Entire home

Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage

Photo gallery for Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage

Lazing in the sun
Living Dining area
Kitchen area
Bathroom
Midsummer Nights Dream
Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Mountain viewMountain viewMountain view

Explore the area

Map
Purakanui Inlet, Dunedin City
  • Popular LocationForsyth Barr Stadium25 min drive
  • Popular LocationUniversity of Otago26 min drive
  • Popular LocationLarnach Castle49 min drive
  • AirportDunedin (DUD-Dunedin Intl.)67 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Main house

Merry Wives of Windsor Cottage

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property

Iconic Historic Seaside Cottage

Restored 140 yr old cottage on the very edge of the sheltered Purakaunui inlet, just a scenic 25 min drive from Dunedin, New Zealand.

Although still faithful to it's historic roots, there are the home comforts of a full modern kitchen and bathroom. The rooms are tastefully decorated, cleaned and maintained to a high standard. There is electric heating in every room as well as a coal range. Electric blankets are on the beds except for the trundler in main house.

As featured in Life and Leisure Magazine, Jan, 2009. The cluster of four little buidings known as "As You Like It" since the 1930's, is a 100 metre walk down a path along the waters edge.

You can just sit on the deck and watch the fish just a metre away, or watch the sunset over the water, dig for cockles, fish off the deck or the rocks, walk along the ocean beach or row or canoe around the inlet. It's a great bird watchers spot- shags ,tuis, fantails, bellbirds, oystercatchers, woodpigeons, whitefaced herons, kingfishers, etc. A Dinghy or kayaks are available onsite. The white sandy beach can be accessed at low tide by walking across ankle deep water, or by canoe. At full tide the bay is full of water and great for a kayak around the bay.

Outings can include a visit the historic pa site, Motutapu and it's secluded beach, or the Orokanui Sanctuary, 5 min drive away. The new Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium is only 20 min drive away, access and parking is easy because you can avoid the crowds coming from the city side.

It is also a great base to visit Dunedin's attractions , Port Chalmers is a 10 min drive away, with designer clothes and jewelry shops as well as coffee bars and restaurants. Eating out options include the Carey's Bay Hotel overlooking the fishing village beside Port Chalmers, the Galley cafe or Portside Tavern which has specialty beers on tap. Fleur's Seafood restaurant at Moeraki is 50 min drive north. The unspoilt coastal settlements of Seacliff and Karitane are a short senic drive away.

There are many walks around the township and the boatsheds, along Purakaunui beach, around the inlet or to Longbeach.

Note:unsuitable for the mobility challenged.
Special conditions:
Two night minimum
Note that each bedroom-and the bathroom -are in separate cottages. The single bed in the main house is a trundler stored under the double bed. The buildings are clustered together and there are only a couple of steps between each cottage. Security lights light the way.
Please discuss bringing pets with us. A laundromat is at Port Chalmers if you need any clothes washed.

Check-in time after 3 pm check out by 11 a.m.

Extras: Linen (included); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean the house and do the dishes before you leave.

Property manager

barblm764
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Barbecue grill
Mountain view
Fireplace

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed
Please discuss with me first

Pets

Pets allowed
Please discuss with me first.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Note from host: Please discuss with me first
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Purakaunui

Located in Purakaunui, this vacation home is in the city center and on the beach. Speight's Brewery and Bush Creek Trail are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Dunedin Botanic Garden and Dunedin Railways. New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and Dunedin Chinese Garden are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkeling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling.
Map
Purakanui Inlet, Dunedin City

What's nearby

  • Forsyth Barr Stadium - 25 min drive
  • University of Otago - 26 min drive
  • Dunedin Botanic Garden - 28 min drive
  • The Octagon - 28 min drive
  • Larnach Castle - 49 min drive

Getting around

  • Dunedin Railway Station - 27 min drive
  • Dunedin (DUD-Dunedin Intl.) - 71 min drive

Restaurants

  • Carey's Bay Historic Hotel - 16 min drive
  • The Portsider - 15 min drive
  • Mount Cargill - 37 min drive
  • The Port Royale Cafe - 15 min drive
  • Blueskin Gallery - 18 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 353 out of 385 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 28 out of 385 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 385 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 385 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 385 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Richard G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous location and accommodation
This was a dream come true! I had seen this property during walks in the area and finally got to stay here for a couple of nights. Very well appointed, super comfortable, very relaxing and so peaceful!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
unrivalled location.
Enjoyed listening to Moreporks and the lap of the ocean at night. Charming property.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Little piece of Paradise
A fantastic place to stay and take time out to relax. Thank you so much
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful
Beautiful wee cottage right on the water. Very relaxing watching the tide and listening to the birds.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Monique S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise near Dunedin
A unique and tranquil place to stay right by the water. We loved spending a couple of nights here while we explored the surrounding area. Well equipped and warm. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

About the host

Hosted by barblm764

Host profile image
My grandfather first brought a house in Purakaunui in the 1920’s and it has been a family favourite ever since. I was brought up in Dunedin, taught at a local high school, went back to University as a young mum and trained as a clinical psychologist in the 80’s. Buying As You Like It was a childhood dream and we spent many years bringing it up to modern living standard and restoring its original features. After 20 yrs as a psychologist, I brought a country hotel in Naseby, Central Otago as a complete change. The goal was to restore the 1863 building as I had As You Like It. Now life is a bit more peaceful, living at Purakaunui and enjoying seeing people enjoy Purakaunui as I do.

Why they chose this property

It is so unique.. a modest, charming and likeable house close to the water. So close it feels like living in a boat.. but not getting sea sick. As a child I always wanted this place... so intimately close to the sea and so easy to get back home to get warm and dry after a days adventures in the sand and sea. The only traffic is by boat or walking which makes for such a peaceful place, yet not isolated. I love the sense of history, getting a feel for how people lived a hundred years ago, but still enjoying some modern comforts.

What makes this property unique

Historic and unique to be so surrounded by the sea.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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