Secluded Rural Retreat + Beaches + Critters + Fun!

Description from the owner

Our Macadamia Nut Orchard is 1.5 hours drive north of Auckland, just five minutes off State Hwy 1 and within easy driving distance to several fabulous beaches. Barachel Orchard is nestled in the green hills of Northland amongst mature macadamia trees. In nearby Waipu village there are cafes, restaurants and take-aways as well as all essential convenience stores, a renowned apothecary and herbalist/naturopath who I can vouch for with both myself and my animals as patients.

You will be sharing our home and your accommodation is comfortable and relaxing with the King bedroom opening on to a small deck and through to the fenced pool and BBQ... area. It contains plenty of cupboard space, a substantial chest of drawers, bedside lamps and a heater. Even Northland can get chilly at times. The second bedroom has a single bed with pull-out trundle (more suited for children or young adults), a desk with drawers and a single closet. Both rooms have garden views. The bathroom with shower over the bath (terrific pressure!) has 'accessable' rails. The guest 'suite' is at the opposite end of the house from ours which gives you absolute privacy but should you want more information or just a chat we're never far away. You will have free access to fast wireless internet and a large library of books and DVDs as well as an assortment of board games. We take only one party of guests at a time affording you the utmost privacy.

We started planting our macadamia nut orchard in 1986. Tom had a 'day job' in Whangarei while Sylvienne busied herself on the property and running the B&B.; For over ten years they owned and operated a fine art gallery in Whangarei's Town Basin as well as one in Auckland city for a few years but now the focus is on orchard maintenance and production of the world's most prestigious nut.

We lived in Auckland prior to moving to our country paradise and having been passionate all my life about everything furred, feathered or finned I grabbed the opportunity to indulge myself in pets of various sorts so please don't visit if you're allergic to dogs, cats, equines or birds. Our roosters and guinea fowl double as great alarm clocks, being much more pleasant than rubbish trucks, trains or tipsy revelers all of which have kept us awake in quite flash hotels. However if the crowing gets a bit much we can supply you with earplugs!

Our parking areas can accommodate RVs and horse-floats if necessary and we could even find a safe grazing area for your equine. Babes in arms are welcome but the property is a working orchard and as such is not safe for young children. We offer special discounts to holders of senior citizens cards worldwide.

The continental breakfast would consist of home-made breads, muesli, dairy and non-dairy milk, yoghurt, fresh fruit, juice, home-made marmalade from our grapefruit tree, orchard honey, and tea or coffee. When our chickens are in laying mode we can offer you delicious free range eggs alongside the ham and cheese.

The Waipu Museum is considered by some to be the best small museum in the country. Although essentially a Scottish town the area has a very special connection with Nova Scotia. In the early 19thC Scottish Highlanders escaped the infamous clearances and headed for Nova Scotia but after a couple of decades of dreadful weather, famine and illness they built more ships and set sail for the Antipodes. They had planned to settle in Australia but found the wild gold mining city of Melbourne too "debauched" for their proper Presbyterian characters so set off for New Zealand - end of story; they couldn't go any further... Antarctica? Tierra del Fuego? The Caledonian Games held annually at the beginning of January is the longest running event of that nature held outside of Scotland. And you should see Rugby played in Kilts!

BTW Aotea spray-free macadamias will be available if not sold out - the yummiest nut ever!

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Additional Location Information

We are 5 minutes from State Highway 1 on an elevated north-facing site with extensive valley views and a peak of the Whangarei Heads. Wonderful surf, swimming and fishing beaches are within an easy drive and are never crowded even at the height of summer. Historic and beautiful Bay of Islands is a pleasant day trip as are the wild west coast and kauri forests. Waipu village with all the shopping requirements you will need is only 10 minutes drive away. Waipu golf-course is an all-weather links within a 20 minute drive and right on the coast.

Guests can enjoy wonderful scuba diving and snorkeling around the Poor Knights Islands, a world renowned marine sanctuary giving you contact with both cold water species as well as tropical fish.

Also available close by are fishing and boating charters and for the more adventurous, access to kite-surfing lessons on fabulous Bream Bay. The local Waipu Golf Course is a true all weather links with great views. Just 30 minutes drive away is the renowned Matakohe Museum where you can easily spend two or three hours, gaining great insights into Northland's early days particularly in relation to the timber and kauri gum industry. There is no shortage of things to do!

If you miss your pets ours would love to make you feel at home! Should you feel like putting on your country gear you might even enjoy pottering around the orchard with pruners or whatever!

There's plenty of parking space but should you prefer not to self-drive you can take a very pleasant bus trip from Auckland or any other location to Waipu village and we would meet you with our car.

Location Type Away from it all, Beach, Rural

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

Free washer and dryer use if staying 3 nights or more plus single use of BBQ and kitchen.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Chris Powney
  Melbourne, Australia

  Friendly Hosts and Relaxing atmosphere

  Left on 11/24/2012 for a stay in November 2012
  
  

  I stayed at Barachel Ochard B&B; over 2 nights in November 2012 and was certainly not disappointed by the experience. Upon arriving late afternoon, I was warmly welcomed by hostess Julienne, who showed me to my lovely room and offered me freshly baked biscuits to boot. I was then shown around the farm, meeting the menagerie of different creatures she and her partner Tom look after on their property (chickens, guinea fowl, dogs, horses, a mule, a donkey and cat). They were only too happy to sit and have a casual chat, and also provide plenty of advice on great sightseeing in the area and great places to eat (BTW the local Waipu Pizza Barn is a fantastic option). They also produce some fantastic macadamia nuts. Did I mention that they put together a pretty mean breakfast (which includes some home-grown produce in the mix). I can strongly recommend considering the Barachel Orchards B&B; as a place to stay if you're visiting the Bream Bay/Waipu region. A small warning though - be prepared to be woken by roosters in the morning!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Luxury

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• Geno
  lyon France

  sympathique

  Left on 11/24/2012 for a stay in November 2012
  
  

  nous avons apprécié cette halte dans la verdure, les hotes sont très agréables et nous avons dégusté le Breakfast "maison"

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  Recommended for: Disabilities, Families, Rugged

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• Liz
  Brooklyn

  What a gorgeous orchard & a fabulous B&B;!!

  Left on 11/14/2012 for a stay in November 2012
  
  

  We loved our stay at Barachel Orchard!! The farm is beautiful and a delight to explore. Sylvienne and Tom went above and beyond to make our stay a real pleasure (fresh macadamia nuts & homemade honey!) Our time just hanging out with them is one of our favorite New Zealand memories. The animals charmed us, especially Brighty the donkey :) This B&B; is great for animal lovers looking for a comfortable get-away. Thank you Tom & Sylvienne!!!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Romantic

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• Peter Snel
  Roosendaal

  Quiet and relaxing

  Left on 11/09/2012 for a stay in January 2012
  
  

  Barachel Orchard was our first stay in New Zealand after a long journey from Europe. And we could not have had a better one. Sylvienne and om gave us a warm en friendly welcome and the place is quiet and relaxing.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic

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• eastwingNewZealand
  New Zealand

  lovely people with a lovely welcoming home filled with lovely Ma

  Left on 11/07/2012 for a stay in October 2012
  
  

  very welcoming clean home handled by a lovely couple. our little one had a blast petting the donkeys nose while my partner was feeding him grass. felt very homey with all the greenery and animals. glad we stopped over.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Families w children

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  Was this review helpful? Yes