Heaven for two

Between the Ruahine Ranges and the Pacific Ocean is a holiday home where you can truly relax. Gallery Cottage, in the peace and quiet of the Hawkes Bay countryside, was built for holidays. Sit and enjoy a glass of local wine while watching a spectacular sunset, listen to tuis singing in the gum trees, read in the sun on the patio, watch TV and cook a meal…. or not.

Light and airy, with patio doors facing west and windows on every side to let in the cool breeze on hot days, Gallery Cottage is simply but comfortably furnished and equipped with everything you need for a self-catering weekend or holiday. It shares a driveway with the main house, which dates from the early 20th century and was transported from the city of Napier to a one acre section near the village of Maraekakaho in the 1990s. Shortly after the move, Gallery Cottage was built among the tall and elegant gum trees which make 425 Kereru Road a local landmark.

With its back to the main house, the cottage’s patio garden looks out over farmland to the distant mountains. Guests can enjoy complete privacy if they wish, or visit the house to share the odd glass of wine or cup of tea and a chat with their hosts if they feel like it. Judith and Jonathan enjoy meeting people and will be only too pleased to pass on their knowledge of local restaurants, activities and places to visit in Hawkes Bay and further afield.

The cottage provides modern cooking facilities, but for the days when cooking does not appeal, the Chook and Filly café bar is roughly five kilometres away and open for meals between Wednesday and Sunday. The nearby village of Havelock North has a good selection of restaurants and a little further afield, Hastings and Napier offer huge choice in eating places. Maraekakaho is in the heart of Hawkes Bay wine country and visitors driving from Hastings or Napier will pass dozens of vineyards, some of which have wonderful restaurants.