Escape Image
Early Bird Winter Special | Stay 3 Pay 2
Cottle Hill Creek badge

Cottle Hill Creek

Northland


Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Image 1 of 15 Image 2 of 15 Image 3 of 15 Image 4 of 15 Image 5 of 15 Image 6 of 15 Image 7 of 15 Image 8 of 15 Image 9 of 15 Image 10 of 15 Image 11 of 15 Image 12 of 15 Image 13 of 15 Image 14 of 15 Image 15 of 15 Image 16 of 15 Image 17 of 15
Eating and Drinking

EATING AND DRINKING

Cottle Hill Creek is self-catering. Just bring your own food and cook meals using the gas hob or BBQ and facilities provided in your private galley kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

Cottle Hill Creek can provide some beautiful platters to enjoy at the Ark. If you'd like to order, check out pricing and details under the 'Rates and Extras' button above.

Kerikeri is a 5-minute drive away and is filled with delicious places to eat out. The Plough and Feather at the Kerikeri Mission Station comes highly recommended - with fantastic food and a wonderful ambience. There are some nice takeaway spots, lots of great cafes (Santeez Gluten Free Café for their coffee and ginger slice is delicious!), and other fantastic restaurants such as Black Olive, Ake Ake Winery and Rainbow Falls Tea House.

There are three supermarkets close by, Countdown and New World in Kerikeri, and Four Square in Waipapa. If you're staying on a weekend - treat yourself to some culinary treats from The Packhouse Market in Kerikeri on Saturday or Sunday, or pop in for some fresh fruit and vegetables at the Kerikeri Farmer's Market on Sunday.

Things to Do

THINGS TO DO

At Cottle Hill Creek, hop in the boat to row or kayak on the lake (lifejackets are provided!), take a walk around the property, bird watch, or say hello to the animals.

Kerikeri is an ideal place to base yourself to explore the Northland region.

Kerikeri village itself, offers a quaint cinema, boutique shops, and lots of great cafes and restaurants. Cottle Hill Winery is less than a minute down the road and is open for tastings Wednesday - Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

The Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory is 3 minutes away, and another well-known kiwi business 'Living Nature', a natural skincare and cosmetics factory shop, (which also houses a beauty clinic), is just around the corner.

Get a taste of history with a visit to The Stone Store and Kemp House (11 minutes away), and Rewa’s Village - just 12 minutes away.

Charlie’s Rock, a fantastic swimming hole, is a 12-minute drive.

Each Saturday there is The Packhouse Market in Kerikeri which offers local culinary treats, crafts, and more. And on Sundays, there is the Kerikeri Farmer’s Market for fruits and vegetables.

Your Hosts

YOUR HOSTS

Careena and Chris will be your hosts while staying in the Ark at Cottle Hill Creek.

Chris is a New Zealander, originally from Christchurch, and Careena is Australian, who grew up in Malaysia and Singapore, and moved to NZ when she was 18.

From when they were a young couple, Chris and Careena have had a dream to live a self sustainable lifestyle, and be more in touch with nature. They're now finally realising it with the beautiful property at Cottle Hill Creek.

Chris and Careena moved to Kerikeri from Auckland in November 2016 and loving the lifestyle and everything that the Bay of Islands has to offer.

TESTIMONIALS

“ The hosts were helpful. It was a calm and peaceful location. ”

- 2024-01-28

20 / 20

“ Our stay at Cottle Hill Creek was absolutely perfect. Such a beautiful, relaxing place that had us daydreaming about what life on a farm might be like one day. The animals were a highlight, they all had their own personalities. The ducks greeted us every morning outside the cottage, and the roosters and chickens were an absolute hoot. We were genuinely sad to leave. We easily could have stayed a whole week. ”

Morgan Rouse- 2026-03-23

1 / 20

“ It was amazing, wish I’d booked for longer. Paddle boarding around the water and having the fire going at night was magical. ”

Jack Ashton- 2026-02-20

2 / 20

“ A truly unique experience. We'll be back. ”

Sanja Antonijevic- 2026-01-10

3 / 20

“ A wonderful place and a friendly host. What else do we need? ”

