Take the tour
Relax at the Eco-Lodge
Step inside the open-plan lodge – the entertainer's kitchen, the covered deck over the valley, and the solar power that keeps it all off-grid.
Eco-Lodge Tour 3 min · sound onFifty acres of native bush and mixed forest, a long driveway behind you, and nobody else in sight. The lodge sits high above the Matakana valley, completely off grid and completely private – close enough to the village for dinner, far enough that most of what you’ll hear is birdsong.
If you have been meaning to put your phone down, this is the place to do it. The view runs out across the valley to the Hauraki Gulf and Hauturu / Little Barrier Island, and Matakana village is a seven-minute drive back down the hill.
The lodge
Open plan, and built for the kind of evening where everyone ends up in the kitchen anyway. There is a full entertainer’s kitchen, and a large covered deck looking out over native bush to the valley and the gulf beyond – the sort of deck you end up eating every meal on.
Four bedrooms sleep eight. The master has a fully equipped ensuite. Upstairs, a large loft holds a king bed and its own toilet. Two more bedrooms downstairs have queen beds.
It suits families and groups who actually want to be in the same place at the same time – room to spread out, without anyone disappearing for the afternoon. It also makes a comfortable base if you are up here for a wedding or a gathering nearby.
The whole house is yours, and so is everything around it. There are more places to sit outside than you would expect – one for the morning coffee, another for the last of the sun.
Nearby
Almost everything worth the drive is fifteen to thirty minutes away. Omaha and Pakiri for long open beaches. The Leigh Sawmill for a beer and live local music. Goat Island Marine Reserve, New Zealand’s first, where you can snorkel straight off the beach.
Tāwharanui Regional Park is the one people come back talking about: golden beaches through the day, and a real chance of spotting a kiwi after dark.
A few things to know
The lodge sits on what we think of as an experimental farm and nature reserve, and it is still a working piece of land. There are real hazards in places, including waterways and some steep ground, so please stick to the paths and keep children well away from them.
The regenerative garden immediately outside is the exception to the rule: there is a section of culinary herbs and salad greens there we would love you to cook with. We do ask that you leave the rest of the farm’s produce where it is.
Inside, it is a properly built house with modern conveniences and satellite internet – off grid does not mean roughing it. There is ample solar power and storage behind it all, and a pile of games and DVDs for families.
We are improving the land a little more each season, cutting new paths to walk and finding new places to sit. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
“My favourite AirBnb so far! Immaculately presented and just renovated my jaw dropped when walking in” (Kasey)
“This place is incredible - one of the best AirBnb’s I’ve ever stayed in. It’s been recently renovated and it looks amazing. Perfect for a group, comfy, cosy and relaxing. 10/10!” (Jasper)
Highlights
- Open-plan living with a full entertainer’s kitchen
- Large covered deck overlooking the Matakana valley
- Master with ensuite, king loft + two queen bedrooms
- Fireplace, floor heating and solar energy
- Regenerative garden with culinary herbs for guests
- Parking for up to 6 cars
Take a look around
Gallery
Plan your stay
Scandinavian Eco-Lodge availability
Live availability from our booking system – weekends and holidays book out well in advance.
Available Booked Check-out only
What our guests say
Reviews
★★★★★5.0 · reviews across Google, Airbnb & Booking.com
★★★★★
via GoogleWonderful
Wonderful large home surrounded by bush and a stream, peaceful and comfortable with large rooms and 2 bathrooms. location close to Matakana Village. It was the perfect option for our extended family to stay and to get to and from The Stables Wedding venue.
★★★★★
via GoogleWhat a gem!
Loved everything! Was large enough to comfortably house 8 adults. Facilities were fantastic - new and comfortable. Communication was excellent. Quite a steep windy road to get to the property but you get used to it. The views are spectacular from the balcony. If we're lucky enough to return to Matakana, we will be back!
★★★★★
via GoogleExceptional
Great location. A getaway in nature without being too far from the main amenities of Matakana. The place was beautiful and comfortably accommodated 8 adults.
★★★★★
via AirbnbBeautiful tranquil accommodation
Beautiful accommodation in a relaxing and tranquil spot, Had everything we needed and checking in and out was straightforward - thank you!
★★★★★
via GoogleGreat place for a big group!
A serene, nature getaway with all the bells and whistles! Lots of creature comforts while hiding away from the world! What a delightful and breath-taking place to be. You can even see the milky way at night! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, thank you Dee and Damon for sharing your beautiful home with us! If you get a chance to stay we highly recommend it!
★★★★★
via Booking.comTranquil, relaxing, cozy and perfect!
We had the most beautiful time away at the Matakana Retreat! We were there during a storm and it was so cozy. The rooms were all perfect. The kitchen was amazing. The fire kept us nice and toasty. We loved every minute of it! Highly recommend.
★★★★★
via Booking.comBeautiful spot in the bush. Lovely house with lots of character.
★★★★★
via AirbnbWonderful
Lovely location, comfortable bedding, beautiful home and wonderful hosts.
★★★★★
via GoogleUnwind and disconnect
Nestled in a secluded valley a short drive from Matakana village, Matakana Retreat offers wonderfully comfortable accommodation in a modern and well equipped lodge. This is a place you can truly unwind and disconnect whilst feeling close to nature (with reliable wifi for those who need to remain connected). Definitely a place I hope to return to with my family and friends in the future.
