North of Opotiki on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand is one of the world’s most amazing road trips. It is Eastland –  coastal highways that hug it’s beautiful coastline, small villages, this is Maori country.  Aruhe is a B&B and holiday home at Whanarua Bay, just north of Te Kaha, the latest listing on the Women’s Accommodation Network.

In New Zealand Eastland is the road less travelled –  if you are on more than a 2 week tour of New Zealand – consider adding it your itinerary.

Owner Kim Baker shares her story of Aruhe

Aruhe is a dream re-started. My partner and I bought this beautiful property over twenty years ago. We built a home and a small cottage, which we planned to turn into a very stylish B & B. When the relationship fell apart and the property remained unsold after 7 years on the market, I made a huge leap of faith and bought the property. I had no idea that creating the business on my own would be so challenging.

In November 2016, I will be open to receive my first guests.

It’s very exciting and very scary too. I have done a lot of work on the property, on creating a website and on furnishing the cottage to allow my guests a really fantastic experience.

The property still needs lots of restoration work but the environment is very special. I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country that is rarely travelled by tourists-in-a-hurry.

State Highway 35 is a coastal drive past largely uninhabited beautiful bays, beaches, marae and papakainga, and offers visitors a unique view of New Zealand.

Aruhe, a self-contained cottage set on the very edge of Raukumara National Park, has an excellent view of the Pacific Ocean. Whanarua Bay, 10 minute walk away, rewards the visitor with pretty views, diving opportunities, beachcombing and swimming. If you have a kayak there are lots of safe little spots to paddle around.

The Cottage itself is sustainably built and offers all modern amenities from Wifi to coffee-making facilities.

If guests prefer to cater for themselves and bring all their own fresh ingredients there are basic pantry supplies. If that seems like too much trouble, then for an extra cost, you can dine with Kim, your host

Rosemary writes: Only in New Zealand – in a wonderful twist, I realised I know this property and the building gang I used to be part of built some of it, and I spent a lovely summer holiday with them – one of the memories was of the local seafood we enjoyed cooking over the fire.