Magical treehouse accommodation, surrounded by nature awaits you at Away Waiheke at the eastern end of Waiheke Island. Having previously stayed in the cabin on the same site, my friend Renee excitedly brought me to the treehouse for a long weekend.
Our lovely host Sue, met us as we arrived at Away Waiheke from the winding unsealed Cowes Bay Road. From the carpark you wander down a winding path through the bush, which is lit at night by guiding fairy lights at the edges. There’s then a boardwalk entrance to the treehouse itself which is octagonal and made of untreated timber on a solid central base with a winding staircase to the forest floor.
This treehouse accommodation is surrounded by kauri (estimated to have been standing 800 and 900 years), nikau, manuka, and other native New Zealand bush, full of native birds including weka which squak at night and kereru which appeared to crash land on the roof. As we wandered down Sue explained how the treehouse accommodation was built using materials helicoptered onto the secluded site.
Inside the main space is a queen size bed as well as a couch with can be made up as a second bed in order to sleep up to four people. The wood burner tested my fire lighting skills but came with newspaper, kindling, pinecones and plenty of wood to keep the treehouse cozy and warm. The bathroom and lower level is accessed by a trapdoor and steps.
Away Waiheke also has a (complementary) outdoor hot tub, made from an old wine vat which keeps heat and is filled with water from a nearby fresh spring. Massages and facials are available at a price in a safari tent on site.
If you don’t want to head to the restaurants at Onetangi Beach, you can stock up at the supermarket in Ostend and take advantage of the full cooking facilities and two fridges. Breakfast is included for guests here and there was coffee, a range of teas, muesli, fresh fruit (raspberries and a pineapple), coconut yoghurt and soy milk. At our request Sue also sourced us Oat milk when she went into town. All the health and beauty and cleaning products are free of nasties and the teas, coffee, crockery etc. were noticeably local as well as natural and organic.
You’re forced to switch off when you stay at Away Waiheke given there’s no wifi. If that’s a thought which panics you the Spark network (which also covers Skinny mobile customers) is available in parts of the treehouse with 3G however Vodafone is intermittent. Full reception is available up at the carpark.
On our third day we planned to go for a walk but it absolutely poured down just as we were about to leave. Instead we opened a bottle of wine and pulled out a board game. If board games are not your thing there’s a well curated record collection Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, the Sound of Music, Little River Band ABBA.
I can confirm that staying in the treehouse accommodation at Away Waiheke is perfect for a special break with your bestie as well as a romantic partner.
