I stayed here for one night with my two sons (age 6 and 10). It was a doable uphill walk from the Driving Creek Railway. The boys loved being able to run around with a good amount of freedom on the property. It was a nice contrast to much of traveling. We were here in early spring, so it was chilly and drizzling. The main house heated up well with the fireplace, and the kids had loads of fun learning that Mom knew how to use an ax to make kindling. They LOVED the outdoor shower. It was warm enough to be comfortable even when it was cold outside, and who doesn't love looking up through a tree fern at the moon while taking a shower? The windows of the house look out into a forest of tree ferns and other native plants. The dawn chorus was a mix of Tui birds and chickens waking up. Mark was a kind host, and took the time to introduce the boys to his flock of chickens. The potter Petra Meyboden has her workshop just on the other side of a garden from the cottage, and she was so welcoming and let the boys watch her work on a piece of pottery. There are other people who live on the property as well, and everyone was kind and friendly to the boys.