Located on a small farm, Okuti Country Cottage offers a private and peaceful retreat in nature. There is plenty of space for children to play and a family of alpacas they may enjoy feeding. Guests find this a very relaxing place to stay. From the cottage you can look to the hills and maybe spot deer grazing in the distance. You can enjoy listening to the bellbirds and the music of the river behind the cottage. Evening skies are free from light pollution, therefore this is a great place for star watching. Our cottage is built in two sections with an interlinking covered deck with a semi open and well equipped kitchen. The bedroom has a queen bed and sleeping loft above with 2 floor mattresses. The living and dining area has a pullout sofa which can sleep 1 or 2 more guests. There is a good internet connection. Both rooms are wam and sunny and are double glazed and well insulated. Original New Zealand art is displayed in both rooms. We have endeavoured to create a space which is eco friendly. This includes use of eco products, which we provide, and a composting (non flushing) toilet which uses wood chips instead of water. Rain water is collected for your shower, therefore there are no chemicals.This is not a suitable place for those expecting all the conveniences of a modern city apartment. Instead, it is a simple country cottage which offers a place to reconnect with nature and appreciate services based on eco principles. A continental breakfast is included in your booking fee.

Having done a lot of travelling in previous years, Elizabeth and Tony enjoy meeting other travellers. We like to welcome our guests in person and we are always available for anything you need to know about the cottage or local places to go. Now we are both retired and for the last six years we have been transforming our 3 acre property, originally a paddock of gorse, with extensive plantings of native and exotic trees. We enjoy growing vegetables and cottage garden flowers. Tony has been a craftsman of wood, creating sculptures, musical instruments, and netsuke. Elizabeth has worked many years in education and now appreciates having time to play music and experiment with wet felting and colouring home spun wool with natural dyes.

Little River village is just 2 km from our property. There you will find an excellent cafe, a craft store, and an art gallery, with works by leading New Zealand artists. There is a Farmers Market in the village on Sundays and two places you can try for evening meals. Nearby are many walking and cycling tracks for all levels of fitness. Bikes can be hired on the village. You could easily spend a week in other parts of Banks Peninsula. There are many beautiful bays and beaches which are safe for swimming. You could enjoy wine tasting at local vineyards and dining at the many fine restaurants and cafes in Akaroa, less than hour's drive from Little River. The Giant's House is definitely worth a visit. From the Akaroa harbour you can take a boat trip to see the dolphins, or try paddle boarding or kayaking. Okains Bay has an outstanding museum highlighting the Maori and Colonial history of the area. Because our property is less than an hour's drive from the Christchurch Airport. many international previous guests have found it convenient to stay with us at the beginning or the end of the holiday.