Stylish estuary-front bach  |  House in Parapara

Experience glorious Golden Bay at this stylish family bach on the edges of the Parapara Inlet. Explore amazing Farewell Spit, visit the Abel Tasman National Park and lunch at Awaroa Lodge, relax in the rustic ambience of the famous Mussel Inn, stroll along the deserted Parapara Beach, hike nature trails in the area, head to the Collingwood Court House for a great coffee. Or stay put and read while the tides change, the wekas call and the reddening sun slips behind the distant hills.
The space
Elegant and stylish: Two Tides sits lightly on a private wetland-fronted north-facing site on the fringes of the Parapara inlet. Designed by award-winning Nelson architects, Arthouse Architecture, it is beautifully positioned and built for all-day sun. Elegant and stylish, compact yet uncluttered, it is furnished to high standards of quality and comfort.
Lodge-like stay on a holiday home budget: Glass joinery doors open onto decks to the north and east to expand the living space on warm days. Double-glazed and fully insulated, it also has a Warmington Studio woodburner/oven and an oil column heater for to ensure toasty winter warmth. Throughout the seasons, this family bach will appeal to those who appreciate the finer things in life -- and lodge-like accommodation on a holiday-home budget! – even when they have sand between their toes.
Extended capacity, remote working: To the original four-person bach we have now added a similarly stylish architect-designed studio complete with ensuite -- and a workspace for those wanting to mix their R&R with remote working or needing a little separate space. The studio extends the capacity from four people to six, not only for our own family when we are in residence, but for larger visiting parties. To maintain the sense of privacy and calm which is an essential part of the Two Tides experience, this will not be rented separate from the bach itself. Cleaning, maintenance, insurance and utilities costs will mean an additional cost to open the Studio for occupancy – this is reflected in the per person additional charge ($75 per person per night, $150 per couple) above the four-person bach occupancy. The studio was specifically designed to include a writing alcove or remote workspace. A monitor with HDMI cable is provided for laptop connection. On occasion, it may be possible to open the studio to a bach occupant requiring separate remote workspace, for a smaller charge. Apply to Simon.
Bed configurations: There are two bedrooms in the bach, the main one with queen bed. The second bedroom can either be two singles or made up as a king bed, depending on visitor requirements. The studio offers a further Queen bed.
An eco-friendly family bach: Two Tides is very much a family bach with decor, art, ceramics, kitchenware, linen etc reflecting our personal tastes. It is not a motel, and we hope guests will treat it as they would their own place. We keep a selection of kitchen equipment and common non-perishable items -- condiments, oils, vinegars, herbs, spices, teas and coffee -- for visitors' use but cannot always guarantee a complete range. Eco-friendly cleaning products, and shampoos and body washes are also provided to protect the bio-organisms in the property's waste treatment system. As for waste treatment, there is no mains water supply. Water is rain-fed to a large tank, pumped and filtered. It is safe to drink, but the supply is not infinite so care with running taps and overly long showers is requested.
Location, location, location: Located in Parapara Beach Road, it is about 15 minutes from Takaka (where there is an excellent supermarket), a few minutes’ drive from the famous Mussel Inn at Onekaka and, equally, a short distance by car from the Courthouse Café, shops, and the pub in Collingwood – which does great fish and chips. It is an ideal situation from which to explore the many attractions Golden Bay has to offer: from Farewell Spit and Wharariki Beach to Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs and Wainui Falls. Or to rest up after one of the many hikes the area offers including, of course, the Abel Tasman, and when it is back to full operations, the Heaphy Track.
Arts, crafts and kayaking: There are a number of artists’ and potters’ studios in the near vicinity including Tim Jessup, Anatoth, Rinopai, Sue Dasler at the Collingwood Courthouse, and Estuary Arts, among others. A short stoll away is the Aorere Futures Trust boatshed, established to provide young people in the area with an introduction to water sports: we make an annual donation to the trust so that our visitors can use the trust’s kayaks, paddleboards and small sailing dinghies on the estuary.
Beaches, wild beauty and a good book: Golden Bay is celebrated for its beaches – Parapara beach is a mere 200-metre distant – for its isolation and wild beauty, its wildlife and birds, its original and vibrant arts scene, its off-beat but compelling eateries, numerous walks and nature trails, and the friendliness of its people. Two Tides is ideally placed for an introduction to all of these. But it is also the perfect, peaceful haven in which to curl up with a good book and admire the view.
Guest access
The entire property is available to guests -- all of the bach and deck, including the connected decking around the studio, and the surrounding lawn/garden areas. However, access to the studio itself depends on whether guests have opted to include this in their stay. Note there is no direct access to the estuary from the property at this time. The best access to the estuary is from the boathouse about 200m back towards the main road.
Other things to note
More about the studio, remote working etc: For guests who may be combining their stay in the bach with some remote working and need separate space from family, for example, access to it at a small cost may be arranged with the owner.
At times when we are staying ourselves, and the property appears booked, the studio (or the bach), may be available so it is worth inquiring. This would be on the understanding that you would not have sole occupancy of the property, with appropriate pricing adjustments.