Stunningly beautiful place to stay with the most wonderful hosts. Our review is long overdue, but time has not diminished our memory of how fortunate we felt to stay at Cascade Creek. First, the cabin itself is absolutely beautiful (and the fact that Dave and Janene built it themselves makes it even more impressive) and so incredibly comfortable that you just don’t want to leave (we wish we could live there). We had rain for most of our 5 day stay which normally would be rather disappointing, but we had such a lovely and fun time in the cabin, we ended up being glad that it rained so much! Janene and Dave have made sure the cabin is stocked with everything to make your stay comfortable (the most well-stocked fridge and the most extensive and helpful guidebook of any place we’ve ever stayed). In addition to the amazing accommodations, Janene and Dave are two of the most gracious people you will ever meet. They are so thoughtful about making sure they don’t disturb your privacy, but on the other hand are incredibly helpful and generous with their time. Their farm is situated near so many great outdoor activities and they gave us great advice about different outings. They were so sweet and kind to our 9 year old daughter and she continues to talk about our stay at Cascade Creek as one of the best experiences of her life. We are already trying to figure out a way to go back!
B Paley, Feb. 2017
The icing on the cake… this is paradise! After making the decision to relocate from Australia to New Zealand earlier this year we needed a place that would make us wind down and relax after such an exhausting process of new jobs, new house and new friends. What a great find Cascade Creek Retreat is ! The attraction of an off grid log cabin with no phone, no internet and no TV but also with open fireplace and outdoor baths was too good to refuse….as well as only a short drive from Dunedin ! Booking with Janene and Dave was so easy and friendly…..could not be more helpful and our arrival to find the cabin fully provisioned was an absolute bonus for us (PS – the local Pinot Noir was a great drop !!). For two nights we thoroughly switched off and relaxed knowing our decision to move to NZ should have happened sooner ! The serenity, outdoor baths (under a starry night !!), big luxurious beds (and sheets & pillows & towels & gowns !!!), great BBQ, “endless” hot water, fresh air, awesome walking tracks….have we missed anything ?…….was absolutely incredible to say the least. This was truly the icing on the cake and will be a place that we know we can come back to when we truly want to escape. Thoroughly recommend Cascade Creek Retreat for those that want to get away from it all….but also do it in luxury
N. Harper, Oct. 2016
Incredible Luxury Retreat Run By Lovely People – What More Could You Want? My 10th wedding anniversary was coming up fast and I wanted to do something really special to celebrate with my wife, something that would truly blow her away. I got on to my friend Adam who is a travel agent and organises all my travel for me and asked him if he knew of anything that would fit the bill. Adam came back to me with Cascade Creak Retreat and I can’t tell you how pleased I am that he did. Cascade Creek was the perfect setting and experience for what I was looking for, in fact, it exceeded my expectation in every way. Right from the get go the experience was simple, straight forward, personal, and friendly. After I got the initial booking taken care of online, I got personal email confirmation assuring me that everything was done and that my booking was complete. Then in the lead up to my stay I got another email making sure I was comfortable with the directions, check in procedure and with the facilities that would be provided, not an automated email, but a personal email from Janene, who along with her Husband Dave owns the retreat. It was personal touches like this that really highlighted for me that we were in for something special. When my wife and I got to the retreat we were stunned. It is set in the most beautiful surroundings imaginable. Set on the side of a hill overlooking a gully and surrounded by a combination of farmland and native forrest, it is truly a haven of peace and tranquility. The accomodation itself is a hand crafter wood cabin, rustic but finished to a high spec, with all the creature comforts that I could have asked for. The stay is essentially self catered so everything you need in terms of cooking facilities were provided, gas stove top and oven, microwave, and BBQ for cooking, coffee machine, all cutlery plates etc. We never once thought ‘boy we wish we had…” or “I wish they had thought to put one of those here’. We simply had everything we needed provided for us. Although the retreat is self catered there are a number of options available for food to be supplied for you to cook, or even for your own personal chef to come to you