Stay in the heart of Hokitika, just a minute from the beach and river, five minutes away from shops, restaurants, and bars. This charming little cottage is full of character and old-world charm. Although it may not be modern or luxurious, it is certainly unique and interesting. This is an ideal choice for those seeking a change from traditional hotels and enjoy retro and vintage aesthetics. Come experience the cuteness and crookedness, of this Kiwi bach - your West Coast home away from home. LOCATION: 1 min walk to the stunning beach. 2mins to the river and Sunset Point. 5mins to all bars, museum, theater, restaurants and shops. The perfect spot to holiday beside the beach and still be right in the heart of town.
LOCATION: The prime location! This location is central to everything you need! It's only a 1-minute walk to the beautiful beach, 2 minutes to the river and Sunset Point, and 5 minutes to bars, museums, theaters, restaurants, and shops. Enjoy your holiday right in the heart of town by the beach.
PLEASE NOTE that this is not a modern, recently built house. Keep in mind that if you are not a fan of the unique character and charm of old homes, this may not be the place for you. However, if you're searching for a traditional Kiwi cottage near the beach where you can take leisurely strolls and admire beautiful sunsets, then this may be the perfect fit for you.
RETRO STYLE: This house is quirky, interesting and fun! We offer a chance for guests to stay somewhere a little different, experience some West Coast history and chill out by the sea with a glass of wine and some great local food. Our home is over 100 years old and, though greatly cared for, shows its age in some places. Expect to find some loving wear, quaint aging and charming patina both inside and outside.
BEFORE YOU BOOK: Make sure you note our house rules and read the full description. Let us know which beds you require.
NOTE: The house can sleep 8 comfortably, there is only 1 bathroom.
PARKING: Free parking on the street or in the back yard.
LOUNGE: The cosy lounge/dinning area is small but functional with a woodburner for heating in winter.
KITCHEN: original, small galley kitchen, fully equipped. Sometimes guests leave behind cooking supplies. Please help yourself to anything left in the cupboard if you need it. PICNIC basket, picnic blanket and sun umbrella available. Head out to the lake or beach for the day!
WINTER HEATING: Woodburner, electric heaters in bedrooms, some beds have electric blankets also.
GARDEN: There is a large backyard suitable for outdoor dining. It is fully fenced.
BIKE STORAGE: You can put your bikes in the wood shed in the backyard or lock them on the front porch.
SECURITY: There is a Ring security door bell camera on the front door to monitor the pathway and front entrance while the house is empty. Make sure all guests including babies are included in your booking reservation. If there is a fire or emergency we must know exactly how many people are in the house.
CHILDREN: Books and toys provided for children. Portacot and highchair available on request.
CLEANING: No cleaning fees are charged for your stay as we will handle the cleaning and preparation of the house for your arrival. We kindly request that you leave the house in a clean and orderly condition upon your departure. Failure to do so may result in additional fees. Thank you.
HELP US BE SUSTAINABLE: Follow our recycling guide. Don't buy bottled water - you can drink the tap water. Turn off lights/heating/appliances when not in use.
As part of our efforts to be more eco-friendly, we have implemented a policy of only making up the beds that are required based on the number of guests booked.
By doing so, we aim to minimize water and energy consumption associated with laundry, reduce the use of cleaning products, and ultimately reduce waste. We believe that these small steps can contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.
CHECK IN: Check in is available from 3pm onwards. We can not allow early check ins due to our cleaners schedule. You will be sent the new code for the lock box on the morning of your arrival.
PETS: We sometimes allow a dog. Please discuss this with us when you request to stay. Permission is needed at the time of booking.
TRAVEL TIPS AND LOCAL GUIDES: Take advantage of our travel tips and local guides by reading through the Guidebook to discover exciting activities and attractions to explore during your stay. However, please be aware that you must obtain your own travel insurance, as we are unable to provide coverage for you. In the event of cancellation, VRBO/Bookabach policies will apply.
HELP US BE SUSTAINABLE: Follow our recycling guide. Don't buy bottled water - you can drink the tap water. Turn off lights/heating/appliances when not in use.
Extras: Linen (included); NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean the house and do the dishes before you leave;
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Must be discussed with host prior to booking.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outside only.
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please leave the house clean and tidy. Wash & dry dishes. Put them away. Put back any moved items/furniture.
Put used towels in the washing machine.
Turn off all heating, lights etc. Close windows and doors. Return the key to the lock-box. Make sure you have all your personal items.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
All heating, electric blankets, lights etc must be turned off on depature
Please leave the property as you found it - clean and tidy. Items left behind that need to be posted will incur a $20 handling fee plus postage.
If you have a dog you must clean up after it. Dogs not to be left alone inside the house.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 20034847
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
Note from host: All guests must be included in total
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
About the area
Hokitika
Located in Hokitika, this cottage is in the city centre and on a river. Hokitika Museum and Te Waipounamu Maori Heritage Centre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Hokitika Clock Tower and Hokitika Lighthouse. Travelling with kids? Consider Westland Greenstone Ltd and The Gold Room. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and rafting nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and mountain climbing.
Te Waipounamu Maori Heritage Centre - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
National Kiwi Centre - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Getting around
Hokitika (HKK) - 4 min drive
Restaurants
The Hokitika Sandwich Company - West Coast - 2 min walk
Fat Pipi Pizza - 2 min walk
Stumpers Bar & Reasturant - 3 min walk
Clocktower Cafe - 6 min walk
Subway - 4 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Crooked Mile Cottage - by the sea pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Crooked Mile Cottage - by the sea?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Crooked Mile Cottage - by the sea on 19 Sept 2026 start from AU$273, 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 Crooked Mile Cottage - by the sea?
