Nestled on river’s edge, enclosed by sub-tropical gardens, Magic Cottage lives up to its name
Nestled on river’s edge, enclosed by sub-tropical gardens, Magic Cottage lives up to its name
Photograph by Megan Bowers
Magic Cottage is built for two. Perched over the bank of the Takou River, the one-room cottage sits in perfect seclusion, nestled among pohutukawa and surrounded by sub-tropical gardens.
The timber cabin is warm and cosy, the lighting dim and romanticÂ. For the energetic, there’s a two-person kayak for paddling downstream to the deserted beaches of Takou Bay. For soothing muscles afterwards, an antique claw-foot bath beckons from the deck.
Actually, the claw-foot bath is built for more like one-and-a-half. My husband and I wedge ourselves in regardless, sending scalding hot water spilling over the tub’s edge and my eco-cred into disrepute. We top up the bath with hot water three times as dusk turns to dark, splashing more over the edge every time.
It’s difficult to feel guilty. Partly because we’re simply too content to care; mostly because it’s rainwater. Heated by gas, admittedly, but as we luxuriate in our eco-friendly abode, surrounded by solar powered lights, reclaimed timber and organic farmland, we forgive ourselves the indulgence.
Photographs by Suzanne McNatty
Magic Cottage and its neighbours, the larger River and Garden Cottages—nearby, but completely out of sight and earshot—are set on the edge of the Takou River amid 150 acres of pasture and native bush, 25 minutes from Kerikeri in the Far North.
The pasture is home to a healthy herd of certified organic Hereford beef cattle; book in for the Gourmet Organic Retreat and you’ll even get to eat some of one, along with a selection of other local, organic treats. Gourmet meals can be requested or you can bring your own and make use of the gas barbecue or small indoor kitchen (see takouriver.com for details).
More than 10,000 native trees have been planted around the farm over the past three years, with the aim of increasing the biodiversity of the area and creating a ‘kiwi corridor’, joining the kiwi zones surrounding the property. If you can bear to leave the sanctuary of the cottage, owners Ian and Anna Sizer are happy to give tours of the gardens and tree-planting areas. They’ll also show you around their own stunning off-grid home, featured in Good #2 (page 70)—an invitation open not only to guests, but also to anyone with a genuine interest in eco-building.
The boutique cottages are run on similarly sustainable principles. The romantic lighting at Magic Cottage comes courtesy of a single solar panel and a few energy-efficient light bulbs; nature-friendly cleaning products are by Ecover and Ecostore; complimentary toiletries are from Living Nature, whose paraben-free skincare products are made just down the road.
None of that matters, however, when you’re bathing alfresco under starlight, river gently burbling beneath. When you’re surrounded by nature just as it’s meant to be, it’s time to stop worrying and—just this once—let the hot water overflow.
