Sometimes when you book accommodation based on the photos, there is a certain amount of trepidation until you actually get there.
This was not the case with Putotoe, as it was everything the photos indicated, except for one main difference. This was the soundtrack of the waves which remained with us for our entire stay. There are not many places available to rent where you can walk off the balcony, down a few steps and then be confronted by an amazing vista of one of New Zealand’s most beautiful harbours at your doorstep.
We were able to fish off the beach in front of the house, walk down the to the local hotel and jetty, or just laze on the deck and look across to Hokianga’s famous sand dunes.
Plenty to do with some amazing walks; in fact, we visited the headland to the harbour one day to discover an incredible collection of natural rock pools, and it is also a very short drive to see Tane Mahuta, the largest kauri tree in NZ. That is a must do.
This is a small cottage and I stayed with my wife and 11 year old son. There is a bunk room, so the place can sleep 4, but I’d advise anyone wishing to stay and self cater to treat this as an upmarket camping trip and take your own portable gas cooker (or similar), plus some pots and other kitchen utensils. The cottage is really well equipped with a pod coffee machine, toaster, lots of crockery, glasses, etc, but the kitchen is only a small sink, fridge and microwave. The owner does lend their barbecue (a baby Weber), so we were able to cater for ourselves adequately with everything supplied, plus our own gear.
If you enjoy water activities, then take a kayak or paddle board, but check with the owner about taking a boat, as the driveway into the property is very narrow and getting a boat down it may be very tricky. Cyclists, this place would be perfect to use as a base if you want to do the new cycle way from Opua to the Hokianga.