Kia ora! Welcome to our little nature retreat in the city. If you're on holiday, a work visit, a romantic rendezvous, or just seeking somewhere calm & quiet away from the crowds, the Hideaway is a beautiful place to rest and recover. Located on the edge of the Ranfurly gully nature reserve, It's a peaceful, beautiful and special place. Where you’ll wake to native bird song, not traffic noise. Don't take our word for it - check out this recent guest video review link in our photos! Guest access The apartment is adjacent to the main house, with off-street parking and access. You have separate access, and complete private use of the apartment during your stay. Other things to note Your hosts are locals. Jeff potters around & fixes things. Callie loves gardening & is interested in permaculture. We both love to travel, enjoy food & wine and meeting people

Your hosts are locals. Jeff potters around & fixes things. Callie loves gardening & is interested in permaculture & gully restoration. We both love to travel, enjoy food & wine and meeting people from all parts of the globe. Trev the cat is a black & white ball of charm & occasional energy. The gully is home to a bunch of NZ’s native bird species. The tui is an amazing songbird, broadcasting its mellifluous tones from gully treetops. Fantails (piwakawaka) swoop & dive in the afternoons & around sunset. Moreporks are our native owl. Also known as Ruru, their distinctive mournful call (“ruuuuru ruuuuru”) can often be heard in the dead of night. Kotares (Kingfishers) visit from time to time, as do Pipiwharauroa (shining cuckoos) . Recently, Pukeko have started inhabiting the gully too. You'll hear their raucous call in the evenings. There's a stream at the bottom of the gully. However it's very boggy and jungly below the apartment, so we recommend sticking to the paths through the nearby council reserve (ask us, or search for "ranfurly gully" on youtube). This is New Zealand so don't worry about snakes, poisonous insects or other dangerous creatures. But do be aware if you stay in our apartment you’ll be up close & personal with nature. That means sometimes an occasional daddy long legs spider or native bush cockroach will put in an appearance – both harmless & signs of a healthy ecosystem.

Hamilton's central location makes it an excellent base for visits to Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves or Raglan. We're super central, close to the CBD, Waikato Stadium, Claudelands Event Centre and Chartwell Mall. It’s a short Uber ride into the CBD. There’s a bus stop at the end of our street, and off-street parking behind electric gates if you have a car. Our street is a bit of a melting pot, a traditionally working class neighbourhood that’s progressively gentrifying. Our neighbours include a furniture maker, arborist, retired publisher, scientist, truck driver, new mum, & school principal. It’s a great place to live – and bring up kids. If you have time, head down to the Heaphy Terrace shops (supermarket, barber, laundromat, bakeries, takeaways, fruit & veg shop, pharmacy and liquor store - just around the corner). Or stroll to Claudelands Park (less than 1km away) with its destination playground, walking and jogging paths and Sunday Farmers Market. A network of footpaths and "cut-throughs" gets you down to the Waikato River in minutes, and its 30km of shared paths.