Entire home
Birdsong Cottage - nestled up against Mt Aspiring National Park with Spa
Riverside cottage with kitchen and patio
Photo gallery for Birdsong Cottage - nestled up against Mt Aspiring National Park with Spa





Reviews
9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Makarora, OTA
- Place, Lake Ohau
- Place, Lake Hawea
- Place, Lake Wānaka10 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
About this property
Birdsong Cottage - nestled up against Mt Aspiring National Park with Spa
This original stone cottage is nestled on a bushy section between Mt Aspiring National Park and land owned by the Makarora Wonderland Lodge. We live in the Octagonal house next to you. The bird life is incredible with Kaka, Tui and Kereru frequently landing in the trees around us. It is a spacious, self-contained, 2 bedroom abode (choice of singles or King bed in second room) with lounge. There is a collection of DVD's and board games. Fully equipped kitchen. Outside is a garden entertaining area with table and chairs, BBQ, and views up to Mt Shrimpton. The Nature Walk and Shrimpton Track join up to our property. Go for a night wander to see the glow worms!
The Cottage is a 2 minute walk from the Wonderland Cafe/Restaurant/Bar and a 10 minute drive from the must-see Blue Pools. There are a number of epic short walks and multi-day hikes including the Gillespies Pass Circuit right at your door-step. We recommend staying a few nights to enjoy the wilderness, hiking, trout fishing or jumping on a fixed wing plane, heli or jet boat for an adventure up the Wilkin River Valley and beyond.
The Cottage is a 2 minute walk from the Wonderland Cafe/Restaurant/Bar and a 10 minute drive from the must-see Blue Pools. There are a number of epic short walks and multi-day hikes including the Gillespies Pass Circuit right at your door-step. We recommend staying a few nights to enjoy the wilderness, hiking, trout fishing or jumping on a fixed wing plane, heli or jet boat for an adventure up the Wilkin River Valley and beyond.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (64 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 3:30 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Important information
You need to know
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
Property # 9408500
About the area
Makarora
Located in Makarora, this cottage is in the mountains and on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Te Wahipounamu and Blue Pools. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting, ecotours and mountain climbing nearby.

Makarora, OTA
What's nearby
- Lake Wānaka - 10 min drive - 15.4 km
- Blue Pools - 14 min drive - 11.7 km
- Aotearoa Gemstones - 49 min drive - 97.9 km
- Haast Visitor Centre - 51 min drive - 100.5 km
- Haast Beach - 64 min drive - 105.6 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Makarora country cafe - 3 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window8.6/10
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Amenities
8.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.6/10
Eco-friendliness
9.4/10
Check-in
9.2/10
Communication
9.6/10
Location
9.2/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
17 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Elizabeth M.
24 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy




Elizabeth M.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jeric D.
17 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jeric D.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Sarah T.
8 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sarah T.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Neil W.
2 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Neil W.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Alison H.
24 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Alison H.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
8/10 Good
Lynnette C.
14 Dec 2025
Disliked: Communication
Lynnette C.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Yeh H.
10 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Yeh H.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Melissa K.
13 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Melissa K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
8/10 Good
Brett M.
19 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location
Brett M.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Damien B.
12 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
Damien B.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Alie H.
28 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing, would stay again
Alie H.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
8/10 Good
Michele M.
21 Mar 2024
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot for hiking in the park.
Michele M.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Matthew H.
3 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
wonderful wee cottage
Matthew H.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Boudina H.
17 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Birdsong cottage
Boudina H.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024
8/10 Good
Roger B.
3 Mar 2024
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
weekend away
Roger B.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Katie C.
8 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute cottage in the bush
Katie C.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Michelle V.
20 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A little paradise
Michelle V.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jeremy F.
8 Apr 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cottage
Jeremy F.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Ronald D.
9 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Stay
Ronald D.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Clare R.
29 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy


Clare R.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Yosef S.
8 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice and cozy
Yosef S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Joannd B.
18 Jan 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A cosy and comfortable cottage!
Joannd B.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
joanne r.
20 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cool cottage
joanne r.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Rachel W.
5 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cosy & Clean
Rachel W.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
About the host
Hosted by Sarah Forder
My husband, son and I have lived in Makarora for 7 years. I am a conservationist and coordinate predator control work out here to protect our precious wildlife. I know a lot about birds!
Why they chose this property
For the mountains and rivers!
What makes this property unique
An affordable and spacious place, very much undiscovered
Languages:
English
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