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Tawhiri Cottage, Waiouru

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Exterior
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
Dining

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View in a map
Waiouru, Waiouru
  • Place, National Army Museum Te Mata Toa
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Mount Ruapehu
  • Place, Tongariro National Park
    ‪19 min drive‬

Room options

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Tawhiri Cottage, Waiouru

Tawhiri is a warm, private and fully-equipped three-bedroom cottage. The beds are good, the hot water is endless, and the WiFi is free.
The property is surrounded by a large area of lawn and there are extensive decks on the North and East sides of the house - all of which you are welcome to use. Plenty of angles from which to enjoy our unsurpassed view of Mount Ruapehu.
Waiouru is the southern gateway to both the Desert Road (SH1) and the Adventure Highway (SH49). It's an ideal base from which to discover all that the Central Plateau has to offer. See the other side of the mountain: ski Tukino as well as Turoa and Whakapapa; explore the Rangipo Desert, Te Onetapu and Ngauruhoe - for LOTR fans, that's Mordor and Mt Doom. Walk the trails and visit the nature reserves that most visitors never see. The world-famous Tongariro Crossing is an easy drive away, but there are many other hiking and tramping tracks, huts, nature reserves and other places of interest. Other opportunities include, climbing, fishing, hunting, and mountain-biking. As well the world-famous Tongariro National Park, access to the Kaimanawa Forest Park is a short drive away. Waiouru is well-known for its Army connections. From 1940 onward, generations of our soldiers have done their training and their balloted national service here. We are particularly happy to host them and their families for reunions or graduations - or simply to revisit and remember days gone by. For those interested in learning about our country's military history, the National Army Museum, with its library and archives, is just around the corner. The National Army Marae and the more recent Garden of Reflection are also close. Golfers, here's your chance to play a round at the highest 18-hole golf course in New Zealand - just minutes away.
Extras: Linen (included); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean the house and do the dishes before you leave;
During your stay at this cottage, you're just a quick walk from National Army Museum Te Mata Toa. Laundry facilities are available. The cottage includes amenities such as free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • The cottage offers a kitchen, a washing machine, and a fireplace
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • 16.8 mi (27 km) from Tongariro National Park and 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from National Army Museum Te Mata Toa
This cottage offers its guests laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Waiouru cottage is smoke free.

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains

Things to do

  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Swimming nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Composting
  • Recycling

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Cottage
Tawhiri Cottage Waiouru
Tawhiri Cottage, Waiouru Cottage
Tawhiri Cottage, Waiouru Waiouru
Tawhiri Cottage, Waiouru Cottage Waiouru

Tawhiri Cottage, Waiouru Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jane M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very hospitable and pleasant stay...clean, tidy and a great view if the mountain.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christy K.

Liked: Cleanliness
The house is really tidy clean and cozy, the view is amazing! Highly recommended to spend your time there.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brett P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent access, v.clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gabriele A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very warm welcome and great instruction, we will be back next year
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol A.

Liked: Cleanliness
A lovely cozy cottage with spectacular views. The cottage has everything you need for a short or long stay. The kitchen is cook semi-chef level. Heaps to do in the area. Our highlights were hikes to see Falls and Gollum's Cave.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

peter n.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family weekend re Army Graduation

Overall very good
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Dorothy D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Clean house.

Clean house tho we couldn't us fire the heat pump did the job nice and warm. close to centre of Waiouru.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tim R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cosy and comfortable

Easy to find, warm and comfortable. Ross lives next door, so was on site to welcome us when we arrived in the late evening.Thanks for a lovely stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda J.

Liked: Cleanliness

A great spot!

We really enjoyed our stay here! The house is very comfortable and full of lovely touches. The views were fabulous as well. We will be back again!! Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shar C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic!

Loved this place. Comfy beds. Loads of space indoors and outdoors. Amazing mountain view! Will definitely return. Thank you Ross. Great communications. Responsive and a delightful man. Recommended especially for families.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shing Kow L.

Liked: Cleanliness

I will introduce to friends

Good place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Murray Gordon W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent

This was central to all our activities wonderful place, would come again sometime
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed our stay and will be back
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great family friendly accommodation

Spacious holiday house close to the ski fields. Beautiful views and very comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Damanjeet B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing Experience

Really good arrangements and location of the property is pretty amazing. Ross is very courteous and welcoming. Would love to come back and stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justine T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Mid Island Stopover

We chose Tawhiri cottage as a great stopping point on our way to Wellington from Tauranga. From the very beginning the communication from our host, Ross, was outstanding and he was so friendly and welcoming. The accomodation itself was clean and the kitchen was extremely well equipped with everything we needed. Best of all though, was the breathtaking uninterrupted view of Mt Ruapehu from the lounge and back deck!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brigit C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic place to stay!

We all really enjoyed our stay in a lovely house with beautiful views of the mountains. There was lots of room for us all, plenty of hot water, and the beds were very comfy. Thanks Ross! See you next time
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent stay with nice view.

Excellent stay & nice view.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Property

Really enjoyed our stay! it suited us well, plenty of room for parking, nice clean house. Communication was great and very flexible with our requests! Looking forward to staying again
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Preetika P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing

Thank you Ross. Amazing place to stay. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joana Marie R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely House

Ross was very helpful and was so responsive to all of our messages (both prior to and during our stay) providing us with helpful information for our arrival, checkin and stay. The flat has lots of brochures as well to find cool nearby events. The beds were very comfortable; and the place was clean. Highly recommended property and keen to pursue further bookings!! Five star rating!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marilou C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely warm and tidy house to stay

Warm and tidy. Enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anne W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Overnight stay

Just stayed for one night on way to Wellington, accommodation was very comfortable and perfect location. Heat pump made the whole place nice and warm and the view of the mountain was awesome!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Janice F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Convenient and close

If you’re staying in Waiouru it’s probably something to do with the Army base or Museum and this place is really convenient and close. Great view of Mt Ruapehu. Everything was fine, warm enough in late Summer with the heat pump. Ample off street parking. Main trunk line and SH46 are quite close by but not noisy enough to be an issue.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachael D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Stay

We had a great stay, really clean and tidy, property has all that is needed. Thanks so much for the hospitality, it was fantastic!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023