Story by Bri
Retreat in the Countryside
Adventure in Hikurangi, Northland & Bay of Islands, NZ
Sitting high up on a hill, overlooking rolling fields of green sits Marua Retreat. Surrounded by farm life and native bush, this wee cabin on the hill was an absolute dream to experience for a few days and was the perfect opportunity to sit back and relax.
After months apart, my best friend Lauren and I were well overdue for a trip away. We packed the truck and headed North, to a part of Northland that I had never explored before. When we arrived at the top of the hill up an old farm track, we were absolutely blown away. The view was incredible, the cabin was perfect and had everything you need: fresh fruits and eggs from the farm, books and board games, and a separate outdoor bathroom with a shower that looked out into the bush.
We watched the sun rise and set each morning and night from the kitchen or from the deck down at the bathhouse/bbq area. We spent our days eating fruit salad and reading books down at the beach or exploring the farm by foot; the nights were spent playing cards, enjoying the outdoor bath and toasting marshmallows, catching up and telling stories about the good ol' days....
After months apart, my best friend Lauren and I were well overdue for a trip away. We packed the truck and headed North, to a part of Northland that I had never explored before. When we arrived at the top of the hill up an old farm track, we were absolutely blown away. The view was incredible, the cabin was perfect and had everything you need: fresh fruits and eggs from the farm, books and board games, and a separate outdoor bathroom with a shower that looked out into the bush.
We watched the sun rise and set each morning and night from the kitchen or from the deck down at the bathhouse/bbq area. We spent our days eating fruit salad and reading books down at the beach or exploring the farm by foot; the nights were spent playing cards, enjoying the outdoor bath and toasting marshmallows, catching up and telling stories about the good ol' days....
Things We Did
- Walk
- Beach
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
We've plotted our adventure on the map below. Select the map icons to discover more details.
Share The Love
Add this story to your bucket list or gift it to someone you think deserves it!
Book Our Adventure
Book through this story to receive our itinerary and extra tips to help you live your adventure to the fullest.
What are Riparide Stories?
Riparide Stories are authentic experiences shared by real travelers (who are handy with a camera). It's like reading your best friend's travel journal - packed with photos, honest reviews and visual itineraries.