Bach 114 Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island
Cottage in Auckland
7 guests · 3 bedrooms · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Family friendly and more
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About this cottage rental
Step back in time to a more leisurely age and holiday in a historic Rangitoto bach. Book to stay overnight on Auckland’s iconic volcanic island.
Bach 114 is located near Islington Bay on a promontory above the old tennis courts & stone pavilion. This bach is a 1 and a ½ hour walk along the road from Rangitoto Wharf towards Motutapu Island or a 2 and a ½ hour kayak from Auckland to Islington Bay.
Since the 1920s the baches on Rangitoto have been available to only a few lucky families but now you can join them. This bach has been lovingly restored by the Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust (RIHCT) with the addition of modern bedding, cooking and toilet facilities.
Bach 114 is the larger of the three Bookabach baches available, with 2 bedrooms and 7 single beds. There is a large dining/sitting room and a light spacious sun-porch. Gas cooking and heating are installed and solar panels operate the lighting system and 12v chilly bin. The bach is totally ‘off grid’ complete with a cassette style toilet.
Getting there:
Bach 114 is located in mature Pohutukawa forest at Islington Bay, on the road junction to Islington Bay. The Bach is a 2 minute walk from Islington Bay Wharf along the road or an hour and a half walk from Rangitoto Wharf. There is a network of well-defined walking tracks on both islands giving access to the volcanic features of Rangitoto and the native bush restoration and archaeological sites on Motutapu. Both islands are pest free and you will see native birds and other native wildlife often absent on the mainland.
While the rocky shoreline of Rangitoto makes swimming difficult the sandy beaches of Motutapu are just a short walk away.
Know before you go:
- Check in is at midday. Check out is 10am
- Fullers ferries only operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday through winter.
- Rangitoto Island is pest free – No pets are allowed
- There are no shops on Rangitoto Island
- There are no public rubbish bins on Rangitoto
- Travel arrangements must be made separately.
- Access is by Fullers360 Ferry (https://www.fullers.co.nz/timetables-and-fares), Auckland Sea Shuttle or private boat.
Special conditions:
The Department of Conservation biosecurity rules apply.
Small animals, ants, rainbow skinks and weeds or exotic seeds are the biggest threats to the pest-free status of our special islands. Gear that has been in the garage or even stored in the house could be hiding rodents, skinks, insects and seeds.
Extras:
Cleaning (Optional, $100 cash per booking). Please arrange this service directly with the Island Bach Manager. NOTE: If there are back-to-back bookings, in more than one Bach, it may not be possible for the Island Host to offer this service. If the cleaning service is not available, you are expected to leave the Bach in a clean and tidy condition.
As part of your booking you are expected to bring: your own linen/sleeping bag, pillowcase, towel.
Bach 114 is located near Islington Bay on a promontory above the old tennis courts & stone pavilion. This bach is a 1 and a ½ hour walk along the road from Rangitoto Wharf towards Motutapu Island or a 2 and a ½ hour kayak from Auckland to Islington Bay.
Since the 1920s the baches on Rangitoto have been available to only a few lucky families but now you can join them. This bach has been lovingly restored by the Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust (RIHCT) with the addition of modern bedding, cooking and toilet facilities.
Bach 114 is the larger of the three Bookabach baches available, with 2 bedrooms and 7 single beds. There is a large dining/sitting room and a light spacious sun-porch. Gas cooking and heating are installed and solar panels operate the lighting system and 12v chilly bin. The bach is totally ‘off grid’ complete with a cassette style toilet.
Getting there:
Bach 114 is located in mature Pohutukawa forest at Islington Bay, on the road junction to Islington Bay. The Bach is a 2 minute walk from Islington Bay Wharf along the road or an hour and a half walk from Rangitoto Wharf. There is a network of well-defined walking tracks on both islands giving access to the volcanic features of Rangitoto and the native bush restoration and archaeological sites on Motutapu. Both islands are pest free and you will see native birds and other native wildlife often absent on the mainland.
While the rocky shoreline of Rangitoto makes swimming difficult the sandy beaches of Motutapu are just a short walk away.
Know before you go:
- Check in is at midday. Check out is 10am
- Fullers ferries only operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday through winter.
- Rangitoto Island is pest free – No pets are allowed
- There are no shops on Rangitoto Island
- There are no public rubbish bins on Rangitoto
- Travel arrangements must be made separately.
- Access is by Fullers360 Ferry (https://www.fullers.co.nz/timetables-and-fares), Auckland Sea Shuttle or private boat.
Special conditions:
The Department of Conservation biosecurity rules apply.
Small animals, ants, rainbow skinks and weeds or exotic seeds are the biggest threats to the pest-free status of our special islands. Gear that has been in the garage or even stored in the house could be hiding rodents, skinks, insects and seeds.
