Hideouts down under
nestled in its own private bay.
The cave, built into the side of the hill, is full of surprises: a bottle of champagne on arrival, sauna, huge double shower, private beach and deck overlooking a stunning coastal vista.
If you’ve ever been to the Greek island Santorini this feels like a Kiwi version. Don’t miss having a go with the in-cave telescope; the area has very little light pollution so the visibility is stunning.
One of Northland’s bestundiscovered walks is nearby too.
The Mahinepua Peninsula track is like walking the spine of a dragon with spectacular staircases along the ridgeline and plenty of empty beaches.
Mornings at the cave are something to look forward to, with a sumptuous DIY breakfast of bacon and eggs, fresh fruit salad and granola ready to prepare.
Donkey Bay Inn – Bay of Islands
Donkey Bay Inn is an adults-only retreat in the Bay of Islands. The enormous lodge is built into the side of a hill, overlooking its own bay, like something straight out of Thunderbirds. And it’s seriously hidden; sitting under 330-tonnes of soil, with a flax plantation on top.
To access the property, you walk through a yellow tunnel – which opens up to an elaborate garden, before eventually revealing the luxury lodge with uninterrupted views of the ocean.
Upstairs you’ll find the unapologetically sensual ‘‘Skyfall Suite’’. It has a lounge, an enormous bedroom (with a fair few mirrors) and a bathroom that looks like it’s been designed for royalty. The bath is so big, one person would feel lonely in it.
Downstairs are two smaller suites and a few eclectic communal areas. As you would expect in such a flamboyant retreat, the included breakfast is a suitably elaborate affair.
This article was produced with the support of the accommodation providers listed and Tourism New Zealand.