An absolute lakefront home on Lake Ōkāreka, with a lawn down to your own private jetty and a deck over the water. Five bedrooms sleep 14 - room for a big family or group. A well-loved, relaxed home, all about the lake and the space.
📍 4 min » Blue Lake (Tikitapu)
📍 13 min » Redwoods Forest
📍 16 min » city centre
📍 19 min » airport
✅ Absolute lakefront with a private jetty
✅ Lawn to the water - swim, fish, boat
✅ Five bedrooms, sleeps 14
✅ Air conditioning & a cosy fireplace
The Space:
An absolute lakefront home on the peaceful shores of Lake Ōkāreka, made for big families and groups who want to be right on the water. The front deck steps down to a lawn that runs to your own private jetty, with boat launching nearby and a wetlands boardwalk next door - it's a wonderful spot for swimming, fishing, waterskiing and wakeboarding, or simply watching the lake.
Downstairs is open-plan, tying together a full kitchen, lounge and dining that open onto a large deck with a Weber BBQ looking out over the water. There's a second lounge that can be closed off, three bedrooms (one with an ensuite), the main bathroom, a laundry and a double garage. Upstairs, the master has its own ensuite and a private deck with lake views, and there's a fifth bedroom for the kids. The home is warmed by air conditioning and a cosy fireplace.
This is a well-loved home and has some signs of wear and tear, adding to its relaxed, easy-going charm - it's all about the lake and the space rather than a polished finish.
HIGHLIGHTS
⭐️ Absolute lakefront with your own private jetty
⭐️ Lawn running down to the water's edge
⭐️ Large deck and Weber BBQ overlooking the lake
⭐️ Open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining, plus a second lounge
⭐️ Master with ensuite and a private lake-view deck
⭐️ Five bedrooms, sleeps 14 - great for big groups
⭐️ Air conditioning and a cosy fireplace
⭐️ Double garage and plenty of parking
⭐️ Swim, fish, waterski and wakeboard from your doorstep
- BEDROOMS -
Bedroom 1 (Master, upstairs): King bed, with ensuite and a private deck with lake views
Bedroom 2 (upstairs): Two single beds and two trundle beds
Bedroom 3 (downstairs): Queen bed, with ensuite
Bedroom 4 (downstairs): Queen bed
Bedroom 5 (downstairs): Bunk beds
Sleeps 14 in total. All bedding and linen supplied.
- BATHROOMS -
Three bathrooms - the master ensuite upstairs, a downstairs bedroom ensuite, and the main bathroom.
- LIVING AREA -
An open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining downstairs, opening to a large deck with a Weber BBQ over the lake, plus a second lounge that can be closed off. A laundry and a fully-equipped kitchen.
- PARKING -
A double garage plus off-street parking.
Guest Access:
You'll have the whole house and grounds to yourselves - all five bedrooms, the three bathrooms, both lounges, the kitchen and dining, the lakeside deck with its BBQ, and the lawn down to your private jetty. There's a double garage and off-street parking. Please note a separate one-bedroom unit on the property is let separately and is not part of this booking.
The Neighborhood:
Waterfront Escape sits right on the shore of Lake Ōkāreka, a quiet, scenic lake just east of Rotorua and one of the prettiest spots in the district. It's a relaxed, residential lakeside setting - a wetlands boardwalk is right next door, and the lake is wonderful for swimming, fishing, waterskiing and wakeboarding. The Blue and Green Lakes are just up the road, the Redwoods Forest is a short drive, and central Rotorua with its restaurants, shops and geothermal attractions is around 15 minutes away.
Getting Around:
A car is essential here - Lake Ōkāreka is a peaceful spot a little out of town, with a double garage and off-street parking. By car, Blue Lake (Tikitapu) is about 4 minutes away, the Redwoods around 13, the city centre roughly 16, and Rotorua Airport about 19. Boat launching is nearby if you're bringing one onto the lake.
