Great family bach right in the heart of the Bay of Islands. Has all the facilities you need, close to the beach and Russell township, 50-60 minutes drive to Kerikeri via Okiato Ferry or alternatively you can get the passenger ferry to Paihia. There is fishing and boating right on your doorstep with charters all year round, or you have the option of bringing your own boat. There is a boat ramp down in Russell township, along with great cafes and restaurants. Trips out to the islands are daily and can be booked in town. This is our family bach and has been for many years, so please enjoy it and look after it.
NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition please leave the house as you found it and please do not leave dishwasher on and pump off when you depart as dishwasher requires pump to be on. Washing of linens is done by owner - please just strip beds of sheets and pillow cases only that have been used and leave in bathroom with used towels and flannels. Wifi is NOT provided. Please do not leave refuse/recycling - this is to be disposed of before departure by guests.
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Guests are to remove/dispose of all refuse/recycling prior to departure - refer Far North District Council website for Russell refuse hours
House is to be left as found except laundry is done by owner.
Please do not remove duvet covers unless soiled.
Please lock all doors and windows, ensure water pump and hot water is turned off unless otherwise advised by owner.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number 20031010ha
Property # 20031010
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Russell
Located in Russell, this holiday home is in the city centre and near the beach. Bay of Islands Marina and Paihia Wharf are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Makana Chocolate Boutique and Action World. Bay Of Islands Vintage Railway and The Parrot Place are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving, surfing/body boarding and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails.
Is 'LA CASITA' in the beautiful Bay of Islands pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at 'LA CASITA' in the beautiful Bay of Islands?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 'LA CASITA' in the beautiful Bay of Islands on 18 May 2026 start from AU$221, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at 'LA CASITA' in the beautiful Bay of Islands?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at 'LA CASITA' in the beautiful Bay of Islands?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at 'LA CASITA' in the beautiful Bay of Islands?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is 'LA CASITA' in the beautiful Bay of Islands located?
Located in the heart of Russell, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Tapeka Point and Bay of Islands. Long Beach and Russell Beach are also within 15 minutes.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a fantastic stay, everything was amazing. It was really appreciated that the property manager/owner came in early in the day to open windows and cool the house down
Comfortable,clean home in central location. 2 decks added bonus for windy days ,always an outdoor space with plenty of shelter. Well stocked with everything you need. Host was very responsive and accommodating .
The bach is in a perfect location just a short walk to the beach, beautiful views, and has a full kitchen if you want to do some cooking. We were very happy with our stay
We had a great stay in Russell. The location was absolutely stunning, the house itself was clean and everything functioned well.Communcation was quick and easy.
We had a lovely stay in Russell. This house was perfectly located- between the beach and the town with lovely views in all directions. Decks on both sides with outdoor eating options. We were very happy.
Had a really amazing time over the NYS period, house was clean and well equipped for groups. Amazing view out to the island as well as down to Russell/Paihia.
Aiden P.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jan 2024
Thanks for leaving tidy, would be happy for you to return.
Quirky, comfortable, spacious bach with beautiful sea views from decks front and back. Surrounded by lovely trees, the garden is beautiful, full of flowering hibiscus and with a resident weka. A weka!
We loved the place, and the hosts were great to deal with during the booking process.
Jonathan K.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jan 2023
Great people to deal with and left our home nice and tidy. Would welcome back anytime.
This classic Kiwi home/bach offered the perfect blend of relaxation and convenience. The view was lovely, and the location couldn't be better – just a short stroll to both the beach and town. Ample parking made coming and going a breeze. Inside, we found everything we needed and more, including a well-equipped kitchen for cooking up family meals and a great selection of games for some old-fashioned fun. It was the ideal spot for a traditional Kiwi holiday.
Kylie B.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Feb 2025
Thanks for your kind words and also for leaving the house tidy. You are very welcome back any time.
This bach was very homey, and a classic kiwi bach. Perfect location for walking to Long beach with a nice view looking out towards Long Beach, and the opposite towards Russell/Paihia. Bach was nice and clean, good outdoor area. Overall, ideal stay with friends or family.
Sara G.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Dec 2022
Thanks Sara for the kind comments leaving our home tidy. Glad you enjoyed your stay and wish you a Merry Christmas.
Great views. Bbq table front and back so always somewhere in sun to sit. Airy and spacious. Would definitely book again. Short walk to Long Beach or Russell waterfront. Relaxing.
We had a wonderful time in Russell. Stayed 3 nights. Great views, clean and close to the beach. Weather was aboslutely gorgeous for a family gathering weekend. The flow of 2 bedrooms thru the bathroom to get to the lounge, a little inconvenient but that's part of being in a batch. We loved it.Gaware
We loved our stay in Russel. The view is amazing. The area was quiet and the beds were comfortable. However, there is no WiFi and there is limited WiFi in Russell businesses. Moreover the house could benefit from basic maintenance to replace burned out light bulbs and inoperative electrical outlets. You will need to bring your own hair dryer as one is not provided. The availability of a washer and dryer was a big plus.
Carol D.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar 2020
Thanks for your review and letting us know about the lamps and plugs. We will get these seen to shortly. Am sorry we don't provide wifi but just not worth it for the short summer rental season to get it set up. Will also look at getting a hair dryer.
Verified
8/10 Good
CHRIS S.
23 Jan 2020
Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Great location
This was a nice property that was a little dated and had an odd layout. Location was great but it is hard to get a bad location in Russell.
Do note a few things though. 1) there is no wireless here which had become quite important. VRBO posting was accurate but we missed that. 2) you will need to take your garbage to the dump for a fee which was not noted.
CHRIS S.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar 2020
House was left very tidy except for the refuse and recycling and a coin. It was clearly noted in VRBO and House Details sheet I emailed prior to arrival, that it was guests responsibility to dispose of all refuse and detailed refuse station website to check hours of operation, costs and location. Guest was not willing to contribute further to cover costs of cleaner removing and disposing of their refuse. Wifi is clearly not an inclusion and there is a map showing layout of rooms.
Nice, unrenovated cottage with ocean views. Great fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, drier, shower, 2 toilets. Comfortable beds. No wifi (glad). TV and aircon (we did not use it). Weird layout but plenty of space. I believe the window next to front door needs a latch. Most flyscreens are functional. Both decks are great (be careful of the front outside picnic table). Back door lock ineffective so use the plank of wood supplied. Our family of 5 had 9 great days here. Not cheap but very happy if rent can fund improvements.
Conrad P.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Jan 2024
Thanks for your comments. Layout is a little different as end main bedroom above garage was my grandfathers workshop many years ago, which my grandmother changed to a bedroom later on but kept middle room as bedroom, and didn't re-design with passageway.
Will check the picnic table - thanks for pointing out, and as mentioned back door is locked using piece of timber laid in track, but will look at installing bolt lock on this as alternative.
Will also check window near front door as cleaner did mention it had been broken.
Glad you enjoyed your stay in our familys bach.
Simple bach with wonderful views to Long Beach and down to Russell. Great place to stay with the fam. You access two of the bedrooms through the bathroom so keep that in mind. It didn’t bother us!
Bach is very comfortable and well-equipped. Loved all the insect screens and the resident weka! Great views, 5 min walk to stunning safe swimming beach and Russell township. Owners very responsive to queries. Access to two bedrooms is through the bathroom/ toilet and to get to the third bedroom you have to walk through the bathroom and the second bedroom. This didn't bother us but does mean you need to be relaxed about privacy. 100% would stay again.
Liz W.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2021
About the host
Hosted by TaniaFo1
What makes this property unique
Handy to fishing and boating grounds
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests