Nature Retreat Close to the City

Close to the city but a million miles away - the best of both worlds! Fully self-contained two-bedroom self-catering apartment its own entrance and 1 x large off street car park - can fit a camper van Enjoy the natural outlook while being in close proximity to shops, public transport - 400m to a main bus route (25 minute bus to the CBD) or, $19 Uber to and from the City. Includes unlimited ultra fast Wi-Fi A great base to explore the Auckland region, visit family or attend events. The apartment has a kitchen with fridge/freezer, dual hot-plates, microwave and dishwasher (no oven). There are two large bedrooms, each with comfortable beds (1 with 1 x Queen and 1 with 2 x single beds. There is also a sofabed in the lounge which can sleep 2. Broadband internet is included and available via Wi-Fi. Outside is a covered deck with a couple of seats looking over our large backyard which backs on to a forest. It's not unusual to see and hear the local bird life. We have a large back yard backing on to forest and there's a 12' (4.2m) trampoline and swings as well as our pet chickens. Our road is a no-exit street so there's not a lot of traffic. Very close to the house is Fernglen Gardens and some nice forest walking tracks. It's walking distance to a nice cafe, 24hr convenience shop, Indian and Chinese takeout and a short drive to many shops, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. Bus stops are not far away. An off-street car park is available. Taxi fare is only around $NZ 25 to the city and Uber is even cheaper outside of peak times. The apartment is completely self-contained and guests have their own separate entrance. The only potentially shared area is the garden and back yard. Your hosts live upstairs so we are likely to be available should you need anything. The apartment has it's own entrance and is fully self-contained. You may see us outside in the garden or attending to the laundry. We can leave you to be by yourselves as much or as little as you like. Birkenhead Discover a story not just a destination. Birkenhead, on Auckland’s North Shore, boasts beautiful views, lush native bush, a buzzing dining scene and fascinating history. Top picks • Stretch your legs on the Original Sugar Workers Walk, taking in New Zealand’s only sugar factory. • Enjoy a coffee with a view at one of the many cafés in the town centre. •There are dozens of restaurants offering everything from tasty Asian dishes to modern New Zealand cuisine. Fact file • The Chelsea Sugar factory, nestled on the shore of the Waitemata Harbour, is New Zealand’s only sugar factory and was built in 1884. • Birkenhead has the largest area of native bush, birdlife and walks in the Upper Waitemata area. • The township is also situated at the highest point of the Upper Waitemata, 360 feet above sea level. Birkenhead is just a 10 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland or a short drive north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The village is home to the Chelsea Sugar Refinery (more commonly called the Chelsea Sugar factory), an iconic building and part of Auckland’s fascinating Victorian history. Built in 1884, it once employed nearly all of the village’s population. Birkenhead is home to other historical buildings, while the Birkenhead Library is a stunning modern piece of architecture – be sure to pop in to see the 180 degree views across Rangitoto Island and the Waitemata Harbour. Birkenhead village is blessed with sea views from every street and the serene native bush just minutes away is alive with birdsong. Take one of the local walks to experience historic treasures like the sugar factory and the original workers’ cottages. By day, wander through the bustling shops and relax with a great cup of coffee at one of the many cafés. By night the village sparkles with twinkling fairy lights lining the main street and the restaurants come alive. Birkenhead has a great selection of eateries to choose from, offering a wide range of ethnic and local cuisine. Bus stops are a short (uphill) walk away. An off-street car park is available upon request. Taxi fare is only around $NZ 25 to the city. Ferry's to the city are available also. To get the best price on public transport get an Auckland Transport HOP card (EMAIL HIDDEN) Kauri Road is a no-exit street so there's not a lot of traffic. Very close to the house is Fernglen Gardens and some nice forest treks. It's also not far (a short walk) to go to a nice cafe and 24hr convenience shop. Auckland has made it into Lonely Planet's 2014 top ten cities to visit. Come see why!