Other Things to Note:
A few things worth knowing: this is a well-loved home with some signs of wear and tear, which adds to its relaxed, lakeside charm. You have your own private jetty - however please note that sudden drops in lake levels can limit larger boats at times. There's a separate one-bedroom unit on the property that's let separately and isn't part of this booking. WiFi is available for browsing and streaming.
Interaction with Guests:
If you need anything at all during your stay, just send us a message 💬 - happy to help 😊
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Important information
You need to know
Property # 7983703
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 is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Rotorua
Lake Okareka, a neighbourhood in Rotorua, is home to this holiday home. Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Rotorua Arts Village and Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre. Waimangu Cauldron and Lakes Performing Arts Centre are also worth visiting. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding nearby.
Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest - 13 min drive - 8.9 km
Polynesian Spa - 21 min drive - 14.2 km
Skyline Rotorua - 31 min drive - 21.6 km
Mitai Maori Village - 31 min drive - 22.0 km
Getting around
Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional) - 28 min drive
Restaurants
Ciabatta Bakery - 13 min drive
McDonald's - 14 min drive
McDonald's - 17 min drive
Pantry D'or - 16 min drive
Wendy's Hamburgers - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterfront Escape - Lakefront Jetty, Sleeps 14 pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Waterfront Escape - Lakefront Jetty, Sleeps 14?
As of 12 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Waterfront Escape - Lakefront Jetty, Sleeps 14 on 18 Oct 2026 start from AU$641, 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 Waterfront Escape - Lakefront Jetty, Sleeps 14?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Waterfront Escape - Lakefront Jetty, Sleeps 14?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Waterfront Escape - Lakefront Jetty, Sleeps 14?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is Waterfront Escape - Lakefront Jetty, Sleeps 14 located?
Located in Lake Okareka, this holiday home is steps from Lake Okareka and within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokakahi. Buried Village and Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We really enjoyed our stay, the place met all our expectations and we loved the lemon tree and the views :)
Daniel C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 15 July 2026
Daniel, those lemons are a real highlight - guests love them! It was a pleasure having you at Waterfront Escape, and the lake views from that deck really are something special.
The InnList Team
Perfect spot for our family to stay for a long weekend. The view was amazing, and I loved how the house was actually big enough to cater for the amount of guests able to sleep there. The hosts were incredible accomodating with adding people for a few extra nights. Highly recommend!
Absolutely amazing location. Loved the wood burner and lovely heat pumps/throughout the house. Great house for large groups. House was in state of disrepair and clearly not well maintained. Rats come through multiple holes in kitchen walls and eat food off kitchen bench.
helen j.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 22 May 2026
Hi Helen,
Thank you for your feedback. We've not had any pests for some time but following your reports, we've boosted our pest control measures to ensure they aren't an issue moving forward. We find the house is great for large groups and of course you can't beat the location on a lovely summer day!
We hope Rotorua treated you well overall.
The InnList Team
Lovely location. The house was in good condition, bedding comfortable etc. The large deck was great for a large group of people. Just a few minor things - in the kitchen there needs more drinking glasses and teatowels. Also, the knives were blunt. BBQ could have been bigger to deal with cooking a lot of food at once. Minor details on an otherwise good spot.
We had a pleasant stay, the house was clean and comfortable - great for large families or group of friends. Would recommend to others heading to the area.
Our accommodation met our every need, plenty of room for 6 adults, 5 children staying there. The kids enjoyed the canoeing, kayaking on the lake and plenty of outside area for an Easter hunt. Would recommend the property for family/friends get-togethers
We loved our stay at Waterfront Escape. It was tidy and spacious, and quiet. It was the perfect place to unwind and recharge our batteries. The view over the lake from the property is beautiful.
This home had plenty of beds and bathrooms for our group of 10. It was easily accessed and we were well located for all the activities that we had planned to do in the area. The home was right on the lake and had a beautiful view from the back of the house and patio.
