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44kms (1 hours drive) from Collingwood, at the end of the road, remote and very private, wild yet beautiful is a 1000 acre farm. Te Hapu, meaning "tribe" and "family") is sandwiched between the Tasman sea and Kahurangi National Park. Sandra and Ken Closs have a Chalet, Cottage and Shearing Shed Retreat all available for rental. What made you chose Te Hapu? I fell in love with Te Hapu on my first visit. It reminds me of the Cornish coast where I spent a lot of my childhood and where some of my heart remains. I came to see Ken who was shearing here, he walked through the woolshed door and got a strong sence that we would end up here. One year later Te Hapu came on the market. We excitedly went to see the Rural Bank who didn't take us seriously and showed us the door! Another year went by and Te Hapu was still on the market. We did our figures properly, Ken borrowed a suit from our neighbours and we went again to the Rural Bank who listened to us, we pulled all the strings we could and managed it. In 1980 Te Hapu became home!
Fishing and diving At Te Hapu you can dive for crayfish in the reefs. Paua can usually be found on big low tides. Have a go at surf casting from the beaches for kahawai and brim or throw a net amongst the rocks for butterfish, moki. There are plenty of good reefs for snorkeling and exploring the surface below. |
Family... Our children are all passionate about Te Hapu, particularly our 27 year old daughter who has lived in London for the last 9 years. She comes home most summers to relax and replenish her soul. Our two boys are 24 and 22. They have planted hundreds of timber trees in woodlots and return repeatedly from Aussie and Christchurch to prune and tend their trees and soak up home comforts, fresh organic vegetables from the garden, free range eggs, home killed mutton, beef and chicken. Much time is spent sitting on the veranda overlooking the ocean watching the waves roll in.
Who visits Te Hapu? Our chalet is ideally suited for the romantic. Family groups often book all We have three main walks from 2-6 hours long (maps and route descriptions provided) incorporating bluff tops with panoramic views of the Westhaven inlet, Mangarakau Wetland Reserve, virgin and regenerating bush, the farm and the wild west coast with diversions to beaches, caves, cosy coves and blowholes. There are also coastal walks some tide dependent and plenty of low tide rock pools for children to explore.
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Best time of year to holiday? Te Hapu is available all year. Our winter season is very mild. It is ideal for walks and exploring, picnics, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, fishing and shellfish gathering, mountain biking, rock climbing, caving. Lots of native bird song (magpie free!). Can be stimulating climatically! Farm animals including free range chooks, ducks, geese, and turkeys.
What do holidaymakers like about Te Hapu? Visitors who like isolation and privacy, well away from the crowds, walking and exploring will love it here. It is hard to resist the panoramic sea views from the bluff tops, the sweeping sandy beaches and secret sheltered coves and a farmland dotted with Nikau palms. One could never tire of the ever fascinating rock formations with caves, blow holes, reefs and rock pools. Warm, clean, homely cottages, with fresh flowers on arrival, big baths (one has an outdoor claw foot bath), sunny decks for evening drinks. Gas BBQs. Local history and other books and games for indoor days by the fire. Watch the surf rolling in and sun sink into the ever changing Tasman sea from one of five strategically placed seats. "Wish we had more time to spend at Te Hapu, it's magical. We'll be back." And people do return many times! If you would like to book this bach or find out more, you can view the listings for The Cottage, The Chalet, and The Shearing Shed Retreat.
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