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The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village

Outdoor dining
Exterior
4 bedrooms, free WiFi
Interior
Full-sized fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Rawene, Northland
  • Rawene Domain
    3 min walk
  • Hokianga Harbour
    4 min walk
  • Rawene Community Library
    7 min walk
  • Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands)
    60 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

Property grounds

Historic cottage with harbour views

Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
4.8 out of 5, Exceptional, (73)
The price is AU$328
for 1 night
includes taxes & fees
18 Dec - 19 Dec
Historic cottage with harbour views

About the area

Rawene

When you a stay at this vacation home in Rawene, you'll be by the sea, within a 5-minute walk of Rawene Domain and Hokianga Harbour. .This vacation home is 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Rawene Community Library and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Hokianga Art Gallery.
View more Holiday homes in RaweneOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Rawene Domain - 3 min walk
  • Hokianga Harbour - 4 min walk
  • Hokianga Art Gallery - 3 min drive
  • Opononi Beach - 20 min drive
  • Motuti Marae - 69 min drive

Getting around

  • Kerikeri (KKE-Bay of Islands) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Boatshed Cafe - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Kohukohu Hotel - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪Waterline Cafe - ‬32 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village

Known as the 'tunnel house' or the 'Rawene Hobbit House', this unconventional, quirky, iconic property sits nestled on a hill overlooking the Hokianga Harbour in Rawene.

If you want to truely escape the rat race, The Hokianga is the perfect place to relax, unwind and set your clock to Hokianga Time.
If you’re exploring the Twin Coast Discovery route, you can use Rawene ferry town to base yourself and discover the Hokianga and the Far North.
Opononi/Omapere beach with its breathtaking views great swimming, stunning walks and the famous Opononi sand dunes are less than a 15-minute drive away.
You could catch a boat from Opononi and go sand boarding down the dunes, perhaps do some fishing or if you fancy a wee drive you can find NZs largest Kauri Tree, Tane Mahuta and the Waipoua Kauri Forest less than a 40 minute drive away.
Pop over the ferry to discover historic Kohukohu and the untouched North Hokianga or simply spend some time lounging on the deck and reading a book - time has a way of standing still in the Hokianga.

When you arrive you will find a large deck with a BBQ and outdoor seating, a full kitchen, a full-size fridge, 3 bedrooms inside, a sleep-out just off the deck and a playground for the kids. From here you can wander to Rawene's mangrove walk situated at the bottom of the hill and it's a short 5 min stroll to Rawene village centre where you will find local cafes and shops.

Special Information

Guests can either save money and opt to bring their own linen or take advantage of our linen service for an additional cost of $10 per guest.
If guests opt to use the linen service their beds will be made up and bath towels provided. If guest choose to bring their own linen we ask that they bring both a top and bottom sheet for each bed they use and bath towels their stay.
Regardless of whether you opt for linen or not, all beds are furnished with an all season duvet and pillows.

The bed configuration is as follows:

Main House:
Master- queen bed
Tiger room - double bed and single bed
Palm room - single bed

Sleep-out off deck:
Queen bed



Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator/freezer and an oven. There's a private patio. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a Smart television is provided for your entertainment. Conveniences include a phone, as well as a microwave and an electric kettle.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Tima Cassidy

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge (full size)
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster
  • Kitchen island
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Electric kettle

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bath or shower
  • Toilet paper

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near a laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Note from host: Strictly outside only, please dispose of butts!

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Rawene Hobbit House
Rawene Tunnel House
Rawene Tunnel House Family Sized Far North Escape

The Tunnel House - Water views & family escape in a historic harbour village Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tamie Maree R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfortable with a quirky twist
This property was comfortable, there was great communication from the owner. The style or property was great to stay in to understand the construction. Was a great place to see out our last few days in NZ.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kerry H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tunnel house in Rawene
Very quiet. private and different to the normal box style accommodation usually available. More than acceptable.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Denise F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Stay
Great house and location. Great sitting out on the deck.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Catherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A slice of paradise
The tunnel house is great, we were really impressed by the quality of the kitchen and bathroom. It was very hot when we stayed but were able to cool the place down with the air con. The play equipment was great for our young kids and the grounds were beautiful, it felt like we were in Bali. Rawene itself is a great spot, we would love to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Valerie M.

Family Friendly
The Tunnel house is very family-friendly, our young kids loved the play area, the fruit trees and the quirkiness of the house. It has a beautiful view and stunning sunrises. The property manager gave excellent service and offered all the amenities we needed. We were thrilled with our stay and would definitely recommend to other families.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia P.