We had an incredible stay at this waterfront property in Rotorua! The location was absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views right on the water. The home was easy to access and perfectly equipped with everything we needed for our group of seven.One of the highlights was the kayaks, which allowed us to explore the lake up close, paddle through the amazing lily pads, and even spot sheep grazing across the water—a truly unique experience! The showers were fantastic as well, adding a touch of luxury to our stay.This property exceeded our expectations, and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serene, well-equipped getaway in Rotorua.
Lovely situation, quiet and peaceful, the kids loved the canoes and parents appreciated the wetsuits and life jackets. Plenty of room for all 12 of us. Plenty of linen and consumables replenished when we asked. Heating options excellent, and very handy to Rotorua facilities. The nearby walk lovely.The property does need some maintenance though, the dishwasher broke, the problem was attended to promptly but we were unfortunately left with out one for the entire week. Upstairs shower needs replacing / repair, some lights not working, door handles coming off, deck very slippery when wet, and access to deck limited but faulty door.
Karen B.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Nan G.
26 Jan 2025
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
Pretty Spot, but property is very tired.
Kitchen is not very well equipped. Property was sufficient, but not up to the standards we're used to. Plenty of room. Communication not the best. View is lovely. Property needs some attention.
Overall very enjoyable and only hitch no gas for the BBQ, but felt maintenance had been let slip, lights in one bathroom didn't work, clothes dryer door latch broken, main doors to deck unable to be used, outdoor chair broken, coffee milk-frother agitator missing, broken tile in laundry floor, all minor other than the deck doors and could/should have been repaired before our stay.
Adrian B.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Andrew C.
10 Mar 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Not up to the mark expected.
Nice location, beautiful outlook, plenty of indoor space and grassed area towards the lake. Good supply of Air Con units around the house and the furniture was all reasonably good. Good storage in the garage and plenty of driveway space for up to three cars.
However, the place really needs a deep clean and some general maintenance, seems pretty neglected in a lot of ways.
The adjoining rental is a bit weird with a direct access hollow core door opening onto the internal landing of the master bedroom, easy to hear conversations !
We had a rat in the kitchen eating food overnight, even saw it scuttle under the stove. Management company were informed but seemed not too concerned ? – they have traps under some of the furniture apparently !
Forget bringing a boat. The lake access isn’t deep enough for anything heavier than a jet ski, this would be a struggle though, and muddy. If the adjoining accommodation is being occupied there is effectively nowhere to keep the boat, the driveway is too steep and a sharp transition onto the road.
Unfortunately, with borders closed for the last 2 years there has been plenty of price gouging for peak holiday periods, owners may need to re-think this if they want good occupancy going forward.
So overall, okay place, but overpriced for what is delivered.
With over 12 years renting great places in the lakes district, I wasn't too impressed with this one, but it could be improved.
Andrew C.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2022
Thanks for your feedback Andrew. Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay. We engaged a pest controller immediately after your stay to catch your unwelcome guest. The unit is separated by a large storage room which neither tenant has access to. They have their own parking in front of their entry and you have the main driveway and double garage for parking. If you are bringing a boat, we do issue a caution about the lake levels in the listing as it does drop with significant periods of no rain fall. With that said, we have just had an enormous amount of rain and the lake levels are back up again and suitable for most lake boats :-)
The accommodation is fantastic! 3 bathrooms, many beds, spacious and the views are beautiful!
Beds were most comfortable.
A couple of minor things: main living area aircon remote downstairs doesn’t work. Couldn’t use lounge doors to deck, but I imagine that will be repaired soon?
We were there for a wedding and hosted 20 on two separate afternoons and everyone commented on how gorgeous the home and location is. We will stay again, for sure 🥂
We had a nice relaxing stay here. Great view of lake and bird life. House is nice and warm with fire going and also had heat pumps. 2nd stay at this property and enjoyed both times. Great not having to take your own linen and bedding! Had everything we needed. Would definitely go back.