Bluewater Sanctuary offers a luxury venue with accommodation though a stay with us promises so much more than five-star amenities and a blissful night’s sleep.

Think of it more as an experience.

Experience the tranquility of our eco sanctuary where you’re surrounded by the beauty of nature. Drink in the ocean views, awaken to birdsong, marvel at the starlit skies. Enjoy the warm hospitality provided by us - your hosts, Julianne and Richard. 

Escape. Unwind. Rest. Or, if you’re feeling active, roam the gardens or forest. It’s all here at Bluewater Sanctuary on the Tutukaka Coast, an easy three-hour drive from Auckland.

Whether you’re taking time out for yourself, are with a loved one, celebrating a birthday or planning your honeymoon - we can help make it extra special. Our beautiful property is also tailor-made for retreats and workshops including those we run ourselves.

The Place

A one-kilometre private driveway through pockets of subtropical forest brings you to Bluewater Sanctuary. The main house, high on a hill, overlooks gentle pastureland to the ocean and islands beyond. 

The first thing you’ll notice is the quiet - the silence broken only by the calls of the many birds in our forest that is protected by a Queen Elizabeth II covenant. Keep your eyes open for tui, kererū (wood pigeon), kōtare (kingfisher), pīwakawaka (fantail), and kiwi and ruru (morepork). Watch for the harrier hawks that glide on the airstreams along the ridges.

Laze, read, sunbathe, or practise yoga on the large wooden decks. Stargaze as you soak in the cedar hot tub. Chill or gather with friends in one of our three spacious lounges or in the bar nook. Sit outside at night, warmed by the Tree of Life Brazier.

It feels remote here, yet we are handy to everything. Venture outside our gate, and you’re only minutes from Tukutaka, Matapouri and Whale Bay, and several restaurants and cafés. This area is renowned for its nature reserves and outdoor recreation. Consider making us your base for your diving, fishing, walking or golf trip. 

The Accommodation

The accent is on your comfort. We use only quality cotton linen and provide ample towels and eco toiletries.

Additionally we offer a cooked breakfast or an nutritious, healthy continental breakfast, comprising homemade granola, fruit, yoghurt, bread and spreads, tea or barista coffee. By arrangement, most dietary requirements can be met. Meals can be ordered when booking.

Aroha Suite

Aroha Suite adjoins the main house of Bluewater Sanctuary. It has its own parking and entrance. When you come up the 1.2km drive you arrive at Bluewater Sanctuary and Aroha Apartment. With panoramic views across farmland to the Poor Knights, you can relax in the lounge and soak up the peace and quiet that surrounds you. A romantic hideaway, honeymoon or family holiday - Aroha Suite ticks all the boxes.
Aroha has a self-contained kitchenette with dining table for four. You can walk through to the large bedroom with its super king bed and two king singles. The king singles can be moved into the lounge for families. Relax on the chaise lounge while you gaze into the tropical garden. The beautiful tiled ensuite with double basins, a shower and toilet is off the bedroom.
The door from the bedroom leads to a spacious lounge that has sliding doors opening out to the lawns and the view. There is a gas fire for those cold nights and with double glazing, the rooms are warm all year round. Electric blinds give you privacy at night and keep the heat out during the day.

There is a covered portico with a dining table, BBQ and Tree of Life brazier to toast marshmallows at night. Around the corner is the shared cedar hot tub to soak in after a busy day exploring the coast. The stargazing at night is a must. You feel you can reach up and touch the Milky Way.

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Amenities

Free for guests of the Aroha & Kotare Suite

• Cedar hot tub, heated to the perfect temperature for a relaxing soak

• Boat parking and use of a fish filleting table in required

• Yoga mats available for use on the deck.

• Tips provided by your hosts on things to do and see in the area

• Wifi

Optional services:

• Wellbeing and therapeutic treatments - massages and beauty therapy*

• Poor Knights diving and snorkelling*

• Shuttle service to and from the airport, dive centre, marina etc.*

• Catering including evening meals, picnic hamper, sharing platters*

• Beverages: fresh fruit juice, local wines etc.*

  *price on request

Tui Cottage

Tui Cottage is a self-contained and newly renovated space on the 6-hectare Bluewater Sanctuary property which is located on the ridgeline of sunny north-facing hills, just a short distance from Matapouri Beach. The cottage is accessed via a beautiful scenic 1.2km private driveway that winds through cool glades, fenced pasture and totara forest. Overhead hawks glide as they hunt rabbit. Near the top of the ridge, you turn right into the private (unsealed) access to Tui cottage. To one side is sloping pasture and views to the Tutukaka coast. On the other side, pohutukawa guide you the short distance to the cottage which is nestled on its own amongst pasture and New Zealand native forest. The cottage has a brand new kitchen and bathroom on polished concrete floors. There is a super king bed that splits and a sofa bed. Enjoy all the luxury you need in this serene spot. The deck looks out to views of the Poor Knights Islands. In the morning wake to the tui and wood pigeons. With no city lights, the night sky is wonderful for stargazing. Listen for the calls of kiwi living in the bush. Relax and let your spirit be uplifted. There are so many stunning and beautiful beaches and places to explore from Tui Cottage such as Matapouri and Tutukawa, only 5km away. Walk to Whale Bay or the lighthouse. Superb for paddle boarding or kayaking or just lazing on the beach. Walk the driveway if you want. It’s beautiful.

Retreats, Workshop, Weddings & Conferences

Bluewater Sanctuary is the perfect venue.

We can accommodate participants in a variety of spaces, can even add glamping tents. There are 3 lounges that can be used for meetings, mediation and yoga, demonstrations, social gatherings, business conferences and more.

Intuitive Living and other practitioners organise regular retreats and workshops.

Your Hosts

We’re Julianne O’Brien and Richard Somerville. We look forward to welcoming you to our idyllic hideaway. 

It was love at first sight when we discovered Bluewater Sanctuary. It had long been our dream to live close to the ocean and nature and this ticked all the boxes. Every day we have to pinch ourselves to realise that this is ours, and ours to share.

We both contribute in different ways to the day-to-day running of Bluewater Sanctuary. 

I, Julianne, with my background in health, hospitality and catering, am passionate about providing our guests with delicious food and beverages - organic and local where possible. I’m also an interior decorator and love designing spaces that look beautiful and feel inviting.  I am owner of Intuitive Living which offers health and lifestyle guidance and workshops, particularly to those who live with chronic health conditions. 

I, Richard have had a wonderful career in the architectural and design profession working for leading architects in New Zealand and abroad and is passionate about creating an environment where people can be safe and reflective

As a team we delight in making guests feel at home here. We are passionate about the area and love sharing tips on things to do and see including the lesser known gems.