Extras:
Cleaning (Optional, $100 cash per booking). Please arrange this service directly with the Island Bach Manager. NOTE: If there are back-to-back bookings, in more than one Bach, it may not be possible for the Island Host to offer this service. If the cleaning service is not available, you are expected to leave the Bach in a clean and tidy condition.
As part of your booking you are expected to bring: your own linen/sleeping bag, pillowcase, towel.
Amenities
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Auckland
££££
Ratings and reviews
10.0 / 10.0
Bach was lovely and rustic as advertised, very 30s feel. Floor were quite cold in early September but hosts supplied hot water bottles which were lovely. No double beds only singles.
10.0 / 10.0
Our wonderful hosts made us welcome and gave us all the info we needed to make the most of our three days. The 1930s bach was better than camping for sure and robust shelter in the overnight thunderstorms. Rangitoto has such a unique ecology and the birdlife was stunning, especially the Saddlebacks. Happy to see rare Shore Plovers on Motutapu too. A great experience.
10.0 / 10.0
Magical family weekend destination, with lovely hosts, beautiful birdsong and so much tranquillity. The extra blankets and hot water bottles were a great help on a chilly winter weekend, and the property has possibly the cleanest longdrop we've ever experienced. We'll be back for sure.
10.0 / 10.0
Incredible time it was old but that’s why it was special, steeped in history. Although old it had everything to be comfortable especially the hot water bottles x we will be back
10.0 / 10.0
Weather gods were happy, treks were varied and wild life active.
10.0 / 10.0
We love the tranquility of the location and being immersed in nature. This was our second time at the bach but it still offered new experiences with my children, that we will treasure.
10.0 / 10.0
The bach is certainly a step back in time, we loved discovering all the quirks and the bach's history. It was so lovely and quiet
10.0 / 10.0
We had a wonderful time staying at Bach 114 near Islington bay. It was fantastic to see the preservation of a bygone era. The bach was furnished with awesome memorabilia and located in a beautiful, peaceful spot. Our hosts Quincy and Steph were lovely, ensuring we knew our way around and had a fantastic time. We will be recommending this experience to others and will be back ourselves. Thank you!
10.0 / 10.0
we had a great stay in this historic bach and did some beautiful walks.
10.0 / 10.0
Thanks we had an amazing time, the whole whānau loved it!
10.0 / 10.0
Our family absolutely loved this no frills island escape ... the whole experience, from the ferry trip, to the walk to the bach and the feel of the bach itself. It is beautifully maintained and felt like stepping back in time with the furnishings, crockery etc all in keeping with it's era. The Trust hosts were brilliant to deal with and obviously passionate about sharing and looking after this wonderful piece of history. We hope to return one day :-)
10.0 / 10.0
Lovely bach about 100m from the Islington Bay wharf. Plenty of walkingnoptions on both islands. Bach was very clean and tidy, approximately an hour and a half walk from the Rangitoto wharf if you arrive via ferry.
10.0 / 10.0
Amazing location- welcoming host- clean and easy to live in!
10.0 / 10.0
We had a wonderful opportunity to explore Rangitoto island. staying over night gave us the opportunity to watch the sunrise at the summit. Walking the coast track , Home Bay, and reading about the history of Rangitoto and Motatapu
10.0 / 10.0
Such a treat being able to feel like you are getting away from it all yet easily accessible to Auckland. We parked our car overnight in the downtown car park - only $30 for two days and one night. Appreciated the island hosts Steph and Quincey and easy communication with Susan the booking agent. Thanks so much to the Trust for making these baches accessible. Loved our time on the island.
10.0 / 10.0
This Bach is a lovely hidden gem! So peaceful and nostalgic, in the most beautiful setting on Rangitoto. Our host, Quincy, was so kind and informative. It was absolutely magical in the late afternoon and evening, observing all the wildlife in their glory as the day trippers vanished. My husband and I will definitely return 💚✨
10.0 / 10.0
Great place very peaceful.
10.0 / 10.0
The bach was as described online. A little bit old school and more of a camping style experience but full of all the charm that that entails. Felt so nice to be tucked away from the world in such a beautiful environment. We made the most of our time despite the bad weather but the bach was well stocked with board games and lots of woolly blankets. Steph and Quincy were such lovely hosts and we can’t wait to come back.
10.0 / 10.0
We had an amazing "once-in-a-lifetime" experience staying at this beautiful historic Bach 114. The island host, Quincy, was very helpful and patient when we had some issues anchoring our boat. There are plenty of things to do at the islands, even though it may not seem like it at first.
