If you’re looking for peace and quiet, stunning surroundings and a good dash of #housegoals inspiration, then the Bali Garden Villa is just the place for you. This gorgeous property is actually a reconstructed stable building, relocated from the owners’ family farm in Wanganui. Original features such as sliding stable doors and high sloped ceilings are blended expertly with modern luxuries such as a king-size bed, sumptuous linen and a deep bath with endless hot water. Subtle touches of Balinese decor give a chic feel without being over-the-top.
Situated a short drive from the small town of Matakana, the villa is tucked away on a horticultural estate, surrounded by lush gardens and towering hedges. As you approach the property, you’ll drive up an avenue lined with mandarin trees, and you’ll quickly feel as though you’ve been transported to the gardens of a colonial palace from a bygone era.
Once you’ve arrived, you can unwind from the stresses of the week with a cool drink or a glass of wine in the verdant garden at the back of the property. You’ll have the entire place to yourself, and the towering hedge between you and the rest of the world adds to the feeling of complete escapism. There’s a kitchen with everything you need to whip up a home-cooked meal if you choose (we packed our cool bag with a picnic of luxury cheeses, fresh bread and salads for an easy but delicious spread). Alternatively there are a number of local eateries including a local pizzeria with authentic-style outdoor oven baked pizzas just down the road.
Activities in Omaha and Matakana
Although the villa’s home-away-from-home feel is a perfect reason for doing absolutely nothing, there are plenty of activities in the local area for those wanting to get out and about. Matakana has a lively vibe, full of independent coffee shops and boutiques, and can get quite busy at the weekend with Aucklanders escaping the city. I highly recommend popping into the local farmers market on a Saturday morning to sample delicacies such as New Zealand oysters, fresh home baking and local fruit and veg – we visited in autumn and had some of the best mandarins I’ve ever tasted.
If you visit in summer there are plenty of endless white sandy beaches in the area, and surfers can head to nearby Tāwharanui for some lovely gentle beach breaks. Tāwharanui Regional Park is also home to some unique New Zealand bird life – we even spotted a rare takahē during our walk (top tip – visit at dusk when there are fewer people around).
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This place was awesome!