Warm Earth Cottage

Top choice in Bay of Plenty


The ultimate in rustic romance, this rural idyll has two pretty, electricity-free cottages and a lovely lounge-library for guests. Soak in the wood-heated bathtub, or head across the manicured lawns to clear swimholes in the Waitekohe River, where part of NZ's first Bachelor season was filmed. Big breakfast hampers are included. It's 5km south of Katikati, then 2km west of SH2.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bay of Plenty attractions

1. Leveret Estate

2.4 MILES

Transplanting Cape Dutch architecture from South Africa's wine country to SH2, 8km south of Katikati, this excellent winery is open for tastings and stock…

2. Katikati Bird Gardens

2.99 MILES

About 7km south of town, this gorgeous 4-hectare private garden is all aflap with native and exotic bird life. There's 1.5km of paths, looping out to a…

3. Haiku Pathway

3.84 MILES

Built as a millennium project, this unusual attraction consists of boulders inscribed with haiku verses wending through a pretty park flanking the Uretara…

4. Western Bay Museum

3.97 MILES

Housed in a former fire station, this little regional museum displays a selection of Māori artefacts from the local tribe, Ngāi Te Rangi, along with…

5. Wairere Falls

9.07 MILES

About 15km northeast of Matamata are the spectacular 153m Wairere Falls, the highest on the North Island. From the car park it’s a 45-minute walk through…

6. Te Aroha Museum

10.98 MILES

In the town’s ornate former thermal sanatorium (aka the ‘Treasure of Te Aroha’). Displays include quirky ceramics, old spa-water bottles, historical…

7. Minden Lookout

11.21 MILES

On clear days this lofty wooden viewing platform, located about 13km west of the city centre, provides a panorama of nearly the entire Bay of Plenty – see…

8. Athenree Hot Springs

11.7 MILES

In cooler months, retreat to these two small but blissful outdoor hot pools, hidden within a holiday park around 8km southeast of Waihi Beach.