Ann Katrin Kray- 2025-12-15

4 / 20

“ We absolutely loved our stay at Cottle Hill Creek, it’s such a beautiful spot, so peaceful and relaxing. The Ark is a very cool spot, very comfortable beds and it has everything you need for a self sufficient holiday. Careena and Chris are such lovely hosts, they are very welcoming and friendly. It’s lovely to be able to swim in the lake and enjoy the outdoor fire in the evening. We only wished we could have stayed longer, we will definitely be back! ”

Elizabeth Kriechbaum- 2025-12-01

5 / 20

“ Superb venue away from the husle and bustle of our busy lives, sipping wine and eating cheese and dips as we looked over the lake with only the fish and the birds as our neighbours. Will definitely return. ”

John Hogan- 2025-11-11

6 / 20

“ Chris welcomed us like family. We loved the Ark and the surroundings. We spent the morning rowing and kayaking. It was a beautiful setting where we could spend the whole day exploring and relaxing. At night, we started the fire, had a BBQ, and enjoyed dinner outside by the lake. Our youngest even helped to feed the chickens and collect the eggs, which were the freshest we’ve ever had. ”

David Siauw- 2025-10-01

7 / 20

“ Absolutely loved this place. Calm, peaceful, and so beautiful. We took tonnes of photos. Though we stayed at Cottle Hill Creek in winter, we felt warm and cosy in the house. Hosts are great. Can’t wait to return to The Ark in summertime. ”

Anna Khanash- 2025-07-03

8 / 20

“ Wonderful host and accommodation. We were so pleasantly excited with the farm animals all around the area. A peaceful and quiet bit of paradise. Thank you. ”

Andrew Steel- 2025-06-02

9 / 20

“ ”

Keely Kastrukoff- 2025-05-08

10 / 20

“ What an absolutely amazing place! Was such a treat to have your own private space and lake! Absolutely stunning and looking forward to going back. ”

Pierce Hargreaves- 2025-03-11

11 / 20

“ Had a beautiful time. The most beautiful accommodation. Great for animals lovers too. The host was also amazing. ”

Jacqui Foy- 2025-01-16

12 / 20

“ A lovely stay! The Ark is beautiful, clean and cosy. We loved the lake and all the amenities. It was a great relaxing getaway! ”

Ashley Johnson- 2025-01-10

13 / 20

“ Excellent host, very friendly, and the accommodation was exactly what we were looking for. ”

ultan burke- 2024-11-19

14 / 20

“ Gorgeous relaxing setting and Chris was a friendly host who recommended the local Friday night food market’s to us, which we enjoyed greatly! ”

Earlene Robertson- 2024-11-01

15 / 20

“ The hosts were so inviting and made us feel so welcome. Such a beautiful place, and we had the most amazing time! Highly recommend. ”

Lisa Frost- 2024-07-16

16 / 20

“ Wonderful setting with excellent hosts. An excellent way to getaway from it all. ”

Kerry Hilton- 2024-07-09

17 / 20

“ Chris, our host, was so welcoming and helpful. Cottle Hill Creek is beautiful and perfect for a long weekend getaway! ”

Dan Marson- 2024-07-04

18 / 20

“ Cottle Hill Creek is a beautiful location. We had such a relaxing stay, and Chris was super friendly. Everything you need in its small space. ”

- 2024-04-29

19 / 20

“ The hosts were helpful. It was a calm and peaceful location. ”

- 2024-01-28

20 / 20

“ Our stay at Cottle Hill Creek was absolutely perfect. Such a beautiful, relaxing place that had us daydreaming about what life on a farm might be like one day. The animals were a highlight, they all had their own personalities. The ducks greeted us every morning outside the cottage, and the roosters and chickens were an absolute hoot. We were genuinely sad to leave. We easily could have stayed a whole week. ”

Morgan Rouse- 2026-03-23

1 / 20

Scenic coastal landscape viewed through a golden tent opening, showing lush green hillside with forest line meeting turquoise ocean waters under clear blue sky

BROWSE OUR COLLECTION

Relax. Unplug. Savour a unique holiday experience. A secret weekend escape.

A family holiday.

Whatever the reason, let nature back in – go glamping!

Find your escape
Mobile