Entire home

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 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)
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)
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

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
The current price is SAR 780
SAR 1,420 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Oct - 28 Oct

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);

Similar properties

A two-story building with a sign reading "The Boathouse Lodge" and amenities listed such as family rooms, shared dorms, private rooms, in-room bike storage, and free breakfast.
The Boathouse Lodge
Picton
  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Housekeeping
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, 229 reviews
The price is SAR 166
SAR 194 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Nov - 2 Nov
The Boathouse Lodge
Compare similar properties

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 26 Shawwal 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Gunyah Retreat - Exclusive Island Escape with Ocean View, Marlborough Sounds on 27 Shawwal 2026 start from SAR 780, 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, Edwin Fox, and Picton Foreshore. Edwin Fox Museum and Picton Museum are also within 20 mi (32 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

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

10

Exceptional

9.2

Cleanliness

10

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot to relax and enjoy the surroundings

Great hosts and spot, we enjoyed some fishing and the bay. Awesome time had by all.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family xmas holiday

Excellent location and hosts, be prepared for a bit of a walk, but the location and view make it all worthwhile. Lovely sheltered house site overlooking the entrance to Tory channel.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

Amazing views off Tory Channel. The hosts were great really enjoyed the paua pearl tour.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

Lovely family gathering for Christmas. Stayed for 8 nights. Relaxing and plenty for us to do. We brought our own boat and had a mooring provided. Our hosts were amazing, everything was thought of. They met us at the jetty and transported all our gear up to the bach and were available whenever we needed to get out to the boat. The beach where you land is beautiful and there is enough walking and views to keep you busy doing lots or a little. Just a warning they sell beautiful pāua pearl jewelery which may hit your back pocket a little! Wonderful stay! Can’t recommend enough.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Adventure

Awesome trip and experience
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Biloxi Vacatiom

We were well pleased with our stay. Condo was just as described in the listing. Will rent again when in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best stay

We had a wonderful stay at Gunyah with wonderful incredibly helpful hosts. Very responsive communication. Accomodation was retro and delightful loved every bit of our stay here. Fabulous!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

Wonderful location and property. Nothing was a problem for hosts Antonia and Mike. They are such lovely people. Selfishly I’d like to discourage people from staying here as I’d like it available any time for us to return.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

A wonderful spot that suited our group (2 families) really well.

A wonderful spot that suited our group (2 families) really well. We enjoyed the old-school feel of the house, with its awesome floral carpet and green kitchen cupboards etc, and you could sit for hours in front of that view. Heaps of good walks, fishing, kayaking, great paua farm tour, Smokey the Friendliest Horse in Existence... Only downside was very soft bed in main house that also has footboard (problematic for tall people). The sleepout bed is really good though. Loved Gunyah - you must go!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family retreat

Lots to do. Relaxing, great hosts, always willing to help.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning location

A very special place
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

The only thing I would change is next time, I am bringing my dive gear! Lovely hosts and a quaint cottage that has a one of a kind view. Ask for a tour of the Paua Farm, it's incredible!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Neat spot

Great place everything very handy fishing etc Nice house very comfortable Will be back for sure Thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kind Owners

Antonia was very helpful! It is a lovely property
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Weekend

Brilliant stay! Thank you so much to Antonia and Mike. Made us feel very at home and were so accommodating and easy to deal with. Highly recommend the Arapawa Homestead for future stays :)
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Outstanding .. simply amazing

What a place to call paradise... and to the beautiful family who welcomed us .. opened up there home and shared there amazing life with us ..so much to do for the children and relaxing as much as you possibly want .. look forward to many more trips there .. highly highly recommend all going to this piece of paradise
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Unforgettable!

Our brief stay was all we wanted and more. The landscape, the views, the historic homestead, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the ocean, and even the weather, all were wonderful. The Radon whanau made us feel very welcome on their island home. Would highly recommend to those who want to get away from it all. We will return :)
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Fantastic property with amazing views.

Fantastic property with amazing views. Loads to see and do in this area. Well worth a visit to the whaling station. We would highly recommend this place to anyone.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Arapawa Homestead ticked so many boxes for us!

Arapawa Homestead ticked so many boxes for us! Fantastic secluded location, surrounded simply by nature and history. The homestead itself is a fantastic period home with stunning views of the Tory Channel. Rain or shine the island has a lot to offer. Would love to go back!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Same as above

Same as above
Archival

10/10 Excellent

A few of the words we used to describe our stay, in our nightly diary.

A few of the words we used to describe our stay, in our nightly diary.....stars, sunshine, sunrise, history, paua culture.picket fence, pohutukawa, weka, stunning, beacons, ferries passing. A most memorable stay and we all hope to return for a longer stay.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

amazing- stunning view, well set up with everything you need.

amazing- stunning view, well set up with everything you need. Whole family enjoyed it and a lt of this was due to the hosts family being so welcoming and friendly as well.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

We loved the 1960's look of Gunyah.

We loved the 1960's look of Gunyah. Watching the ferries pass by and reminiscing with one of our group about living on this farm in the 60's made it all extra special. Great tour guide for our visit to the Paua Business too. We hope to return!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Great place to visit and stay and highly recommend to all, we have rebooked for a weeks holiday alre

Great place to visit and stay and highly recommend to all, we have rebooked for a weeks holiday already and cant wait to come back
Archival

10/10 Excellent

We loved our time at the farm, was very relaxing, awesome views and fishing.

We loved our time at the farm, was very relaxing, awesome views and fishing. The Radons couldn't do enough for you. Thank you for an awesome stay.