10.0 / 10.0
Great stay, cassette toilet relatively clean. Was nicer than camping, great to have some running water and chilly bin. Great location near Motutapu as well.
10.0 / 10.0
Great place to stay for exploring Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands. It was like stepping back in time and a lovely place to unwind and relax and enjoy the amazing scenery and birdlife.
Thanks to Quincy and Steph for the wonderful welcome and the sharing of your local knowledge.
We will definitely be coming back.
10.0 / 10.0
Awesome spot. Hopefully be back for longer.
10.0 / 10.0
Great way to get away from city life. The Bach was simple with everything we needed. Great hosts. Great holiday. Lots of walking and birds.
Can’t wait to go again.
10.0 / 10.0
A magical experience.....stillness, birds and a heritage comfortable bach. Be prepared for a long walk from the wharf .....well worth it
10.0 / 10.0
Great bach
10.0 / 10.0
An amazing stay filled with a new appreciation for the history of Rangitoto. Quincy and Steph are lovely hosts and communication was brilliant. What a privilege and treat to explore a side of the island I don’t usually have time to walk around. I learned so much about the history of the island and old baches. Saw a Ruru amongst lots of bird life. Had a wonderful swim and explored Motutapu as well. I’ve never done so much walking and being the only people at the summit to see the sunset and watching sunrise as well is so special. The bach is charming and had all the comforts plus the fun of outside toilet and shower. Highly recommend. Will definitely aim to revisit.
10.0 / 10.0
What a wonderful place to use as a home base for exploring Rangitoto and Motutapu! Quincy and Steph gave a great tour and introduction to the place, pointing out any little quirks to know about. The kitchen was well equipped, and the gas stove worked great. Cosy little bedrooms, and plenty of extra beds, so bring along some friends!
10.0 / 10.0
The feeling of being dropped off on the iconic Rangitoto island and watching the water taxi sailing away was so exciting. The lovely Quincy and Steph, were there to help us with check in, and throughout the stay, with such useful tips and stories of the island. We loved seeing the takahe and Saddlebacks. Fishing from the wharf. Walk around the island baches and across to shipwreck bay. The accomodation was exactly as expected. Magical. The baches are entirely off grid, but with some of the creature comforts of home (solar light in each room, solar powered chilly bin, indoor cooking jobs, and running cold water. The decor is just too lovely - all historic and with furniture to match. We were there for 3 nights in a windy and cold September but found the accomodation to be lovely and snug. The baches are historic and off the grid so some mod cons are absent but that is exactly what is so special about them. We also hired the other Bach in Islington bay for our friends, they loved it too. This Bach is next to the old tennis court so lots of room for kids to run around with a ball. The other is right on the water. Both were delightful and an easy 3 min walk between them. Thanks again to the amazing hosts who made our trip so special. Highly recommended.
10.0 / 10.0
Loved it
10.0 / 10.0
Thanks for an amazing trip in this beautiful location - the kids loved it and we had a fantastic time
10.0 / 10.0
Nice quiet stay at Rangitoto
10.0 / 10.0
Great place to stay, fantastic decor and super handy for exploring both Rangitoto and Motutapu. Kids had an amazing time.
10.0 / 10.0
Perfect hide out during the day on a cold day on Rangitoto. Done some great walks! The bach was a great shelter though during heavy rain and awaiting the ferry with our young kids.
10.0 / 10.0
1930s bach in great condition with plenty of space for the family. The kids loved exploring the bush, the beach and kayaking at Islington bay.
Thank you to Quincy and Steph for hosting us.
Wished I could have stayed longer
10.0 / 10.0
Great trip back to yester year.
Everything we needed and nothing we didn’t.
Cold - but we were able to rug up.
10.0 / 10.0
Great weather. 1930s bungalow helping you understand what life was like less than 100 years ago. Great guide. Thanks for awesome weekend
10.0 / 10.0
Just as described… lovely
10.0 / 10.0
I wasn't able to go as I had Covid but the others said:
The location is private and not hard to find, offers authentic stay, clean tidy and fun, lots to do, easy access to wharf and motutapu island, the hosts were friendly, informative and helpful, definitely stay again!
10.0 / 10.0
Lovely original batch with original features. Felt like an escape from Auckland. Protected from gale NE winds, calm lagoon for swimming.
10.0 / 10.0
We were a group of 7 girls ranging in age from 30 to 70 .We came to do the the walks .We had a marvellous time .Quinsy the manger was a great source of information and extremely helpful.
FAQs
How much does this cottage cost compared to others in Auckland?
The average price for a rental in Auckland is £115 per night. This rental is £27 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this cottage?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Bach 114 Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this cottage?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this cottage. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Bach 114 Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this cottage is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Bach 114 Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island?
We found 3 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, garden, and family friendly.
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