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The Love Boat

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The Love Boat

Near Carterton, Wellington-Wairarapa


The Love Boat is set 20 minutes from Carterton in the Wairarapa, approximately one hour and 30 minutes from Wellington.

Tucked away in its own private nook, this unique renovated boat accommodation has stunning views of the Tararua Ranges.

Whimsical interiors with nautical touches welcome you aboard, offering everything you need for a relaxing and memorable stay. As night falls, drift off to sleep under the skylight, enjoying a unique stargazing experience beneath Wairarapa's Dark Sky Reserve.

Venture outside onto the spacious deck, where the gentle sounds of native trees rustle and birdsong fill the air. Indulge in a relaxing soak in the outdoor bath, fire up the Weber BBQ for a delicious meal, or lounge on the expansive lawn.

A two-minute stroll away, Waingawa River and a lovely public swimming hole await. Take a refreshing dip or picnic on its banks on a beautiful summer's day. For those seeking an outing, the Wairarapa region boasts many scenic nature walks and charming restaurants to explore.

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

The Love Boat is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the four-burner cooktop, oven and Weber BBQ provided. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

If you're staying on the weekend, you must try the pizzas at The Watermill Bakery!

How to find it: Located at the start of Blakes Road, just a 2-minute drive from The Love Boat at the end of the road. It's a magical spot with a cosy log cabin by a stream.

Opening Hours: Only Fridays 5–8 PM. However, it is closed for a few months in winter (seasonal hours).

**How It Works:**Call 06 370 1129 early in the week to book your pizza bases. On Friday night, pizzas are cooked between 5–8 PM. You can choose your toppings when you arrive.

The Wairarapa has a plethora of fantastic dining options to choose so here are just a few recommended to you by your hosts. For a quick bite to eat, check out Clareville Bakery in Carterton. Balter Bar is a fantastic dinner spot in Carterton, or you can head 22 minutes over to Masterton to Koi, modern Indian-Malaysian cuisine, or The Screening Room, a unique cinema and eatery. In the heart of Greytown, 30 minutes in the other direction, is the iconic White Swan, which offers outdoor seating, a fireplace, and great cocktails and meals. Also in Greytown is Aperitif, a wine bar and eatery. If you're a wine fanatic, Martinborough (45-minute drive) is renowned for its excellent vineyards.

The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is New World in Carterton, 20 minutes away.

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

There’s a unique magic in staying still, nestled in a quiet spot with your loved one, while the world outside fades away.

At The Love Boat, play a round of pétanque, cards, or croquet, letting time slip by effortlessly. Finish the day with a soak in the outdoor bath, the perfect touch of relaxation, and when conditions permit cosy up and watch the night sky come alive in the heart of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.

In the summer, a quick two-minute walk takes you to a beautiful river (fishing is available with a license). Opposite the river is a public swimming hole with both deep and shallow waters. Please note that public access is to the swimming hole so visitors will not pass directly by The Love Boat. However, on hot summer days, you may hear or see others enjoying the area, including families, dogs, and occasionally some music! While your hosts don’t have control over the swimming hole or its use, we believe its natural beauty and charm enhance the experience of staying in this lovely area.

If you want to explore, the region offers plenty of nature walks and mountain bike trails. Just six minutes away is Mt Holdsworth, granting access to a range of beautiful walks in the Tararua Ranges.

The Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is a must-visit to see the endangered brown kiwi. Greytown, just 30 minutes away, is perfect for a day of boutique shopping, while Martinborough, a 40-minute drive, is ideal for wine tasting. Further afield, enjoy the sandy shores of Castlepoint and Riversdale beaches, where you can also try your hand at fishing.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Your hosts at The Love Boat are Danny, Sally and Miss Kitty.

Danny and Sally have owned the property since 2020, having relocated from the city to embrace a more tranquil rural lifestyle. With their children and grandchildren still living in Wellington, the Wairarapa was an ideal choice being a mere 1.5-hour drive away. Upon discovering the property, they immediately recognised it as an extraordinary find, captivated by the river, native trees and birds, as well as the privacy offered at the end of their road.

