KohuKohu is on the North side of the Hokianga Harbour. It is a wonderful off the beaten track place to stay. A regular car ferry connects Kohukohu to Rawene on the other side of the harbour.
Phil and Pauline Evans and their extended family have made their home on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour since 1981. They did not intend to start a backpackers, but being 2 kms past the Kohukohu Ferry landing, they used to have people who missed the last ferry knock on the door and ask for a bed. The first year they had 300 people sleeping on the floor for free, so a backpackers seemed a good idea.
They extended their home to include hostel facilities and built small cabins and opened in 1989. The Tree House was named for some enormous Cottonwood Poplar trees which were beside the house. Sadly they have been cut down as they became dangerous, so they are awaiting someone who wants them for the timber. Luckily all the other trees on the property have grown prolificly to take their place. There is a half hour bush walk which is well worth doing, and at night you can see glow worms beside creek.
We stayed in a small cottage by the pond – simple and wonderful, like sleeping in the bush.
The Treehouse still rates as one of the best backpackers in NZ – because of its trees and because it is so ‘natural’. You can can wifi, but otherwise, it is simple living at its best.
Listen to the birds, watch the ducks, see the trees grow.
Kohukohu Village Arts
An excellent gallery of local artists- and great coffee and food right next door – do stop off when you pass through.
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