We love to share our special spot beside the lagoon. Our cosy shepherd's hut overlooks the Hawksbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, a haven for birds & a peaceful escape for you.You can bird-watch from your bed in the Bird Hide! There are often spectacular sunrises across the water too. The cosy sleeping space with curved ceiling has a queen size bed made up with luxury cotton and linen bedding. It's a replica of a shepherd's hut with modern conveniences such as power, lights and heating. The little woodburner creates a lovely atmosphere on a cold night. In warm weather you can throw open the French doors and relax in your own secluded nature retreat, nestled in the native harakeke. Guests have a private bathroom and kitchenette, located separately from the hut - under the main house, a few steps away up a short path. A free continental breakfast is provided. Free WiFi, off-street parking & EV charging. The Bird Hide is 30 minutes from Dunedin.

Our family feels lucky to live in this part of the world. We are excited to share our slice of paradise with visitors so they can enjoy it too. We've tried to keep the Bird Hide access quite separate from our family home so that you can come and go as you please, arriving and leaving without needing to interact with us. You share a driveway and parking area with the household but the Bird Hide access is private to you. The guest bathroom and kitchen nook are in a separate space below the main house, accessed from the Bird Hide by a short gravel pathway and fronted by your own private courtyard. However, because we live in the house behind The Bird Hide we are here if you need us. We will be only too happy to share our local knowledge with you to make sure you get the most from your stay in our beautiful area.

The Bird Hide is located within the Hawksbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge in the heart of Waikouaiti. Waikouaiti is a beautiful historic area with many options for walking and exploring in and around the village and is only 30 minutes drive away from Dunedin city. There is a network of flat causeways across the lagoon with easy walking on gravelled surfaces. You can take a lovely walk from the end of our street along the causeways to the beach (about 15 minutes). Waikouaiti beach itself is a stunning, sheltered long white beach with few visitors. There is a local Beach St Tavern 10 minutes walk away with dinner options or the Golden Fleece pub on the main road near the shops. The local shops are all on the Main Road (Highway One) and are 10 minutes walk away. There is a dairy for all your general needs, a bakery with delicious Beanos pies and baking, a cafe for yummy breakfasts and lunches and a fish and chip shop. In the summer months you can also enjoy wood-fired pizza from the nearby Karitane general store (5 minutes drive) and food trucks and beer at the stylish Arc Brewery in Evansdale (15 minutes drive).