and cook for you in the retreat. We took advantage of the ‘Dinner In’ experience on the Saturday night of our stay. Our chef, Kelly, arrived at the time I had stipulated and set about her work. She was great, relaxed, friendly and yet efficient. She made a great meal into a wonderful overall experience. Oh, and the food was excellent! Some highlights of the stay for us included enjoying the walks that lead from the retreat through native bush to a beautiful waterfall, or through rolling farmlands and stunning scenery. We even went down to the waterfall at night to be serenaded by the twinkling lights of glow worms. Along side the strong emphasis on the ‘personal touch’ Cascade Retreat has a caring eco friendly ethos. The retreat itself is powered by a combination of solar and hydro power. Now, that night make some nervous “will there be enough electricity?” “will there be power outages because we have used all the power?” “will we need to be super sensitive in our power usage?”. The answer to these questions from my experience is a resounding no. We used lights, plug in power, fans etc, and there were electric blankets and heaters provided and we never got the sense that we were pushing our luck. What’s more, while the power comes from solar and hydro generation, the water is gas heated which means that there is an (almost) unlimited supply of hot water, which you will need for the two full sized out door baths… did I not mention those yet? My wife and I spent a good deal of time in these baths, sitting outside night and day, in the sun, rain, and under the stars… bliss! Look, I could bleat on forever about how great this experience was and how well looked after we were by Janene and Dave but we would all be here forever, so let me finish here with a simple encouragement. If you are looking for something special, a romantic get away or time to relax with friends and loved ones, book Cascade Creek, it’s a great place run by lovely people, and not only will you not regret it, but you will find yourself sitting on review websites waxing lyrical about how great the stay was, not simply because it’s true, but because you will want other people to experience this amazing place and the lovely folk who own it. Treat yourself.
K and J Bate 25th March 2016
Nailed it! The cabin had everything we were hoping for. No disappointments here. We never planned to stay in this area of NZ during our holiday but when I came across this cabin on the internet we had to change our plans to fit it in. So pleased we did! Gorgeous setting, roaring fire, tranquil birdsong, stunning deck and perfect place to unplug from electronics and reconnect as a family. We stayed with our kids 10 and 12 plus my elderly parents. My husband and I slept in the pull down bed by the fire and it was so comfortable. I’ve rarely seen the kids play together so happily for so long. When we get home we should cancel our Wifi!!! ???? Would recommend this place to anyone, a highlight of our 2 weeks in beautiful NZ.
D and A Spurgeon, March 2016
Heaven on Earth. Words really can’t describe how fabulous Cascade Creek is…you really have to experience the tranquillity and beauty yourself…if you are after somewhere to indulge yourself and reconnect with nature or your partner then this is the place to go… gorgeous outdoor baths with only the bellbirds, tuis and kereru for company…perfect for a romantic getaway, no wifi or tv…perfect! Janene and Dave have done a wonderful job of ensuring anything that you may need has been well catered for …right down to day packs and water bottles…there are a couple of lovely walks over the farm land and thru the native bush if you feel too guilty laying around reading in the hammock or on the lovely deck…this truly is heaven on earth.
S and T Mulholland, 31st December 2016
Awesome wedding Anniversary. Location was everything we dreamed of, totally private with everything you need for a memorable stay. The log fire, hammock and outdoor btahs are just the best, the outdoor laundry is very cool too. Have already recommended to friends and family.
M And G Hansen, 17th November 2015
Thank you for the most perfect getaway. We were completely blown away by the cabin as soon as we got out of the car and approached it- such a feeling of awe. Amazing spot, loved the sheep. Loved the fire, having a hot bath under the stars, an adventurous walk and all of the amenities provided were completely amazing. Absolute highlight of our NZ trip – we will be back one day!
Dina and Jake 28th September 2015
“Loved the outside baths, soaking in the rain under umbrellas! Very romantic…”
Darren and Rosina 17th September 2015
This is an incredible place to stay. The feedback is 100% justified. JUST. WOW. We will be back again, and again. Thank you for having us here! Our time here was very special: The walks are picture perfect, and the log cabin is what we’ve dreamed of for many years, thanks!
