Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views
Listen to native bird song, watch stunning sunrises, and stargaze from lovely Mamaku cabin, at Ao Marama Retreat.
The cabin itself is a double ensuite cabin of wood construction and built to minimise it's impact on the environment, with enough comforts to make your stay feel like a true escape.
Ao Marama Retreat in Golden Bay, New Zealand is a former Buddhist retreat set amongst 16 acres of Regenerating Native Bush. The retreat is nestled on a hill with sweeping views of the sparkling ocean below.
We strive to create a more sustainable form of tourism, and believe everyone has the right to travel the world but also a responsibility to reduce our impact on our planet. Our initiatives include: - our water is all collected rain water - we grow organic food in our gardens - have chickens for eggs - reduce, recycle and re-use everything we can
Next step is to remove our dependance on the grid by installing a Solar and Solar PV system for our main home and cabins.
Golden Bay itself true nature lovers paradise - a unique blend of Mountains, Rivers, Bush and Ocean - and if you love the outdoors you will find what you want to do here - walking, cycling, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking, sailing, hunting, fishing. We can help arrange any of these activities.
Of course you if you just prefer to really unplug and slow down and enjoy nature you don t even have to leave the retreat - enjoy the beauty of nature and the bush from various lookout points, order an organic food pack to cook a lovely meal or do a yoga session on our viewing platform.
Come and be closer to nature.
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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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Collingwood
Collingwood is home to this cabin. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Collingwood Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kahurangi National Park and Tukurua Bay.
Abel Tasman National Park - 45 min drive - 60.0 km
Abel Tasman Coast Track - 45 min drive - 60.0 km
Restaurants
The Mussel Inn - 10 min drive
The Courthouse Cafe - 3 min drive
Lady luck Cafe - 3 min drive
Poss - 5 min drive
Rosy Glow Chocolate Shop - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views?
As of 27 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views on 9 Aug 2026 start from AU$101, 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 Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Mamaku Cabin - Ao Marama Retreat - Stunning Bush setting and Ocean Views located?
Situated in Collingwood, this cabin is within 1 mile (2 km) of Tukurua Bay and Collingwood Museum. Collingwood Recreation Ground and Milnthorpe Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Lovely stay and beautiful views. Was so good being able to have our dogs with us in the vehicle. Hosts really helpful and friendly. Cabins really comfortable and main lounge kitchen was great and well set up.
My wife and I are both very impressed with our stay at Ao Marama. Incredible hosts, fantastic environment and stunning scenery. We couldn't have asked for a better place to have spent the weekend, the facilities were very clean and very nice. The communal outdoor kitchen is such an awesome idea. we will most definitely be back soon.
We stayed at Ao Marama for our honeymoon and found true relaxation in this beautiful setting. Duan and Elizabeth were so welcoming and helpful. Make sure you sit out on the sun deck and ask for a morning coffee - seriously good brew! Would recommend to anyone!
We wondered if the sheets were clean and then we found a contact lens - not ours - in our bed which implied the sheets were not fresh and clean. Otherwise the overall impression was great.
Jan B.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Mar 2020
Hi Jan
It was great to have you, Peter and your dog come and stay with us.
I'd like to reassure you ever guest has clean sheets - one explanation was that it was already attached to the duvet when the bed was made.
Apologises though and we would have been happy to provide you with additional clean sheets if we'd been made aware of the find at the time.
Be lovely to have you to stay again.
Best
Elizabeth and Duan
This was a far too short stay. You wake up to the songs of tuis and grry warblers and look out over a blissful view I loved the off the grid experience with none of the basics lacking. Elizabeth and Duan are fabulous hosts and I can't wait to return.😁
Alex R.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Rick M.
5 Apr 2019
Beautiful remote location with views of the Bay. Community kitchen was clean and adequate.
Elizabeth and Duan are very accommodating hosts.
Rick M.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Rebecca C.
22 Mar 2019
Awesome
Great spot for the sun rises and rest.
