India House - Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards Unique Category Bronze Winner!

Whareama, Wellington Region
$128 avg/night Minimum Stay 2 Nights
Bed 3

Bed

Bath 1

Bath

Home Cottage

Property Type

Sleep 6

Max Sleeps

Night 2 nights

Min Stay

India House is a rustic, charming (original 1866) 3 bedroom stand-alone cottage, located in the grounds of the historic Ica Station Homestead at Whareama, close to the beach resort of Riversdale. Situated at the end of a ‘no exit’ road, simply enjoy the peace and quiet of an early settler cottage, steeped in history, in the beautiful countryside setting of Ica Station. Originally built in 1866, today ‘India House’ offers our visitors comfortable, clean, rustic accommodation and a location with interesting early NZ rural character. The cottage is quaint and still enjoys many of its original features. It has 3 small twin bedrooms (with the option for Bedroom 1 to be a King size), a living room, small dining kitchen and inside bathroom with flushing toilet and an outside flushing toilet. With uninterrupted views over a small lake and beautiful countryside, here you can relax, read a book, have a glass of wine and listen to the birds in the peaceful and extremely private setting of this cottage. All our guests have use of a swimming pool and spa pool at the main Homestead during their stay! With Riversdale and Otahome Beaches only 15 mins drive away and Castlepoint Beach 35 mins in the opposite direction, this bach is an ideal base for surfers, fishermen, golfers, couples or groups of friends to explore the East Coast of the Wairarapa!. There's plenty to see and do in the area. Nearby Riversdale and Castlepoint offer superb Golf Courses, a local store for food and basic groceries, Tennis Courts, Swimming, Fishing, Surfing, Walking, Diving and Boating. Or Otahome, where you often have the beach to yourselves. Close by is the village of Tinui that has the oldest ANZAC Memorial Cross you can walk up to (Nov - Apr annually) and the Tinui Cafe & Bar for food and drinks. Here the night sky is perfect for stargazing!

Special conditions: Smoking allowed outside only please. Well behaved dog considered (not always possible) - strictly by arrangement only, cost $15 per night, please say when booking. No bottles, glass or pets allowed in the swimming pool/spa pool area. Please note - there is only limited cellphone coverage at the cottage, but wifi is good!. Extras: Cleaning (NZ$35.00 per stay); Linen (included); Tea/Coffee provisions (included); Continental breakfast provisions (extra charge); Shared use of Swimming Pool and Spa Pool available - short stroll across the lawns.

Check-in is available from 1.30pm and check-out by 10.30am.

We also run the 'Whareama Coastal Walk' a 2 or 3 day fully catered 'Walking Adventure' over private farmland and isolated Wairarapa coastline. See the 'Whareama Coastal Walk' website for more details.

NOTE: Under Kiwi bach tradition you are expected to: Clean up and do the dishes before you leave.

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  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Rates & Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • PETS

    1 Total (up To 50 Lbs Per Pet) Pet Friendly Welcoming Dogs Only
  • DINING

    Breakfast Available For A Fee
  • SAFETY

    Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit No Carbon Monoxide Detector (host Has Indicated There Is No Carbon Monoxide Detector Or Gas Appliances On The Property) Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    3 Bedrooms Bed Sheets Provided
  • KITCHEN

    Cookware/dishes/utensils Electric Kettle Microwave Oven Refrigerator Stovetop Toaster
  • PARKING

    Car Required Onsite Parking
  • INTERNET

    Free WiFi
  • OUTDOORS

    Barbecue Grill Garden
  • POOL/SPA

    Hot Tub Outdoor Pool Shared/communal Pool
  • BATHROOMS

    1 Bathroom Hair Dryer Shower Soap Toilet Paper Towels Provided
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English
  • THINGS TO DO

    Fishing Nearby Golf Nearby Hiking Nearby Hiking/biking Trails Nearby Surfing/body Boarding Nearby Swimming Nearby
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    DVD Player TV
  • LIVING SPACES

    Fireplace Living Room
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Heating
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In A Rural Location
  • SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES

    Iron/ironing Board
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    Designated Smoking Areas If You Have Requests For Specific Accessibility Needs, Please Contact The Property Using The Information On The Reservation Confirmation Received After Booking. No Elevator (single Level Property) Note From Host: Smoking Allowed Outside Only.

CheckIn Check-in : 01:30 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:30 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 6

Map Map

School District Rates & Availability

Review Review

  • Jennie J.

    Submitted Dec 29, 2025

    Stayed Dec 26, 2025

    Pet friendly, cosy house, clean and friendly hosts

  • Elliot H.

    Submitted Sep 3, 2025

    Stayed Aug 29, 2025

    It was exactly what we needed :)Beautiful tucked away cottage.Carmen and Dick are wonderful hosts. They even had the log burner started for us before we got there.Will definitely come back again :)

  • Jules v.

    Submitted Jun 3, 2025

    Stayed May 30, 2025

    We loved our stay at India House. It’s a cosy little farmhouse with a fireplace and no Wi-Fi or cellphone reception – perfect for a winter getaway. The grounds are great for a stroll, and the hosts were friendly and helpful.

  • Gillian H.

    Submitted Feb 4, 2025

    Stayed Jan 29, 2025

    India Cottage is like a secret get away - surrounded by trees with a view of a pond, it's a beautiful, relaxing setting that feels like the middle of nowhere. But if you feel like doing something it's fairly close to beaches and walks - Castlepoint, Riversdale and for some yummy food and a game of pool head to the pub at Tinui. The cottage is lovely and has everything you need, and we loved the pool. Not much in the way of wifi but even the teenagers admitted it was nice to unplug and hang out. Dick and Carmen are lovely, welcoming hosts.

  • Jessica D.

    Submitted Dec 30, 2024

    Stayed Dec 24, 2024

    Just what we needed to get off the grid this christmas. Beautiful wee retreat, our family were asll thrilled staying here.

  • karin and Richard S.

    Submitted Apr 1, 2024

    Stayed Mar 29, 2024

    This would be an amazing place to stay if you were tramping or if you have small children. The beds are very comfy, the fireplace works well and the owners are very accommodating. The bathroom has a rudimentary shower only. The kitchen has most things and is workable. Nice setting and relaxing.

  • Davina J.

    Submitted Jan 25, 2024

    Stayed Jan 19, 2024

    A beautiful countryside property. Absolute bonus to be able to use the swimming pool at the main house - especially in the Summer heat. Carmen and Dick were great hosts - offering help with anything we needed. Good to be able to take our dog on holiday with us.

  • ALLAN C.

    Submitted Jan 8, 2024

    Stayed Jan 5, 2024

    Lovely property. Cottage has everything you need to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings. Kitchen well equipped. The beds are super comfortable. Great hosts very welcoming and helpful.

  • Alison H.

    Submitted Nov 9, 2023

    Stayed Nov 4, 2023

    Great place for a peaceful country retreat within easy drive to fabulous beaches ….dog friendly and lovely hosts

  • Jules v.

    Submitted Jul 2, 2023

    Stayed Jun 30, 2023

    The hosts were very lovely and even towed us out of the mud when we got stuck! The house is cosy and well equiped. Highly recommended!

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Total

Includes taxes and fees
$128+
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