Summary:
River View Farm Retreat by Tiny Away is a cozy holiday homes NZ escape in Bruce Farm, where guests can interact with alpacas, feed baby lambs, and enjoy a tour of the farm. Meet Strepsil, the miniature horse, and collect colorful eggs from various chicken breeds.
With animals like Bindi the cow, Knuckles the dog, and Ninja the cat, there’s never a dull moment. The farm’s onsite shop offers alpaca-made products and local goods combining animal experiences with a perfect rural getaway.
The Space:
River View Farm Retreat by Tiny Away in Hillend is just 45 minutes from Dunedin. It presents a charming tiny house experience overlooking alpaca-filled paddocks. During birthing season, guests can see newborn cria while taking in views of Balclutha and Kaka Point’s lighthouse at night.
With the Clutha River running nearby, visitors are close to local gems like Purakaunui Falls, Nugget Point, Cannibal Bay, and the Catlins.
A cozy 139-square-foot tiny home is set in one of the best tiny house rentals and serene locations with abundant natural bushland, easy access to water, split air conditioning, a kitchenette, cooking equipment, and excellent bathroom facilities. These amenities include an eco-friendly cassette toilet with a removable waste holding tank, hand basin, and shower (gas heated for hot showers).
If you plan to spend your holiday homes NZ escape here, we advise that you bring your basic necessities such as food and water during your stay with us. Thank you!
Guest Access:
Guests can access the tiny home and surrounding areas. Guests will need supervision when entering paddocks where animals are. They can sit out front of the tiny house and have a full 180-degree view of the river and surrounding hills and farms.
Breakfast and BBQ pack are available for an additional cost.
The Neighborhood:
River View Farm Retreat by Tiny Away sits in Hillend, 45 minutes from Dunedin, where the rugged beauty of Central Otago meets the peaceful rhythm of countryside life. Overlooking paddocks with alpacas and newborn cria, this tiny house offers views of the Clutha River and Balclutha.
The region's landscape is shaped by gold rush history and is renowned for Pinot Noir. It’s a location ideal for wine tasting, cycling trails, and discovering relics of the past. The farm’s quiet charm mixes in with the powerful scenery of Otago’s hills and rivers.
Our local recommendations:
- Purakaunui Falls are a cascading three-tiered waterfall located in the heart of the Catlins Forest Park.
- Cannibal Bay is well known for beach surfing, coastal walks, and sea-lions that often gather to sunbathe.
- Florence Hill Lookout is an excellent location for viewing Tautuku Beach and the southern lights at night.
- Catlins Horse Trek is an exciting attraction that offers small-group rides through farmland, native woodlands, and wildlife.
- The Catlins offers a wide range of natural attractions such as native forests, sandy beaches, sparkling bays, cascading waterfalls, and many more.
- Nugget Point is a renowned panoramic spot on the Catlins coast that features one of New Zealand's oldest lighthouses overlooking rocks named by Captain Cook for their gold-like appearance.
- Balclutha, located in the Otago region of New Zealand, is a rural town known for its farming community and access to the Clutha River. It is a gateway to the Catlins, with opportunities to explore waterfalls, forests, and coastal wildlife.
If you want to explore more of the area, other places of interest include:
- Cathedral Caves is accessible by a short walk during low tide, showcasing stunning natural architecture.
- At Bruce Farm Alpaca Stud, meet and hand-feed alpacas, tour the farm to see horses, chickens, lambs, dogs, and cats, and join activities like drenching and birthing with the alpacas.
- Otago Rail Trail is a scenic 152 km biking and walking track, offering stunning views of Central Otago’s landscapes.
- Jacks Bay Blowhole is a natural blowhole on the coastline, accessible via a short walk, offering dramatic ocean views and unique geological formations.
- Nugget Point Lighthouse is perched on cliffs, providing panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding landscape, with opportunities to spot marine wildlife.
- Lawrence is a charming nearby town with a rich gold mining history, featuring a museum and various walking and biking tracks, including the Clutha Gold Trail.
Getting Around:
By Car:
- The closest city is Dunedin, 45 minutes away. There is a taxi service available in Balclutha.
- Dunedin has the nearest airport.
By Public Transport:
- No public transport available.
- Taxis are available in Balclutha.
- All tourist sites and the property are accessible by car.
By Flight:
- The nearest airport is Dunedin Airport.
- From the airport, it’s a 45-minute drive to the property, with rental cars and taxi services available for transportation.
Other Things to Note:
- Gas BBQ Grill is available
- Large skip bin available for rubbish
- No unregistered guests or visitors are allowed
- All entry to paddocks is to be supervised by hosts
- No pets allowed due to our puppy and nearby alpacas and lambs.
- Two pets on the property, Knuckles the puppy and Ginger Ninja the cat
- It is a working farm, so be aware of the movement of vehicles and animals
- Mobile reception has a good signal for Spark and no signals for the rest
- Please expect limited connectivity as the tiny house is set in a rural locality
- No Smoking inside the tiny home, our designated smoking area is the BBQ area with ashtrays provided
- We would like to advise guests that longer stays or later check-outs will incur an additional charge
House guidelines
- Don’t forget to close the windows and lock doors when leaving the tiny house/ property
- Make sure to turn off the lights, air conditioning, and electronics (e.g., especially chargers)
Important note:
- Fire pit and firewood are provided, ensuring that there is no fire ban in effect and that high winds are not present.
- Due to the nature of the property, abundant wildlife may be present in the surrounding areas
- For stays of 5 nights or more, an additional cleaning fee will be collected to help maintain the [compost/cassette] toilets and ensure a clean and fresh experience for all guests. We appreciate your understanding.
Interaction with Guests:
Guests will enjoy your own private space but we are always happy to chat with you.
