Bankside Cottage Cascadia
Escape the city to a riverside hideaway made for slow mornings and long overdue catch-ups.
Cook up a feast in the full kitchen, then head out to the wraparound deck, wildflower garden or huge lawns – hammocks swaying, reading nooks waiting, picnic spots scattered for lazy afternoons.
Kids will lose themselves in the flying fox, field maze, soccer field, tree hut and sandpit, while the riverside beach sits just steps away, for when the water calls. Bring your pooch!
Off-grid, unhurried, simply lovely.
Kitchen & Dining
Step into a chef’s kitchen made for summer’s slow pleasures. Native timber countertops glow under soft light, paired with beautiful kitchenware and a generous breakfast bar—perfect for conversation that drifts as easily as the meal takes shape.
Everything you need is here: gas hobs and oven, a vast fridge-freezer, double sink, dishwasher, French press, chef’s knives, and stainless steel and cast-iron cookware ready for family feasts.
When the cooking is done, carry your feast outdoors. Dine on the deck, linger at the breakfast bar, or gather around an array of picnic tables nestled in the landscaped gardens—picnic spots galore, where every meal becomes a sunlit celebration beneath the trees.
Bedrooms
Two restful bedrooms offer a peaceful sanctuary where the gentle sound of the rive right outside the window. With three comfortable beds arranged to accommodate up to five guests, it is an ideal setup for families or couples alike. A plush queen in one room and a double/single on top bunk bed in the other.
Bathrooms
The cottage features one tidy bathroom equipped with a corner shower. A white vanity is paired with a round mirror, creating a fresh space to start your day. Plush towels and essential toiletries are provided for your convenience.
Outdoor Areas
Beyond the kitchen, the outdoors unfolds like a living playground. Picnic tables wait in quiet corners while a hammock sway gently above the river, inviting long, lazy afternoons. Wander the field maze, lose yourself among wildflower gardens, or stretch out across the huge lawns that roll toward the water.
A soft riverside beach offers sandy toes and gentle swimming, flanked by 300 year old beech forest. A thriving permaculture garden invites curious hands. For adventure and play there is a flying fox, a treehut high among the branches, and a sandpit for little explorers.
When the day softens, gather on the covered deck or settle into the olive-tree seating, where shade and stillness turn the day down.
Entertainment
When the day invites slower pleasures, a quiet library of books and a collection of board games wait indoors, ready for rainy afternoons or evenings by the fire. Outside, beanbags scatter across the lawns for soft landings and lazy lounging, while outdoor games and a wide soccer field call for laughter, friendly matches, and barefoot energy.
Nearby
Bankside Cottage at Kaituna is an off-grid home set directly on the banks of the Waingawa River in rural west Wairarapa, where the river tumbles down out of the Tararua Ranges. It’s a beautiful, peaceful spot, and one you won’t find quite the same anywhere else in the region.
Native birds abound and you can hear the river from everywhere. Near enough to a large town for quick amenities or restaurants, opposite a large sheep farm for that quintessential Wairarapa view, and flanked by a river gorge, you will feel simply far away from it all. Only 700 metres from the beginning of the northern crossing of the Tararua Ranges, for day hikes or river adventures.
House Rules
If the wind whips up please secure everything you’ve left outside, immediately.
Pups: Max x1 Outside only, keep them with you at all times – no roaming please as there is farmland adjacent and it’s not fully fenced – pop them in the run provided, or on lead. Please clean up after your dog.
Please keep all gates closed. Smoking outside only.
Without prior arrangement; No drones. No events. No commercial photography or filming.
Occupancy for Bankside Cottage is five persons maximum, no exceptions. You will be asked to leave if this is not respected as the property is off-grid and this is the most it can sustainably accommodate.
All activities are at your own risk, we accept no liability for accidents, property loss/damage or personal injury.
Safety Features
Smoke alarms fitted. Exterior security cameras present. Safety considerations, there is access to a body of water (river). Play structure on the property and heights without rails or protection.
Accessibility Features
Accessible parking on‑site
Booking Cancellation Policy
Guests may cancel their booking up to 7 full days before check-in to receive a full refund of the booking amount. Cancellations made less than 7 full days before check-in are non-refundable. The 3% bank payment fee is non-refundable in all cases.