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Entire home

Secret Cottage

Riverfront vacation home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Secret Cottage

Exterior detail
TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Dining
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Escape to this charming 2-bedroom home, nestled in a lush garden of fruit trees and birds. Perfect for families or couples, the house is warm and cozy with a fire lit on chilly days. Explore Taranaki's mountain tracks, visit the Len Lye Centre or simply unwind at the nearby beach.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

Secret Cottage

Set in an established garden, this home away from home is a private retreat in semi rural Waitara.
The two bedroom home sleeps 4-5 with a sun-room as the optional 3rd single bedroom.
Close to New Plymouth Airport with the city 15 minutes away.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Ski

  • Snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Free breakfast available
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the bay
  • Next to a golf course
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Composting
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Lock the windows
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

Shoe-free inside please.
Dishes washing in the dishwasher. Doors and windows fully closed before leaving.
Put rubbish and recycling into the bins out in front. Food scraps in the small green bin.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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

Secret Garden Hideaway Waitara
Secret Garden Hideaway Private vacation home
Secret Garden Hideaway Private vacation home Waitara

About the neighborhood

Map
Waitara, Taranaki

What's nearby

  • Waitara West Quay - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Fitzroy Beach - 17 min drive - 19.7 km
  • Pukekura Park - 19 min drive - 21.5 km
  • Bowl of Brooklands - 20 min drive - 22.3 km
  • Taranaki Base Hospital - 23 min drive - 24.0 km

Getting around

  • New Plymouth (NPL) - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Parklands Takeaways - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Van Dyck Pancakes - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Tawa Glen Cafe - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Bridge Cafe & Bar - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secret Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secret Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secret Cottage?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Secret Cottage located?

This family-friendly Waitara vacation home is located on a river, within 2 mi (3 km) of Manukorihi Park, Waitara West Quay, and Waitara Golf Club. Waitara Library and Pukekohe Domain are also within 3 mi (5 km).

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Secret Cottage Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 43 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Darin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little place to stay

Perfect for what we needed, quiet location, tidy and all amenities.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay, everything we needed and more.

Great place would recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Visiting Nana’s

Loved garden & birds & felt comfortable staying there
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emma M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Womad Trip

Only 15-20min to Womad - a super calm and cozy place to unwind after a big day at the festival!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay

Catching up with family
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Lorraine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hideaway stay

The hideaway was comfortable and well equipped.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Fiona d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely restful stay

Loved our stay. Plenty of everything and the shower and bed were wonderful. The fire was great and kept us very warm. Very convenient location.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carol W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pleasant retreat

Cosy and homely and we all enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved the place!

Just as listed had everything we needed. Tucked away and the garden was lovely.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Radhika P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A very cosy comfortable accommodation.

We had everything we needed to have a comfortable experience. The location was also good too. I would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Richard W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ideal three days, thank you.

Very comfortable. We were lucky with the weather. The wood-burner is excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ross S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Quiet seclusion

Lovely and quiet area, just what we needed for a weekend away. Close proximity to the jet sprint track was a nice surprise.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice and relaxed

We enjoyed our stay, and were very happy all in all, and would be happy to stay there again. Thanks for the opportunity to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Crystal S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tranquil oasis

We had a wonderful stay at this retreat with our dog, close to beaches and a great location being 15mins to New Plymouth. Homely amd comfortable would recommend to friends and family who like to travel with their furry friend!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful retreat

Enjoyed our stay very much. Couldn't ask for a better homely atmosphere and nice and quite. Recommended to all. A+++++
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Louise H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Wee Getaway

It was a lovely wee weekend getaway, clean, cost home & great being able to bring our fur baby. Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious accommodation

We enjoyed our stay with the spacious and pet friendly accommodation. Davina is very easy to communicate with and very helpful, she helped us find and post the clothes we left
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

anna w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cosy weekender

We had a lovely stay at Davina’s property. The weather was pretty rainy but we enjoyed watching a movie and playing board games when we weren’t out and about. It great to be able to go on holiday with our dog too.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

CRAIG H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

R and R

Enjoyed the stay quiet and relaxing , stress free and peaceful. Thanks to my host .
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leigh A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Repeat guest

A real home-from-home that has everything a family needs. They don't call it a 'retreat' for nothing!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Holiday

Just catching up with family
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gavin T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location

Relaxing weekend

Awesome garden to relax in. Our Greyhound loved sniffing about and playing on the deck in the sun. Nice and quiet area to stay. The only negative (and it's no fault of the property) to be aware of is the road works can add up to 7 minutes to trips anywhere while you wait at the temporary lights. Thanks for adding to a great weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Tasha T.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Secret garden

Was very much like the pictures, didnt realize the 3rd room was detached but suited our young adults. Couldnt enjoy gardens due to weather. It could do with some air as it did smell musty on arrival.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Tim P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice little house in quiet location

A relaxing retreat in a quiet location. Vintage style granny vibe decor, this quaint cottage had plenty of room. The kitchen was well stocked. TV not smart but OK. The garden was nice with lots of fruit trees. Washing machine in bathroom was good but no extractor fan in bathroom and no insect screens to keep bugs out if windows left open.Beds were varied. Twin beds very comfy and queen bed too soft and very high off ground. Nice to have bed in conservatory, made a fabulous day bed for relaxing and enjoying views of the lovely garden. Confusing entrance. P
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monique H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wish we could have stayed a year.

Such a breath of fresh air away from the busyness of Auckland. We loved the garden areas and chilling in the lounge playing board games and watching movies. The kitchen had everything we needed and more. I was so impressed. Waitara is such a lovely little town and everyone there is so kind! We couldn’t believe how friendly everyone was. If you’re looking for a home base that feels like coming home after a long day adventuring, than this is the place. It was the perfect balance of relaxation and fun. The host is so kind and was so gracious to us when we stayed there. We took our dog and she also loved it. Hopefully we’ll back again soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023