Bird Rock Retreat was one of our favorite stays in all of NZ during our seven weeks in this gorgeous country. I can’t recommend it highly enough. The views are simply incredible: sunsets, sunrises, the sea, the birds! The name of the home is perfect. We saw tui and kaka and heard the morepork. The Kent wood fired stove made our stay so cozy. The kitchen is stocked, and beautifully appointed. It was such a pleasure to cook here, and our kind and generous host shared the most delicious lemons from the tree just outside. We made lemonade, lemon scones and lemon cake. Relaxing and reading in the hammock and listening to the tui as the sunset was a dream. Great Barrier Island is amazing. We hiked and explored all day and came back to this perfect home to rest and relax. Thank you to Ballinger for this memorable and marvelous week at Bird Rock!