Kristian and Erin 7th August 2015
Perfect location for our honeymoon! The cabin is gorgeous and the property is amazing. Champagne and bubble- baths outdoors under the stars is an experience we wont forget. Thanks so much!
Tom and Caitlyn 1st July 2015
Beautiful house, amazing scenery! Thank you for allowing us to have the perfect evening. As a young girl you dream of your engagement and there could not be a more perfect setting than this! Will visit again, thank you!
Laura and Brad 12 June 2015
The only bad thing about our stay was that is had to end. Everything was perfect.
The Hayley and Miller Families 22nd February 2015
This accommodation is far beyond our dreams. It will be top in our memory ofour time in NZ. Many thanks Dave and Janene for having shared this.
Christine and Michel 17th February 2015
What an amazing place to see the New Year in! We loved the tranquility, the birdsong, the baths, the fire, the walks were great and worth the effort! We loved everything about this slice of paradise and hope to be back soon! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous cabin in the woods- just magic!
Tanz and Sean January 2015
One of the most beautiful places we have ever stayed in! We will be back.
Annabelle and Stephen 15 November 2014
Lovely Lovely Lovely! Superb building, magical views. The perfect family experience. The outdoor baths are so special. The luxury touches are the icing on the cake. So glad we had the chance to experience this special place.
The Durie Family September 2014
This place is beyond expectations! The outdoor baths, the fire, the environment. the food and the quality of everything is just amazing. Really have created the slice of paradise. Perfect place for our 1st Anniversary. Definitely will be back!
Mickey and Regan 21 September 2014
A little taste of luxury in a little slice of paradise. Staying 3 nights in the lovely cabin truly is the high light of our travel to NZ. The moment I stepped on the deck of the cabin I felt like everything I saw from the picture before I made the reservation became real and what’s even better is I could finally experience the idea of “home away from home”. its definitely hands down the best place I have ever stayed.
What we never expected is the owner came by with a plate of home made cookie to see if we were comfortable and warm as it snowed in the morning. I am saying could you guys be any more thoughtful for your guests?
I’d love to come back to the lovely cabin one day. The only thing I am hoping is it can be longer than 3 nights. Thank you Janene and Dave you really made our travel wonderful.
Michael Wang 2nd October 2014
This place is beyond expectations! The outdoor baths, the fire, the environment, the food and the quality of everything is just amazing. You really have created a slice of paradise! Perfect for our first anniversary… we will definitely be back!
Regan McLay 21st September 2014
The solitude and tranquility were unbeatable. A wonderfully secluded place to get away from everything for a while. The facilities were impeccable, and the special touches around the cabin were gorgeous – especially the home-knitted slippers. The birdsong was absolutely beautiful. The starlit outdoor bath topped it off! We honestly didn’t want to leave!
L & R Mills 14th September 2014
My favourite place on earth. The resort is an incredible combination of luxury and wilderness. It’s one of the most remote places I have ever stayed but the hosts are immeasurably great at thinking of your every need. The detail and love put into this place is quite incredible. You can feel it when you stay here and that alone makes the stay memorable. It truly is my favourite place.
Sofia Crosley 5th September 2014.
Thanks for sharing this awesome hideaway! This is the epitome of cosiness and beautiful natural surroundings. All the thoughtful touches made for a very special birthday experience. Congratulations on creating such a destination!!
Mark – 18th May 2014
We are honoured to have stayed at your dream house.Your story of your dream to build this house has inspired us that dreams absolutely can come true! Thank you for your kindness, your hospitality and your patience. We appreciate your perseverance, hard work and passion and making it happen. This has been a memorable experience and we are going home with a thought of ‘ what are our dreams’ All the best.
Kaman Ho 27th April 2014
An absolute highlight of our trip.Words can’t describe how magic it was to arrive here and i wouldn’t want to spoil the experience by describing it. It feels remote, cosy, magical, romantic and luxurious. Of all the places we stayed in NZ this is the place that stands out. If you take some time out and spend it here you will not be disappointed, it is the ultimate chill out with plenty of native bush to trek about in, and one of the best views from any bath tub! This review is very late and we must apologise to the owners for this, although the fact that we rave about this place 8 months later says it all really.
