The Boathouse, The Landing

The Location

The Landing occupies a sacred and spectacular stretch of the Purerua Peninsula at the southwestern tip of the Bay of Islands — one of New Zealand’s most iconic and historically significant coastlines. This is the birthplace of Aotearoa’s shared history between Māori and Pākehā, the place where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and where the country’s story truly began. Today, the Bay of Islands is celebrated the world over for its 144 islands, its extraordinary marine life, and the kind of deep-blue, island-scattered seascape that demands to be explored by water.

The Landing estate itself spans over a thousand acres of beaches, rolling farmland, native bush, wildlife sanctuaries, and heritage sites — developed with the blessing and contribution of local iwi, and managed with genuine commitment to conservation. Six private beaches are yours to discover. Kiwi habitat and native planting are carefully protected throughout the grounds. An award-winning vineyard — the largest in Northland — produces beautifully crafted wines with a New Zealand history two centuries in the making. Kerikeri Airport is around 30 minutes away by road or boat, and Auckland just 55 minutes by helicopter directly to the estate’s helipad, making The Landing as easy to reach as it is extraordinary to arrive at.

The Boathouse

The Boathouse draws its character from the colonial woolshed that once stood on this same patch of shoreline — and that heritage is worn with great style. The architecture is bold and barn-like: soaring cathedral ceilings, huge sliding barn doors that throw the entire central living space open to sun and salt air, and a natural palette of timber and stone that feels as much a part of the landscape as the bay itself. When those doors roll back, the boundary between indoors and out dissolves entirely, and the calm waters of Wairoa Bay become the fourth wall.

Upstairs, the mezzanine king master bedroom catches all-day sun and looks across rolling pasture, with internal shutters that open to the double-height living space and frame a view straight through to the bay. Downstairs, a timber-lined twin bedroom opens directly to the garden — ideal for families, or for a second couple travelling together. A luxurious bathroom serves the residence, with additional outdoor facilities for when you’ve come straight from the water. Throughout, the mood is one of considered ease: warm, tactile, unhurried.

Outside, the entertaining spaces are exceptional. A large covered outdoor dining area comfortably seats 20 guests — The Boathouse is as well-suited to a private celebration as it is to a quiet escape for four. Sun loungers sit with the bay at their feet. An outdoor fireplace and pizza oven make for long, unhurried evenings. Multiple terraces allow you to follow the sun as it traces its arc across the day. And less than 150 metres from the front door, The Landing’s private jetty serves as the launching point for everything the Bay of Islands has to offer on the water.

The Experience

To stay at The Boathouse is to have the full resources of The Landing at your disposal. Every overnight stay includes a wine-tasting tour of the estate vineyard — a wonderful introduction to Northland’s finest drops, poured with the kind of knowledge and warmth that comes from genuine pride in the land. The Landing’s concierge team are expert curators of both the estate and the wider Bay of Islands, available to arrange exactly as much or as little as you’d like.

From the private jetty, a marine playground awaits: fishing, diving, kayaking, sailing, or simply cruising the 144 islands of the bay at your own pace. Walking tracks wind through the estate’s native bush and across its historic grounds. Private chef services can be arranged, bringing The Landing’s exceptional produce directly to your table — fruit and vegetables grown in the estate’s own gardens and orchards, paired with wines that have never had far to travel. In-villa massages, private cookery lessons with the Landing chefs, and scenic helicopter flights over this remarkable corner of Northland are all available on request.

For those seeking luxury accommodation in the Bay of Islands NZ where the setting is genuinely extraordinary and the experience is genuinely your own, The Boathouse at The Landing is an address like no other. It is, in the truest sense, a place where idyllic days unfold to the call of seabirds and the quiet lap of the ocean — and where no one is keeping time.

Season dates, rates and minimum night stay requirements may apply. Please contact one of our team for accurate availability and quotes.