There is free parking nearby.
What time is check-in at Crooked Mile Cottage - by the sea?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Crooked Mile Cottage - by the sea?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Crooked Mile Cottage - by the sea located?
This family-friendly Hokitika cottage is located by the sea, just steps away from Hokitika Museum and Hokitika Beach. Westland Greenstone Ltd and The Gold Room are also within 5 minutes.
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Lovely old place and typical of its era. Well organised and equipped kitchen, great beds and lots of interesting bits and bobs of kiwiana to check out or reminisce on. Very close to shopping and beach. Very clean and tidy. I highly recommend this place and will be back.
10/10 recommend this spot. Had an awesome stay in this beautiful character home. Morning coffee in the back yard hammock followed by a quick walk to the beach was a delight. Wish we could have spent more time here!
Brydon W.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Apr 2026
Wow, thanks so much for your kind words. So glad you enjoyed chilling out in the hammock. We look forward to having you stay again one day.
We had a lovely stay in this charming old-style villa. Everything was clean and tidy on arrival, and the location was perfect—close to amenities, with easy walking access to both the town and the beach. There was plenty to do in the area.The house itself was warm and inviting, with a fire all set and ready to go, which heated the space quickly. The beds were very comfortable, and despite there being only one bathroom for the six of us, it worked surprisingly well and was never an issue. The shower was also excellent.Overall, a very enjoyable and comfortable stay.
We had a wonderful stay in this uniquely joyful house. Loved the little touches that made us feel very welcome. Close to town and beach. We were treated to a spectacular sunset.
We enjoyed our time at Crooked Mile Cottage. The location couldn't have been better, and we used it as our base to do sections of the Wilderness Trail.
Craig B.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 20 May 2025
Thanks so much for the lovely review. We're so glad to hear you had a great stay.
Michelle: Please see my Vrbo message to you for my review. We had a fabulous stay! - Rod -
Peggy N.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Apr 2025
Here is the review Peggy wrote as a message to me rather than posting as a review. She got a little confused about how to do it:
Thanks for a wonderful stay! The location is perfect -- it's very easy walking distance to everything in Hokitika visitors need -- short of the Hokitika Gorge (which we visited today). The furnishings in the Crooked Mile Cottage were a real "plus" for the seaside location. We loved everything about our stay in Hokitika! Thanks from Rod, Peg & Brad
We had a lovely stay. The property was exactly as we expected from the description and suited us just fine.
Very easy access to all the local attractions.
Overall just great!
Loved the quirky art and homely feel. Close to town and the beach. We liked that the rooms were separate . Good washing machine , tidy and equipped with everything we needed
This is a lovely house in a very central location in Hokitita. The property is well maintained and has everything a family or group would need. We liked the attention to detail, like the personal welcome card, and felt very much at home staying here. Would definitely recommend to a friend.
Historic home with modern updates. Very nicely decorated by an artist....lots of beach colors and vibe, and plants in every room. Spacious 3 BR, galley kitchen, DR seats 4, living area roomy and bathroom functional. Spotty internet. 1 block from beach and 5 min from city center for dining and shopping.
David S.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Jan 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so pleased you enjoyed the unique beachy vibe and layout of our historic cottage. Regarding the internet, we're a bit surprised to hear that, as the house runs on a Fibre connection with excellent speed and reliability. We’ve never had any issues or similar feedback, so it may have been a device-specific hiccup. We're glad it didn’t take away from your stay and hope to welcome you back next time you're in Hokitika!
If you are looking for something different in a great location
If you are after a great kiwi batch experience on the West Coast then this quirky cottage is for you. Reminded me so much of my grandparents batch in Whitianga when I was a kid (no Readers Digests though 😊) Beds are comfy, wood fire does a great job on a wet night and some great eating places are 5 mins walk away. The beach is less than a minute out the back gate with a great path for a walk with the dog. Great communication from Michelle the host. Would definitely stay again
Crooked Mile Cottage was just the thing for a group of friends doing a road trip on the West Coast. Right by the beach and the town centre, the cottage has everything needed to feel right at home. The fire was laid for us when we came in out of the rain, and we felt welcome from the first. We booked for six people, but in the end only four could come. Six people would still have rubbed along fine.
Tracey M.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Oct 2024
Thank you for the lovely review and for being such great guests. We'd love to host you again sometime.
Our queen mattress made it difficult to sleep as it was soft and tended to sink somewhat in the middle. Tried to sleep on the lower bunk bed in the same room and it was even worse.
Good location but we would choose someplace else to stay in Hokitika next time.
karen F.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Dec 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear the beds didn’t meet your expectations. Many of our recent guests have commented on how comfortable they found the high-quality mattresses, but we understand that preferences for mattress firmness can vary. We’d also like to note that there were two additional single beds and another queen bed available for your use. We're glad you enjoyed the location, and we hope you had a great time exploring Hokitika!
Property was fine. I do think if you have more than 4 people there the bathroom and toilet facilities are lacking.
Having the only toilet in the bathroom can certainly create a problem with a number of people staying. That's my only negative
Occasion was a big birthday of someone born and raised in Hokitika. House was base for family members helping her celebrate. It couldn't have been better: location, facilities, ambience. Situated almost next to shops on one side, sea on another, and river on the third. Three double bedrooms, very well-equipped kitchen, nice dining area, efficient bathroom, big backyard.: what's not to rave over?
John C.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
About the host
Hosted by MichelleBl14
What makes this property unique
The best location in Hokitika. A short walk to everything. Fully fenced, large backyard. An old house with many quirks and interesting features