Nice view of hokianga Moana at this peaceful bach in rawene
Peaceful and quiet loved it here
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect spot
This accommodation was very comfortable, it's very tidy and was perfect for our family group of 6. The spa bath was a bonus! Gorgeous views, comfortable beds, amazing kitchen, and was a warm and cosy with all the amenities you could want or need. Location was great to explore the beautiful North. Thank you so much Tima. We loved it and had the best time!! We look forward to returning on our next Northland holiday.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dee H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Accomodation
Tima your place is just beautiful! We loved it and wished we could have stayed there longer. Your communication was amazing too. This fabulous property is amazingly presented and very clean… ❤️
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alison S., Warminster, Wiltshire

Liked: Cleanliness
A great stay
We very much enjoyed our stay at the Tunnel House. It is a comfortable and spacious place, with great views from the deck and it is clear a lot of thought has been put into furnishing the house. The kitchen is very well equipped and the lounge area is great for chilling out. Tima was a delight to communicate with. We would love to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ciaran T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
Rawene is an amazing place. Probably the place that surprised me the most on a trip around New Zealand. It has a magical quality to it and is like taking a step back in time and a slower pace of life. The tunnel house is unusual and adds to the experience of staying in Rawene. The view is beautiful and so peaceful. The owner could not have been nicer or more considerate as our plans had to change due to the weather. I would highly recommend a stay here.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M., Auckland, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely little getaway
We had a great time at this bach. House is equipped with everything that you need. Situated in the lovely quiet village of Rawene, great place to unwind. Great quirky House. The playground is a bit dated but the kids still had a fun time. Lovely trees around the property. Highly rated.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness
A unique and private holiday home
Perfectly happy with our stay, everything is well appointed and communication with Tima was easy, and responses quick and helpful. Would recommend this holiday home to anyone.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic location, great views and a very unique place
We had a wonderful stay at this house. The beds were comfortable, kitchen was well equipped. Views were beautiful out across the Hokianga harbour. Walking distance to the shops and cafes of Rawene and also the Mangrove walkway. Rawene is a little gem of a place, full of history and you can catch a ferry to the other side of the harbour. I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun quirky bach
A great place to stay to get away from it all. Very relaxing, and the tunnel house had everything we needed. Great communication from the owner.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Break
Tima’s house is perfect - central, excellent air con (important in summer) full kitchen and comfy beds. Tima was just a text away and was very responsive with questions. We will be back! Loved having access to streaming tv channels and solid WiFi too. Dream getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tracey B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute & cosy
My family loved our stay!!! my older kids enjoyed playing scrabble theres so many other games for all ages.my youngest 5 year old loved the spa bath.😀🥰 tina the owner was lovely and easy to deal with . Shop is a 2 min walk .. but i don't recommend the fish and chip shop the food was well over priced and well below average ..
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark A S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful retreat in quiet town of Rawene
The Tunnel House is nestled on the hillside with beautiful views of the harbour and a short walk to local shops & cafes. We used it as our base to explore Northland- and it was great! A superb host who was very easy to communicate with - we would definitely recommend and book again!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ezequiel S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely house, amazing place
The house is really good, spotless, lovely picture, really nice and cosy - much better that U can see on pictures-. It's highly recommended. Rawene has amazing beaches to be around.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alison Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
Super Rawene base for Hokianga adventures
Location with character, and a good base to explore Rawene and surrounding areas. Quick walk into town. Great deck with a view for summer evening drinks. Nice selection of games for the kids. We felt well looked after by the host, who was excellent with all the communication and house information.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Venus C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay Nice and peaceful
Lovely quirky house. Cosy felt a good vibe. Great kitchen and lovely and clean. Beds were very comfy.Easy to use equipment. Good amenities. Everything you need to have a good getaway. Owners very helpful good communication. I would definitely come back again and stay. Thank you for a great 10 days.
Stayed 13 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sharon T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Calm and peaceful.
I stumbled on this cute little place in Rawene and had a wonderful stay. It was peaceful and comfortable. I loved it so much last time I booked it again this time for a night and look forward to bringing my grandchildren with me in summer when we can spend a bit more time exploring this beautiful Hokianga. The kids will love the tunnel effect and also the games and books the host has provided for children.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

David N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Review
Use gps for satellite navigation. Shower was very weak and needs attention
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sharon T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
We only stayed 1 night but wish it had been more. I will definitely be booking again with the grandkids. What a neat quirky discovery and it was so peaceful.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katharina B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful retreat
The Tunnel House was cozy, clean, and well-maintained. The location was perfect for relaxation and exploration. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and would highly recommend it to others looking for a peaceful getaway.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024