“Spend a weekend in a tiny home, on a four-acre lifestyle block in rural Taranaki,” said the Tiny Away website. The husband and I needed a reset, so we were happy to live in a paddock for a couple of days, with cows, horses, sheep and chickens our only visible neighbours.
Taranaki Creekside Tui is on a working farm eight kilometres from Stratford, with spectacular views of Mount Taranaki. At 2518 metres, is the second-highest mountain in the North Island. Shortly after arriving between showers, we donned gumboots for the walk through fields to the house at the far end of the paddock.
The builders crafted the 14.4 square metre house well, incorporating many nooks and crannies. With a heat pump, kitchenette, eco-friendly bathroom facilities and a comfortable bed on the mezzanine floor, we settled in, whipped up dinner and tucked in early.
The next day, after an excellent continental breakfast, which included homemade jams and also freshly-laid free-range eggs, we set out to walk the 4.8km Lake Mangamahoe Lower Lakeside Trail. A stroll around the man-made lake is like a movie, with a new scene around every corner.
Accompanied by birdsong, we wandered through breathtaking scenery. There was regenerating native bush, production forests and also fantasy woodland, including the protected giant Californian redwood trees, planted in 1931.
After a quick post-walk drink at the Fern Lodge hotel in Inglewood, we returned to our cosy home. Sadly, rain meant we couldn’t light the brazier, but we happily spent the evening playing games and reading.
The splendour of Mount Taranaki begs to be explored. There’s a multitude of walks on this stratovolcano, ranging from 15-minute strolls to five-day treks. There’s also even a skifield that runs from June to October. Although be aware it’s a 25-minute walk from the car park. The mountain has its own climate, so ensure you’re well prepared before attempting any of the routes.
Rejuvenated from our adventure, we reluctantly packed and returned to Auckland. Having done hotels, motels, caravans and motorhomes, the tiny home experience was new to us. It was a true break from reality that we’d do again in a heartbeat.
For more info on on Tiny Away homes around New Zealand, visit tinyaway.com.
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