides real-time availability, allowing you to select your dates and book and pay to secure your accommodation immediately. You are also welcome to contact us about other payment options, including bank transfers in New Zealand, Australia or Japan, and deposit-secured bookings.
Base rates (shown) are for up to 2 guests. Additional adults are charged at $30/night and additional children (under 16) at $15/night. Homebush is ideal for up to 6 guests, but has a sleeping capacity of 10 guests. We also welcome long-term stays. If your intended stay is longer than 30 days, please contact us for further information.
Please note that an additional $500.00 refundable security deposit (bond) is required with each booking, payable by bank transfer or credit card. Where date of booking is 30 days or less from commencement of your stay, the bond must be submitted at time of booking.
Rental tariffs
| Season Dates | Season Name | Rate (up to 2 guests) | Additional adult | Additional child | Minimum stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-May to 15-Sep | Winter | $150.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 | 2 night |
| 16-Sep to 31-Oct | Spring | $175.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 | 2 night |
| 1-Nov to 14-Dec | Early summer | $200.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 | 2 night |
| 15-Dec to 22-Dec | Summer | $225.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 | 2 night |
| 23-Dec to 4-Jan | Peak | $250.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 | 3 nights |
| 5-Jan to 30-Apr | Summer | $225.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 | 2 night |
Please note that an additional $500.00 refundable security deposit (bond) is required with each booking, payable by bank transfer or credit card. Where date of booking is 30 days or less from commencement of your stay, the bond must be submitted at time of booking.
Property Features
| Alfresco dining | Book collection | Fridge / freezer (medium-sized) | Radio (AM and AM) |
| Absolute waterfront | Clothes line | Fully-equipped kitchen | Shower (proper one) |
| All-day sun | Crystal clear skies (day & night) | Gas cooking & lighting | Shooting stars |
| Barbeque (BBQ) | Cupboard essentials | Hiking | Surrounded by native forest |
| Bath (shub-type) | Dinghy | Island location | Stream-fed water supply |
| Beach-combing | Extra matresses | Linen provided | Toilet |
| Beautiful bird-song | Fantastic star-viewing | Local calling (free) / distance calling (charged) | Wekas and other wildlife |
| Board games | Fishing on your doorstep | Mooring (1t block) | Wet back-fireplace |
Bed configuration
- Master bedroom: King
- Bedroom 2: Single bunk over Queen, Single bunks
- Living area: Double-sofa bed, 2 sofas, 2 matresses
Location Details
Homebush is the name of our family bach located in Sam’s Bay, Arapawa Island at the border between the inner and outer Queen Charlotte Sound. The view is spectacular, looking straight between Bluemine Island on the left and Pickersgill Island on the right, across to Endeavour Inlet and the beginning of the famous Queen Charlotte Track. To the North is Wharehunga Bay, a beautiful deep bay under Department of Conservation management. Immediately behind the bay is the highest peak on the island – an excellent hike and fantastic vantage point over the entire sounds, across Tory Channel and Cook Straight.
Homebush is approximately 30minutes by speed-boat/water-taxi from Waikawa or Picton. Guests without boats typically use one of the following companies via a shared-charter (with others travelling to or from the area) or a full charter arrangement: Endeavour Express, Arrow Water Transport, or Surrounds Sounds.
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Things to do and see near Homebush
- Sam’s Bay Beach (exactly 0km, 0minutes walk)
- Hike to the top of the mountain and trig point
- Beach and shoreline walk to Wharehunga Bay
- Boat trip to Bluemine or Pickersgill Islands
- Boat trip to Ships Cove (Start of the Queen Charlotte Track)(
- Boat trip to the Portage
- Boat trip to East Bay
- Boat trip to Long Island marine reserve
- Boat trip to Motuara Island wildlife reserve
- Boat trip to Outer Queen Charlotte Sound (unrestricted fishing)
- Boat trip to Furneaux Lodge – Restaurant and Bar
- Boat trip to Punga Cove – Restaurant and Bar
- Boat trip to Tory Channel
- Boat trip to Waikawa Wharf and Foreshore Playground (30km, 30min by boat (speed boat or water taxi)
- Boat trip to Waikawa Marina (31km, 30min by boat)
- Boat trip to Picton (35km, 35min by boat)
- Waikawa Marae (2.5km, 25min walk)
- Waikawa River (2km, 20min walk)
- Snout Walkway (3km to start of walkway)
- Picton town Centre (4km, 7min drive)
- Karaka Point (4km, 2~3hr return walk)
- Picton Mall (4.5km)
- Picton Foreshore (4.5km)
- Picton Mini-Putt (4.5km)
- Ferry terminals (Blue Bridge & Interislander ferries) (5km, 10min drive)
- Essons Valley walkway (6km)
- Picton Golf Course (8km, 14min)
- Koromiko (Picton) Airport (12.2km, 20min)
- Governors Bay (15km, 20min)
- Outward Bound (29km, 40min)
- Whites Bay (36km, 40min drive)
- Robin Hood Bay (for surf) (40km, 1hour scenic drive)
- Havelock (41km, 45min scenic drive)
- Blenheim City Centre (33km, 35min drive)
- Pleiades Winery (19km, 30min)
- Berakah Estate (26km)
- Spring Creek Estate (26km)
- Vicarage Lane Wines (27km)
- Walnut Block (27km)
- Cloudy Bay Vineyards (28km)
- Hans Herzog Estate (28km)
- Clifford Bay Estate (38km)
- Montana Wines (40km)
- Tory Channel (20km, 20min by boat)
- Bay of Many Coves (15km, 15min by boat)
- Endeavour Inlet (40km, 40min by boat)
- Sams Bay “Homebush” (30km, 30min by boat)
- Ships Cove (45km, 45min by boat)
- Nelson City Centre (114km, 1hr 30min)
- Haulashore Views (116km, 1hr 34min)
- Franklyn House (117km, 1hr 35min)
- Kaikoura Town Centre (161km, 2hr 5min)
Approximate distances and travel times from Waikawa Bay:
“Whether you call it a holiday home, a bach, a cottage, or a vacation rental, if you are looking for something special – accommodation that will make your Marlborough experience really memorable, then we are sure that Homebush is the perfect home away from home for you…”
