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The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds

Photo gallery for The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds

A round wooden table with a placemat and a shell, a wicker chair, and a view of the ocean with boats and greenery through large windows. - The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds (Queen Charlotte Sound)
A bedroom with a large bed, a smaller bed, a window with a view of the sea, and a chair. - The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds (Queen Charlotte Sound)
A wooden deck leading to a scenic view of a coastline with rocky formations and greenery. - The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds (Queen Charlotte Sound)
A white house surrounded by lush greenery and hills. - The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds (Queen Charlotte Sound)
A compact kitchen with a built-in washing machine, a sink, and a small countertop. - The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds (Queen Charlotte Sound)
Take advantage of a firepit, a garden, and a playground at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds. Adventurous travelers may like the boating at this vacation home. Guests can also expect to find laundry facilities and a gym.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 13

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym

Add dates for prices

About this property

The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds

  • Boat or water taxi only access to the island ensures your peace and privacy for those who wish to get away from it all. For your pleasure of arriving here, there will always be someone to meet and greet you as this is a working family farm, and the house will always be open to access on your arrival!

    The Arapawa homestead, or Gunyah as it is also known, is the original house built in 1945 by Joe and Patty Perano as their retirement home. Refurbished in keeping wth the original 1940s character, the homestead is a fully equipped, private and cosy.

    The front bedroom is furnished with an antique walnut bedroom suite that includes a double bed with feather duvet and a single bed for an extra guest. Warm and pleasant, this room offers dramatic views of Tory Channel and the West Head. Suitable for children and visiting friends, the second bedroom contains two sets of single bunks with duvets. This room features stunning ocean views. The sleep-out contains a queen size bed with a nearby shower - very handy first thing in the morning! The sleep-out also doubles as a laundry and is equipped with double concrete sinks, a washing machine and a clothes dryer.

    The bathroom inside the house has a comfortable bath, from which you can admire an etched glass depiction of the Tory Channel entrance showing both an underwater scene and a view of whalers above the water. The bathroom has a separate toilet.

    Gunyah has full amenities with all you need for a comfortable stay. The kitchen contains a number of modern appliances, including a microwave oven, fridge/freezer and bread maker, and the living area has a wood burner a TV, stereo and CD player.
    Special conditions:
    Tarrif | Gunyah - Arapawa Homestead Minimum stay 2 nights
    Summer Season (November - April inclusive)
    $300.00 per night up to 5 people | $22 per night each additional person
    Off Season (May - October inclusive)
    $245.00 per night for up to 5 people | $22 per night for each additional person
    Off Season Special - Stay 6 nights and get a 7th night FREE.

    Dinghy and mooring are included in Tariff. One nights payment confirms your booking. All prices include GST.

    Extras: Cleaning (Optional, NZ$120.00 per stay); Linen (included);

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Internet access

Parking and transportation

  • Car available
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Freezer
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Computer monitor
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total (up to 55 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 3 steps to reach entrance
  • No elevator (single-level property)
  • Single level property
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near the ocean
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Farming classes
  • Gym
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Swimming nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Annual offsets purchased for at least 10% of carbon footprint
  • At least 80% organic food
  • Composting
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Farming classes
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Humane treatment of captive wild animals
  • Local artist showcase
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • Locally sourced food prioritized
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • Recycling
  • Reusable coffee/tea filters
  • Some LED lighting used
  • Water-efficient showers

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:30 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 55 lbs per pet)
Note from host: Pets must be on a leash and have a travel cage.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Have a Highchair and Portacot

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Folk can pitch a tent as well for extra space.

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 13
Note from host: Folk can pitch a tent as well for extra space.
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Frequently asked questions

Is The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 55 lbs per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds?

As of Aug 26, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds on Aug 29, 2026 start from CA $260, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds located?

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is within 20 mi (32 km) of Mabel Island, Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary, and Picton Foreshore. Edwin Fox Museum and Picton Museum are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds Reviews