Description :
Orongo Bay Homestead was built for Irish born, naturalised American Commercial Agent James G White. Today the impressive, fully-restored, two-storey wooden Homestead is an exclusive, historic country residence with fine wine and renowned cuisine.

About the property:
The region of Northland and the Bay of Islands stretches north from Auckland, towards the warm waters of Polynesia, the ancestral home of New Zealands first inhabitants.

The relaxed, sunny lifestyle of the area springs from its subtropical climate and the myriad of beautiful islands, bays and beaches around the coastline. The people of the North have a passion for water sport - surfing, boating, game fishing, sailing and diving. They also have a deep appreciation of the region's fascinating Maori and European history.

Organic certification and a healthy regard for luxury, promise an experience unmatched anywhere. Even the water for the guests and gardens is drawn from natural springs among native bush.

The Homestead enjoys views across the clear jade waters of New Zealand's sub tropical Bay of Islands from the bay over which it has a commanding presence.

Owners and hosts Chris Wharehinga Swannell and Michael Hooper invite you to share the peace and comfort of their natural haven. A sheltered sun-facing verandah looks over sweeping front lawns across Orongo Bay to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where Maori and European first formally agreed to live together in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Nearby Russell was the nation's first Capital.

Property facilities:
- Check-in time - 3pm
- Check-out time - 12 noon
- Nearest airport - Kerikeri/Bay of Islands
- Transfer time from airport - 45 mins
- No. Floors - 2
- No. Rooms - 5
- Sauna - dry finish available in winter months
- No. Bar(s) - 1 lounge
- No. Restaurant(s) - 1 dining room - by arrangement
- Laundry facilities - housekeeper will do laundry at $30 per load
- Free On site parking
- Baby sitting/Child minding service - by prior arrangement
- Non smoking rooms - all buildings are non-smoking
- Serviced daily, with evening turndown
- No. Handicapped/Disabled rooms - 1

Room facilities:
Room Type: Pacific, Retreat, Consul, Oyster Bay (until end nov 04) - Oyster Bay view (from Dec 04)
- Ceiling fans
- TV (Pacific, Oyster Bay only)
- Radio (Retreat, Consul, Oyster Bay view only)
- VCR/DVD Retreat, Oyster Bay view only)
- CD system (Pacific, Retreat, Consul, Oyster Bay view only)
- Free In house movies (Pacific, Oyster Bay view only)
- Mini bar (Pacific, Retreat, Consul only)
- Refrigerator (Pacific, Retreat, Consul only)
- Hairdryer
- Balcony/terrace (Pacific, Retreat only)
- Ensuite bathroom
- Room view - bay, bush, pond

Location:
Orongo Bay Homestead is a historic-listed gourmet guest house specializing in wine and food, set in 17 private hectares of organic-certified gardens, lawns and native bush on the coast near Russell in the Bay of Islands.

The Bay of Islands region is 4 hours drive north of Auckland or a 50 minute Air New Zealand commuter flight from Auckland to Kerikeri.