Having previously worked in the film industry, Danny enjoys creating unique spaces. When he came across the boat, he decided to transform it into exceptional accommodation, now known as "The Love Boat."

TESTIMONIALS

“ Amazing and very relaxing. The hosts have thought of everything. I would recommend booking early for pizza if you're there on a Friday night. ”

vera hennessy- 2025-02-07

13 / 13

“ Perfect getaway for a couple in a serene setting. We appreciated the thoughtful touches to make things cosy and comfortable in the bijou space and the retro, rustic charm of a bach. Could have happily stayed on for a few more days listening to birdsong and the river! Also great to be able to bring the dog with. Highly recommend. ”

Aleah Forrest- 2026-04-13

1 / 13

“ Wonderful location and set-up for the aspiring boaties and campers amongst us. Love it. ”

Gerard Hickey- 2026-04-05

2 / 13

“ Stunning atmosphere and very romantic place to spend a weekend. Would definitely do it again! ”

Tom Lewis- 2026-03-25

3 / 13

“ Amazing location and accommodation! Spotlessly presented and very comfortable. Real thought has gone into creating a magical space. Our hosts were welcoming, friendly and attentive, without being intrusive. Highly recommend, thank you! ”

Donald Thomson- 2026-03-06

4 / 13

“ We loved the uniqueness of The Love Boat, the peace and tranquility. Every necessity was catered for. Loved every minute! Thank you so much! ”

Duike Simm- 2026-02-25

5 / 13

“ Beautiful setting, very cleverly converted and well set up. ”

Clare Lincoln-Dombroski- 2026-02-16

6 / 13

“ The Love Boat is set in a secluded little dell. You can hear the river babbling and birds chirping as you sit and relax. It's a stone's throw away from the Mt Holdsworth track/Powell Hutt, so a great spot to be able to get an early start to the peak and then relax in the outside bath once you're done. The hosts were friendly and attentive yet gave you lots of privacy. ”

Rachel Park- 2026-02-03

7 / 13

“ The Love Boat was a wonderful place to hide away for a couple of days. The peace and quiet of the natural surroundings and the cosiness of the boat really helped us to unwind. ”

Marc Goldsmith- 2026-01-22

8 / 13

“ Beautifully renovated and boutique accommodation. Cosy with the fireplace for cool nights, and loved swimming in the river during the day. The place was clean, and the little kitchen has everything you need. Absolutely loved our stay. Thank you. ”

Gracey Macdonald- 2026-01-10

9 / 13

“ This was a great, totally unique place to stay. Sally and Danny have obviously put in a huge amount of work to get the boat in the condition it is in today. We had a great time and really loved our stay. ”

Jon Saunders- 2025-05-20

10 / 13

“ We had a fantastic stay; everything was set up great. It's a great area for the dog if you take one. Very good communication, and the recommendations for the area were spot on. We loved the pizza; highly recommend. We had a clear evening, and the sky was amazing. The area and setup were tranquil; it was an amazing place to just chill out. Highly recommend! ”

Angela Schofield- 2025-04-03

11 / 13

“ What a delightful way to spend a birthday! We had the magic of rain on the roof on night one, with beautiful blue skies and a clear starry night on night two. Thank you for a wonderful experience! ”

Carolyn Reid- 2025-02-28

12 / 13

“ Amazing and very relaxing. The hosts have thought of everything. I would recommend booking early for pizza if you're there on a Friday night. ”

vera hennessy- 2025-02-07

13 / 13

“ Perfect getaway for a couple in a serene setting. We appreciated the thoughtful touches to make things cosy and comfortable in the bijou space and the retro, rustic charm of a bach. Could have happily stayed on for a few more days listening to birdsong and the river! Also great to be able to bring the dog with. Highly recommend. ”

Aleah Forrest- 2026-04-13

1 / 13

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