Kokako Retreat

Kokako Retreat

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty

Kokako Retreat is 35 minutes from Rotorua and 40 minutes from Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. 

Kokako Retreat is designed as a luxurious, off-grid couples glamping escape. It's made up of three unique curved huts connected by boardwalks, steps and decks. At one end is the bedroom hut, with the kitchen and bathroom hut in the middle, and finally the lounge hut - which can accommodate an extra couple or two children on a fold-out sofa. An outdoor tub on the deck outside the bedroom hut is perfectly positioned to enjoy the stunning sunsets and sunrises from the elevated position.

The huts sit on a hill overlooking native forest and farmland. The native bush to the rear of the hut is rich with wildlife. You'll hear the rare and beautiful notes of the endangered kokako. And at night, if you're lucky, you'll hear the sound of kiwi calling and the sight of the native bats darting through the surrounding forest. The neighbouring DOC reserve has walkways to wander - one taking you down to a pretty waterfall. It's truly magical.

FROM $380

  • Sleeps 4
  • Children welcome

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Kokako Retreat

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Minimum Stay Periods

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Catering

Gift Vouchers

1. Introduction

2. booking and payments

3. Guest cancellations and date changes

4. Host Cancellations

5. safety and hazards

6. pets

7. Activities

8. GST

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10. Complaints

11. Liability

12. Gift vouchers

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  • Eating and Drinking

    Kokako Retreat is self-catering. Just bring your own food (or purchase one of our catering packs) and cook meals using the equipment provided in the cabin kitchen. You'll find cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, and utensils.

    If you want a break from cooking and feel like a meal out, Okere Falls Store, a 30-minute drive away, is an eco-friendly cafe offering all-day breakfasts and lunches until 2 pm. It's also a 30-minute drive to Rotorua where there are a number of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Tauranga, 40-minutes away, also has plenty of eating out places to offer.

    Ngongotaha is 20 minutes drive away. It has a Foursquare, liquor stores, a doctors surgery and a pharmacy.

  • Things to do

    With its outdoor bath and peaceful vistas, Kokako Retreat is perfect for rest and relaxation. Enjoy a walk through the farm and feed the friendly farm animals, mountain bike through the DOC reserve nearby, bird-watch from the hammock or stargaze around the firepit.

    If you're planning to explore the local region, Rotorua has it all...The luge, Canopy Tours zip lining, the Redwoods Tree Walk and Polynesian Spa are just some of the things to do during your time here.

    Rotorua, with 18  lakes on its doorstep,  is also internationally renowned for trout fishing and geothermal activity and award-winning Māori cultural experiences. Check out Te Puia for a world-class geothermal and Māori cultural experience. On their Te Rā (day) experience you’ll see the biggest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere erupt,  jumping mud pools, as well as master carvers and weavers at work at the NZ Maori Arts and Crafts institute. Te Puia comes highly recommended by your hosts!

    If you're keen to hit the beach, Mt Manganui is about 40 minutes away. 

  • Your hosts

    Jo and Dean are your hosts at Kokako Retreat, along with their seven children (some still living at home) and Jo's mum Denise, who lives in her own tiny home on the property. They have four dogs, one cat and five horses who enjoy the rural life with them.

    Dean is a manager and Jo is an Occupational Therapist. They brought the land six years ago, after deciding they needed more space for their horses... With more space, came more horses, and more dogs! They love the rural lifestyle it has given them - and enjoy the birds, bats and walks through the neighbouring DOC reserve.

    They built their huts after discovering a secluded site on the farm with a beautiful view. They came up with an idea to share the spot with paying guests - and contribute some of the proceeds of the venture to both the DOC Kokako breeding programme and Mental Health Services. They offer two nights a month free to a family that is struggling with mental health to give them a chance to rest and recuperate in a beautiful place.

    Kokako Retreat is named for the very special native birds they get to hear and see all the time.

    Kokako Retreat has been awarded a Silver Qualmark award from Qualmark - New Zealand tourism's official quality assurance organisation.

Testimonials

  • "

    They are amazing, helpful, friendly people and I had an amazing time.

    "

    Jan Neale - 21 Jul 2025

    1 / 12

  • "

    Remote and calmness are the best words to describe Kokako Retreat.

    "

    Thierry KENNES - 20 Jul 2025

    2 / 12

  • "

    Our stay was such a great reset. Time away together off the grid but still close enough to activities during the day in the local area. We loved it and will be back.

    "

    Clark Laidlaw - 18 Jul 2025

    3 / 12

  • "

    We had so much fun staying at Kokako Retreat. It's a really good place to just get away from everything and reset. My partner and I got engaged here as well, so it's definitely one for the books.

    "

    Kieffer Dacwag - 18 Jul 2025

    4 / 12

  • "

    Kokako Retreat is what pure bliss and relaxation is all about. Beautiful bedding, sufficient heating, lovely surroundings.

    "

    Wendy Gillespie - 09 Jul 2025

    5 / 12

  • "

    We had a wonderful stay at Kokako Retreat. Jo and the family were so friendly and welcoming. The accommodation was beautiful with lots of awesome small touches that made a real difference.

    "

    Cody Brennan - 10 Jul 2025

    6 / 12

  • "

    A great spot, with friendly and attentive hosts. We stayed in the middle of winter and it was lovely. We’ll definitely be back again in the summer for a few days to enjoy the tranquillity.

    "

    Julie Lampp - 05 Jul 2025

    7 / 12

  • "

    Quiet. Tranquil. Private. Relaxing. If that is what you like, then you will love Kokako Retreat.

    "

    Peter Young - 04 Jul 2025

    8 / 12

  • "

    Had a wonderful stay. My partner and I came to NZ from Australia for a wedding and to see friends, and did some travelling in our own time. We got engaged while staying at this slice of heaven.

    "

    Kassandra Bennie - 19 Jun 2025

    9 / 12

  • "

    Awesome retreat. Well maintained, very clean, interesting layout and no one can go too hungry as the host provided baked bread and some random pantry essentials too. So thoughtful. Reasonably priced, thanks for the discount offer too. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay as a family of three. The communication was clear and the host family accommodated our early check-in request. So humble of them. We will be back for sure and are already spreading the good word about this retreat. Big thank you.

    "

    Surekha Prasad - 03 Jun 2025

    10 / 12

  • "

    We loved everything about our stay, we wish we could have stayed longer. Would 100% recommend this to everyone.

    "

    Sade Sleeman - 17 May 2025

    11 / 12

  • "

    We were greeted by the lovely host who had baked fresh bread for us. We were in awe of the surrounds of the retreat, so private and peaceful. The facilities were immaculately appointed, down to every detail.

    "

    Mark Mckenna - 27 Apr 2025

    12 / 12

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