★★★★★
via AirbnbIncredible
My favourite air bnb so far! Immaculately presented and it has just been renovated and my jaw dropped when walking in. Wrap around deck is great in sun and rain as there is ample covering. The kitchen breakfast bar and dining table provide great accomodation for guests. Incredible interior design. Wish we had longer!
★★★★★
via AirbnbWe had a lovely stay at Damon's place and would definitely recommend it. We stayed in October and it was nice and warm. It's a beautiful house and location. Thank you Damon and Dee.
★★★★★
via AirbnbBeautiful secluded stay. Very clean and cozy. Cupboards were stocked with all the essentials. Hosts were very responsive and friendly. We loved our stay here!
★★★★★
via AirbnbThis is a very cozy, peaceful and beautiful place to stay. Great for large groups. Damon was a superb host. Thanks for everything!
★★★★★
via GoogleWe recently had the opportunity to stay at Matakana Retreat, and it was a most relaxing and enjoyable experience. The lodge is located in the heart of the Matakana wine region, and is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, native forest and fabulous views, it's incredibly peaceful and private and is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.We ventured out a few times and enjoyed being so close to everything this wonderful area has to offer including surf beaches, walks, cafes, shops and the popular Matakana Markets.The lodge itself has a cosy fire, gorgeous kitchen with wrap around decks for outdoor BBQ's and plenty of comfy spots to hang out. The bedrooms are spacious with large, comfortable beds and well appointed bathrooms. Can highly recommend as a perfect place to relax, recharge and create lasting memories with your partner, friends and family.
★★★★★
via AirbnbSuch an awesome, tranquil place to stay. Used it as a space for wedding preparations and it was perfect - heaps of space to get ready and perfect place for photo opportunities.Damon and co were super helpful and accomodating! 5 stars!
★★★★★
via AirbnbWow, Matakana Retreat was sublime. The home was even better than expected - the photos do not do it justice! surrounded by beautiful, peaceful bush, the perfect place to unwind. We booked for a girls weekend retreat and had a spectacular time, we wish we could have stayed longer. We didn't have the greatest weather for the weekend so we had to cancel our outdoor plans but we still made the most of it playing games and watching DVDs. Damon was a great host who sent through incredibly helpful instructions prior to check in (maps was a bit funny with directions). If you're thinking of booking Matakana Retreat - DO IT! 11/10 will book again.
Good to know
About the Scandinavian Eco-Lodge
How many people does the Scandinavian Eco-Lodge sleep?
The Scandinavian Eco-Lodge sleeps up to 8 guests, across 4 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms, in 350 square metres.
Is there wifi at the Scandinavian Eco-Lodge?
Yes. The Scandinavian Eco-Lodge has Starlink satellite broadband, so you can stay connected if you need to. The property is off-grid and solar powered, but that does not mean cut off.
Is the driveway difficult to drive up?
It is steep, and its steepness makes some guests nervous the first time. It is sealed concrete the whole way to the top, though, and taking it slowly is genuinely all there is to it. There is plenty of parking at the top and room to turn around, so you will not be reversing back down it.
Is the lodge warm in winter?
Yes. It is the one stay built for cold weather. A wood burner heats the living space, the hot water and the underfloor heating that runs through the gallery area, and the house is double glazed and very well insulated with passive warmth designed into the stone floors. Hot water comes off the gas as well, so you are never waiting on the fire for a shower.
Will the power run out?
No. The lodge runs on solar with battery storage and there is normally plenty, but if the batteries do get low a generator starts by itself and cuts out again once they are back up to 60%. It looks after itself, so there is nothing you need to do.
Is there a washing machine?
There is, in the downstairs bathroom, with a drying rack for the back deck. It is the one appliance that really draws on the batteries, so we ask you to run the shortest cycle you can and to do it during the day while the sun is on the panels. For a big load, the laundromat in Warkworth is the easier option.
What bedding and towels are provided?
Every bed is made up with fresh linen before you arrive, with ample pillows and extra blankets in the house if you want them, and we leave one fresh towel per guest. Two things worth packing: your own sheets or a sleeping bag if anyone is using the mattress under the bay window, which is the one bed we leave bare, and beach towels or spares if you are heading to Omaha or Pakiri.
Everything you need Amenities
Kitchen & dining
- Blender
- Coffee machine
- Cooking utensils
- Dishwasher
- Grill
- Kitchen stove
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Spices
- Toaster
- CookingEatingWaterCooler
- Water purifier
Entertainment
- Piano
- Stereo system
- TV (Satellite)
- WirelessBroadband Wireless Broadband Internet
Heating
- Fireplace
- Floor heating
- Heating available
Laundry & bathroom
- Bathroom & Laundry
- Iron & Board
- Washing machine
Facilities
- Vacuum cleaner
- Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Fire Extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Smoke Detector
Bathroom
- Bidet
- Hair dryer
- Essentials
- Shower
- Towel-set
- Hot Tub
- Washbasin
Sleeping
- Bed linen
- 2 King bed
- 2 Queen bed
- 1 Sofa bed
Parking
- Parking available
- Parking Included
More ways to stay
Explore our other retreats
African Safari Glamping
Our hugely popular safari tent on an elevated deck with 360° views – soak in the outdoor bath under the stars in complete privacy.
View details →
Airstream Retreat
Airstream glamping on a hill of its own: a fully refurbished American Airstream™, a cedar hot tub and sweeping valley views. A vintage caravan stay for up to three.
View details →Your stay
- 25% deposit at booking, balance due 10 days before arrival
- Free cancellation up to 10 days before arrival
Select your check-in and check-out dates to book.
2 night minimum
Loading availability…
Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM Booked Check-out only