Ben and Laura Jones – stayed 26th/27th June 2013, posted review Feb. 2014
We felt like the only people in the world. Cascade Creek is the perfect retreat if you are looking for some R&R; and real quality time together. The air is clean, it’s blissfully quiet and the property is immaculate. We loved soaking in the outdoor bath and watching the birds fly by. We relished in the unspoilt walks and enjoyed feeling like we had just discovered the path behind the bath. Though maintained it still has a raw, slightly off-piste feel as you step over tree roots and moss. To me this is the perfect place to come back to with children but wouldn’t suit those who are addicted to constant electronic entertainment, this is a place for playing board games together (provided), exploring nature and indulging in your imagination. Dunedin is 45mins to an hour by car but really you won’t to leave once you get here.
Sarah-Jane Sherwood – 5th February 2014
Amazing! Such a special hideaway in the middle of the bush.
We spent our honeymoon here and it was just the best decision we could’ve made. Baths under the stars, bubbles on the deck, nothing but the birds chirping and the trees rustling. Beautiful. There’s no cellphone reception, but being forced to abandon my cellphone was a challenge I didn’t realise I’d love as much as I did – I didn’t want to turn it back on once we left! Also – this is a great place for someone in a wheelchair. The shower is a wet area one, and they can supply a shower chair on request. There are no hand-rails by the toilet but they also supply a commode chair if you need one. There are ramps all over the house and, apart from the bedroom upstairs, the whole place is really accessible. I also highly recommend getting the ‘Dinner in’ option – the woman who takes care of this, Kelly, is an absolute superstar and cooks better food than many restaurants I’ve been to. Definitely worth the extra splash! Will definitely return to Cascade Retreat one day, but in the mean time, do yourself a favour and check it out!
Red and Helen Nicholson – 24 January 2014
AMAZING!!! We felt so lucky to be able to spend 3 nights in such a special spot. The location was fantastic to get away to, it offered a place to really relax while also offering those who are more active relaxers to get out there and enjoy being outdoors. It offered everything we needed. The accommodation and what was provided there was thought out in great detail. Expectations more than exceeded. We will look forward to returning.
Anna Wong-4 January 2014
A very special spot. I chose Cascade Creek Retreat as a place to stay with friends for New Year’s Eve. We wanted a place where we could relax in nature, cook a nice meal to enjoy together around a dinner table and perhaps make a little noise at midnight. This place worked out perfectly! We were two couples, so one couple took the bedroom and the other the bed on the loft level. I was originally concerned about privacy, but needn’t have been. Everyone felt like their had their own space. My favourite features of the cabin would be the large sunny deck overlooking native bush, with large comfy chairs, and the beautiful open fireplace inside. There were some very thoughtful touches to our stay – firstly the homemade cupcakes and personalised note left for you, and there was even a bag of marshmallows to enjoy toasting over the open fire. I would absolutely recommend this place as working well for 2 sets of couples, but I can also picture it as perfect for a romantic stay. For a couple in winter, it would be lovely to use the Queen wall bed in the living area and sleep close to the open fire.
Lisa Schollum – 31st December 2013
Tranquil Oasis. A beautiful setting, gorgeous accommodation and superb customer relations. Thanks for a lovely honeymoon!
Niall Curran-10 October 2013
Secluded luxury in the heart of a New Zealand sheep farm.What a wonderful night we had at this completely secluded and beautiful cabin near a bush-filled gully on a 4000acre sheep farm. Our little children were charmed by the cabin, birdsong and outside bath. They slept soundly to the sound of the crackling log fire. A beautiful spot for my husband and I to unwind once they were asleep – wine, board games, leather couches and a beautifully appointed king bed upstairs. Love the luxury furnishings and little touches of hospitality. We were charmed by all the little lambs skipping around as we drove in and out through the farm! Highly recommended.
K.Hogan- 1st October 2013
A memorable stay for a special occasion. Cascade Creek Retreat was simply magnificent. A stunning place that enhanced our special day and made our memorable day one that we will never forget. Cascade had everything we needed for our weekend stay, the only bad bit about Cascade Creek was when it was time to go, we just didn’t want to leave.
