Tokomaru - Harakeke Cottage ….an eye opener !... will definitely return !
We booked the Harakeke Cottage for almost a month when on a trip to see my mother in Levin and looking for somewhere interesting to stay. We wanted more than a motel and not a bed and breakfast in somebody’s house.
We searched the net for listed options from Waikanae to Foxton. I grew up in Levin, before moving overseas, and drove through Tokomaru for 10 years or more and never bothered to stop. Harakeke Cottage was chosen as it looked interesting despite my reservation on the Tokomaru location.
The cottage was Perfect! Marie and Matt had built the cottage as a temporary home on the property while building their permanent home. The cottage was beautifully fitted out with all the essentials for a small home. Things like underfloor heating, double glazing, induction Hob, dishwasher and full laundry. Needless to say it was spotlessly clean and had a good high-speed internet connection. Perfect for our extended stay. The sun shone into the lounge and dining area in the morning and then warmed the bedroom and large outside deck in the afternoon.
We loved the cottage and then discovered that Tokomaru was a very pleasant little township. Only one general store, but only 20 minutes’ drive to Palmerston or Levin on easy driving roads. A perfect getaway location for attending events in the region or just soaking up the lush countryside.
From the cottage we discovered great walks on narrow paved roads north, south, east and west through flat dairy farming area just outside the gate. Only a 3 km walk up to a beautiful little river swimming hole at Horseshoe bend.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Marie and Matt were always there if we had a question, but their house was far enough away that we felt like we were really in the countryside on our own.
As essentially city people, we were converted, and we will definitely return to Harakeke cottage in the countryside at Tokomaru…. if available!!