Rebecca C.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Annette G.
11 Mar 2019
Ruhe pur am Meer
Die Hütte liegt direkt oberhalb des Meeres mit wunderbarem Ausblick, sogar in der Outdoorküche. Die Lage ist völlig ruhig.
Sehr nette, engagierte und hilfsbereite Gastgeber.
Für WLAN musste man im Moment noch 50 Meter zum Haupthaus laufen.
Annette G.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Charlotte M.
6 Jan 2019
Beautiful property, peaceful beach, lots to do in area and great hosts!
Already planning our return trip! Enjoyed cooking in the outdoor kitchen with the best views, seeing all the native birds wonder the property and the peace and quiet. Cosy clean cabins with beautiful sunrise views. Thanks again for a relaxing few days!
Charlotte M.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2018
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Greg L.
14 Feb 2018
Amazing location, very secluded with spectacular sea views over Golden Bay.
Amazing location, very secluded with spectacular sea views over Golden Bay. Accommodation spotlessly clean and well presented.?? Love the shared open kitchen and dining, great way to meet other guests. Another breathtaking view over the Bay.??
Greg L.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Greg L.
14 Feb 2018
Amazing location, very secluded with spectacular sea views over Golden Bay.
Amazing location, very secluded with spectacular sea views over Golden Bay. Accommodation spotlessly clean and well presented.?? Love the shared open kitchen and dining, great way to meet other guests. Another breathtaking view over the Bay.??
Greg L.
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Eckhard K.
3 Feb 2018
Peace & Quiet, great.
Peace & Quiet, great.
Eckhard K.
About the host
Hosted by Duan and Elizabeth
We are a family who loves our planet.
Both originally from New Zealand (Papakura and Bluff) we met in London where our three kids were born.
After living overseas for 20 years, and seeing many amazing places and cultures we decided to return to New Zealand to create an experience for people who love to travel yet reduce their impact on the world in which we live.
Or even reverse some of it.
We have become far more interested and concerned in the state of our planet and have recently been studying Permaculture, Solar Power, Organic gardening and Bee-keeping - and want to implement our little knowledge and gain a lot more.
This is the beginning of a new journey for us and we welcome you to come and spend time with us in this special corner of the Earth.
Why they chose this property
Between us we have been very lucky to travel to many amazing countries including Lebanon, Libya, Viet-Nam, Nepal, Cuba, Ethiopia, Japan and Namibia and have always been inspired by the cultures but equally the places that we have stayed at and the people we have stayed with.
We have long dreamt of creating an experience that we shape based on all of these different places we have seen - and started looking for a suitable property in the last few years.
From old farms in Morocco to in-need-of-love Lodges in Spain and Boutique Vineyards the search eventually brought us all the way back home and Ao Marama more than fulfilled our criteria as a starting point and we now want to build upon the amazing effort by former owners and occupants.
From the stunning regenerating bush setting, the absolutely stunning view across the Bay and the indescribable vibe of the place - it was very quickly apparent that this place had something different from anything else we had seen.
We want everyone to arrive excited and leave rested and inspired and hopefully ever so slightly enriched.
And now the journey begins...
What makes this property unique
Whether you seek a peaceful retreat, a base to go Hiking Biking, Sailing or Paddling in the stunning environment that is Golden Bay, or you want share stories and ideas, get close to nature, enjoy organic food or just stare at the stars.
- Our own Bush track leads you right down to Collingwood beach - You can walk into Collingwood village along a country road - Stay with a passionate Kiwi family who will be as accommodating to your needs as possible - if you want help we'll be there - if you want peace we'll be elsewhere. - We are motivated by creating an experience that is in harmony with nature and not against it - we are absolute novices and want to learn as much as possible to make this happen - Next steps is installing a complete solar system to power our house and the cabins - Free Range Chickens laying eggs you can have for breakfast - Eventually we want to introduce organic dining options - with food predominantly grown in our gardens