We highly recommend going with the dinner in option for a special occasion. Our Chef, Kelly cooked one amazing meal and an absolutely scrumptious dessert.
Matt and Angela-21 September 2013
Best accommodation experience we have ever had. The Retreat is great. A great place to stop and think and refocus. All the wee details are great. True luxury.
Sandy – 23 September 2013
Stop looking. You’ve found it. Staying in this beautiful log cabin for 3 nights was the highlight of our 12 day NZ adventure. From the moment I first enquired, the service provided was amazing. Janene was incredibly helpful and welcoming at every turn. When our stay finally arrived, my partner and I were extremely excited. We were a little nervous that perhaps we’d set our expectations unreasonably high, but we needn’t have worried – It was everything we’d hope for and more! We had ordered the Welcome Basket and were delighted to be greeted by an array of delicious treats – including fresh fruit and chocolate dipping sauce (yum!). We’d made the mistake of going shopping before heading to the cabin, because much of what we’d bought was already provided (milk, bread, cooking oil etc). The gorgeous stone fire place was set up, ready to be lit. Much of our time over the following 3 nights was spent sitting by the fire, sipping wine and eating cheese. The outdoor bathtub was a fantastic touch too – It was lovely to sink beneath the bubbles with a drink, take in the scenery and feel the cool crisp wind. We made good use of the board games and stereo provided, and between the impressive BBQ and the kitchenette we were also able to prepare some delicious meals. The bed was very comfortable (electric blankets were a great addition) as were the bathrobes provided (we wore them incessantly). We found a book on the dining table which documented the construction of Cascade, and reading this gave us an even greater appreciation for what Janene and Dave have created. We wish them every success. We’ll definitely be back!
Rebecca and Nathan-27 August 2013
Luxury, relaxing getaway! What a magic location! The cabin is beautiful and has everything you need for a relaxing break away from it all. It is so quiet and peaceful yet you are within close distance to exploring the beautiful area of the Catlin’s. The Host’s have thought of everything including leaving a packet of marshmallows to toast on an open fire and also a birthday cake was left for us as it was my husbands birthday. Cant wait to go back!
Lisa and Aaron – August 31st 2013
Blissful two days of peace and quiet. We loved staying here! It was really something different. Thought we’d be a bit apprehensive about no TV, internet etc, but we really enjoyed the peace and quiet. The cabin was very luxurious, we loved the stone fireplace (we want one in our next house!) comfortable beds and especially the outside bath – magic!. Janene really went to great lengths to ensure our comfort. The little touches were very thoughtful too. Be sure to stay here – you will never want to leave!
Meredith and Craig – 31 July 2013
An amazing experience. My friends and I had the most wonderful weekend for my 50th birthday celebrations. We enjoyed the attention to detail and hospitality given by Janene and Dave. The secluded & relaxing location, 5-star log cabin, outside bath, hammock, native bush & birds, and the unique experience is something that we will treasure for the next fifty years! I am so looking forward to returning to the Retreat!
Moira Young 26 Jul 2013
Amazing Gorgeous Retreat! We loved this cabin! It’s so cute and romantic ( but would equally be quite cool to stay at with family or friends). It is just a gorgeous building, with so many thoughtful touches, it has a great style and a fantastic view out into the bush. It is so private and a complete break from technology and stress. We were very touched to receive a personalised letter and a yummy chocolate cake to help us celebrate our wedding anniversary, as well as marshmallows to roast over the open fire. The outdoors bath was awesome, with birds flying overhead. I just spent the whole time smiling.
Mike and Jody-May 18, 2013
Wow! Luxury and seclusion. Cascade Creek is a handcrafted log cabin set amongst native New Zealand bush, birdsong is aplenty and walking trails litter the hillside. We are from Dunedin and would recommend this to anyone looking for a short break. A must for any couples or honeymooners passing through. Expect all of your everyday comforts, just don’t forget something nice to eat & drink! Key features for me included the large open fire, and the outdoor bath with running hot water – boom!
Josh Jenkins – 10 May 2013
