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Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House

Apartment in Aratapu with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House

Interior
Smart TV
2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Exterior
Smart TV
Experience the simple charm of a 150-yr-old historic building in the Kaipara on the Kauri Coast at this Guest-Wing. Enjoy a rural outlook from your private porch entry, unwind in the conservatory with its small outside terrace, or relax in your own kitchen-dining-lounge. With loads of free parking and proximity to Dargaville and Glinks Gully Beach.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Entire apartment

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 18130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
The current price is AED 175
AED 493 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Nov - 28 Nov

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House

Fully self-contained and well-equipped "cheap & cheerful" roomy and simple 2-Bedroom Guest-Wing within this large iconic 150-yr-old building in the Kaipara on the Kauri Coast.
(Conservatory able to potentially act as a 3rd Bedroom.)

AMENITIES INCLUDE:
> Own separate porch entry
> Roomy Lounge-Dining-Kitchen (with dishwasher)
> Large conservatory with small outside terrace
> Bathroom with shower, washing-machine & dryer - Separate Toilet
> Huge 8-person upstairs Master Bedroom with Queen bed, and 2 x Double-Single Bunk-Beds, and large Office Desk. (Optional Double and/or King-Single mattresses on the floor)
> Twin bedroom off the Master with 2 x Single Beds (optional extra King Single mattress on the floor)
> Couches in the Conservatory also available for additional 3 guests to sleep on as a 'make-shift' 3rd Bedroom
> Lounge L-couch can sleep 2 guests
> Pleasant rural outlook
> Loads of free parking

LOCATION:
1-Min to local superette in Te Kopuru
5-Mins to Dargaville
10-Mins to Glinks Gully Beach
10-Mins to Countdown Supermarket
15-Mins to Baylys Beach
30-Mins to Kai Iwi Lakes
1-Hour to Tane Mahuta at Waipoua Forest

BEDDING CONFIGURATIONS:
> Standard Nightly Rates are based on two people sleeping in each of the Queen/Double beds.
> A small Extra Bed and/or Extra Bedroom surcharge(s) can be payable for additional beds/bedrooms if Single occupancy is preferred for each bed.
> A reminder there is the huge main upstairs bedroom with multiple beds. Plus a small Twin bedroom up a few stairs off from the huge main upstairs bedroom. Additionally, off the downstairs Lounge, is a conservatory that can act as a makeshift 3rd Bedroom with guest(s) sleeping on a couch(es).

FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
> This historic unrenovated Guest-Wing is brimming with odd quirks - and is probably not the right accommodation for anyone fussy.
> This is an old guest-wing that has dated decor and amenities. Things are clean and simple but unable to be immaculately pristine.
> Large executive desk in the huge upstairs main bedroom.

SPECIAL NOTES:
> As one of the oldest functional buildings in the Kaipara today, this wonderful "Old Lady" is rich in history, heritage, quirks and idiosyncracies, featuring relaxed and dated decor - so perhaps not ideal for anyone "fussy"!
> Also, because it is an original Classroom at this heritage-rich historic property that has been converted into Guest-Wings, it may be possible to hear some noise from other Wings at times, not dissimilar to hearing noise from an adjoining apartment - or adjacent classroom! :)

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Kitchen

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 0.5 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Garden
  • Patio
  • Terrace

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 3 steps to reach entrance
  • 6 accessible parking spaces
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Handrails in stairways
  • No elevator
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Thin carpet in public areas
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Garden
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic soft drink bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Recycling
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Unit size: 1,399 square feet

Similar properties

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Opulent1-Bdr elegant Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, 14 reviews
The price is AED 165
AED 422 total
includes taxes & fees
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Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Rules

NOISE CURFEW 11pm-7am of loud voices or loud music etc
Special Events potentially possible - subject to prior approval

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Exterior steps & internal stairs

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

THE OLD Aratapu School House Aratapu
THE OLD Aratapu School House Apartment
THE OLD Aratapu School House Apartment Aratapu

About the neighborhood

Map
Dargaville, Northland

What's nearby

  • Dargaville Museum - 8 min drive - 8.0 km
  • The Woodturners Kauri Gallery and Studio - 9 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Taha Awa Riverside Gardens - 11 min drive - 10.9 km
  • Zizania Hand Made Papers - 12 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Kai Iwi Lakes - 39 min drive - 53.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Fast Foods Dargaville - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Blah, Blah, Blah Café - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Northern Wairoa Hotel Dargaville - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Matich's Premier Restaurant - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House?

As of 24 November 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House on 27 November 2025 start from $116.17, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House located?

Situated in a rural location, this apartment building is within 6 mi (10 km) of Zizania Hand Made Papers, Dargaville Museum, and The Woodturners Kauri Gallery and Studio. Taha Awa Riverside Gardens is 6.1 mi (9.8 km) away.

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Reviews

Cheap & Cheerful 1-3Bdr roomy Guest-Wing at the 150-yr-old Aratapu School House Reviews

8.6

Excellent

7.6

Cleanliness

9.4

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 9 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 9 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 9 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 9 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 9 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lony S.

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

Perfect spot

A truly lovely and cozy house, ideally suited for our family vacation.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dhivian G.

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

Cheap and cheerful with all the necessities

Exactly as described, this house is somewhere to stay if you're not looking for anything high-end. The beds are comfortable and clean, the kitchen has everything you need to cook (I appreciated the pots and pans without the teflon coating), the washing machine and dryer worked fine and the internet and TV worked fine. There was lots of dust and cobwebs and a few spiders, but that's what you'd expect of an old schoolhouse.The location, 10 minutes drive south of Dargaville suited us well and the property manager was responsive and helpful. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 18 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

John H.

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

Our stay during the Northland field days event

She's a little gem. She may have been the oldest place we have ever stayed in but she sure was the cleanest! The linen was fresh and clean. Ample parking space for our food trucks. fast and friendly communication throughout. Thank you for having us. We will back again next year.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah C.

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

Serene and peaceful

Thank you for being our first home in New Zealand. The old school house was a perfect fit for my family. Enough space for everyone to have a place to call theirs. And the peaceful location not far from town was welcoming. Not far from TK or Dargaville, made for a nice first home. Thank you for having us.
Stayed 74 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Malcolm S.

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

Wharekure Aratapu

Nice area, lots to see. We toured around the north island and visited lots of historic and current events and entertainment. Our hosts were available when we needed help and not in our face when we did not. It was a wonderful time and I recommend the place for a nice stay.
Stayed 91 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Jaime R.

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

Basic and quaint

As expected and as described. Sheets were clean and accomodation was tidy. Could have been a little cleaner (inside the fridge and the toilet smelt a bit) Gorgeous view to wake up to from the upstairs room! Suited our needs for the weekend
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Gwenda J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Real potential

The Wharekura “ pre-reno” apartment we stayed at was marred by 3 of the 4 elements of the stove not working properly, the oven wouldn’t go. There appeared to be no smoke detectors although the owners reassured me later that they were there. The shower doors were hard to close. Like much inside the apartment, the wiring looked dodgy and as old as the building. The stairs to the room were uneven. I contacted Kathy after we left. In hind sight, I should have done so sooner and given them the opportunity to remedy the faults as she seemed happy to do. Moral of the story ...you get what you pay for??
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023