Entire home

Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks

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A small, single-story cabin with a sloped roof, surrounded by dense vegetation and a lake in the background.
A wooden deck with outdoor furniture, a metal railing, and a view of a garden.
A modern two-story house with a garage, a covered porch, and a small deck.
A bedroom with wooden walls, a bed with a colorful floral bedspread, a wooden dresser, a mirror, and a window with a view of trees.
A room with a wooden dining table and chairs, a black sofa, a patterned rug, and large windows with a view of greenery.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 575 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Rotorua, Bay Of Plenty
  • Place, Lake Okareka
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Polynesian Spa
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Airport, Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Rotorua

At this holiday home you'll be steps from Lake Okareka and 2.8 km (1.8 mi) from Lake Tikitapu. Highlights at this holiday home include a kitchen and a washing machine. .Home features 2 bathrooms, a TV and a coffee/tea maker. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A hairdryer and an iron/ironing board are also available. .Sights within a 10-minute drive of this Lake Okareka holiday home include Lake Rotokakahi and Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest.

What's nearby

  • Lake Okareka - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest - 13 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Polynesian Spa - 21 min drive - 14.2 km
  • Skyline Rotorua - 31 min drive - 21.6 km
  • Mitai Maori Village - 31 min drive - 22.0 km

Getting around

  • Rotorua (ROT-Rotorua Regional) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ciabatta Bakery - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's Hamburgers - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Eastwood - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪geyser cafe - ‬16 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks

Summary:

A charming lakeside tiny house on the shores of Lake Okareka - stunning lake views, kayaks to explore the water, and the Okareka Walkway and bird sanctuary right on your doorstep.



📍 On the lake » Okareka Walkway & bird sanctuary

📍 13 min » Redwoods Forest

📍 16-18 min » Te Puia, Polynesian & Wai Ariki Spa

📍 18 min » Rotorua Airport

📍 25 min » Skyline, Zorb & Canopy Tours



✅ Lakeside tiny house with kayaks & lake views

✅ Sleeps 5 - a queen plus a separate bunk room

✅ 40 Mbps WIFI



The Space:

Kundaniwas - "a small house by the lake" - is a charming, thoughtfully designed tiny home nestled on the shores of Lake Okareka, with stunning lake views and a peaceful, natural setting. On the ground level you'll find a fully-equipped kitchen, a cosy lounge, and a bathroom with a washing machine, while up the stairs a private bedroom with a comfortable queen bed makes the most of the outlook. A separate bunk room - a second tiny house a few metres away, down about 10 stairs - sleeps three more, so there's room for a second couple or the kids. Step outside and Lake Okareka, the Okareka Walkway and the bird sanctuary are right there to enjoy - and there are kayaks for you to explore the water.



HIGHLIGHTS

⭐️ A charming tiny house right on Lake Okareka, with stunning lake views

⭐️ Kayaks to explore the lake

⭐️ Direct access to the Okareka Walkway and bird sanctuary

⭐️ Sleeps 5 - a queen bedroom plus a separate bunk room with three singles

⭐️ Two full bathrooms - one in the main house, one in the bunk room

⭐️ Fully-equipped kitchen, cosy lounge and a washing machine

⭐️ Just 10-15 minutes to the Rotorua city centre, and 13 to the Redwoods

⭐️ A peaceful lakeside escape in a natural setting



- BEDROOMS -

Main house (upstairs): Queen bed - reached by a steep set of stairs

Bunk room (a separate tiny house a few metres away, down about 10 stairs, with its own external entrance): Three single beds in built-in bunks, with its own bathroom (shower and toilet) and a small kitchenette

Sleeps 5 in total. The bunk room is opened up for bookings of more than two guests (keys in a separate lockbox). All bedding and linen supplied.



- BATHROOMS -

Two full bathrooms - one in the main house and one in the bunk room.



- LIVING AREA -

A cosy lounge and a fully-equipped kitchen on the ground level of the main house, plus a washing machine for longer stays.



- PARKING -

One vehicle fits in the carport, reached via a steep driveway. Additional vehicles can park on the road, where there's space right across from the driveway entrance.



Guest Access:

You'll have the main tiny house to yourselves - the kitchen, cosy lounge, bathroom and the upstairs bedroom with its queen bed. For bookings of more than two guests, we'll also open up the separate bunk room - a second tiny house a few metres away, down about 10 stairs - which has three single beds, its own bathroom with a shower and toilet, and a small kitchenette. Outside, the kayaks are yours to use on Lake Okareka. The owners' main residence is on site and they come and go, but everything is quite separate - the driveway is the only shared space.



The Neighborhood:

Lake Okareka is a charming, peaceful lakeside community a short 10-15 minute drive from Rotorua's city centre. The tranquil lake is right on your doorstep - lovely for swimming, boating, fishing or simply relaxing by the water - and the Okareka Walkway and bird sanctuary are within easy reach for a gentle stroll among the native birdlife. You're beautifully placed to enjoy this serene natural setting while still being close to all of Rotorua's attractions, with the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest just 13 minutes away.



Getting Around:

A car is the easiest way to get around from Kundaniwas, as public transport isn't readily available directly from the property. There's a carport for one vehicle, reached by a steep driveway, with additional parking on the road across from the entrance. By car, the Redwoods are about 13 minutes, Te Puia around 16, Polynesian Spa and the lakefront about 18, and Skyline, Zorb and Canopy Tours roughly 25. The city centre is a short 10-15 minutes, and Rotorua Airport around 18-20 minutes away.



Other Things to Note:

WIFI runs at around 40 Mbps. Please note the driveway is steep and parking is limited to one vehicle in the carport, and the stairs up to the main bedroom are quite steep, so the property may not suit those with limited mobility. The owners live in the main residence on site, but your stay stays quite separate - the shared driveway is the only common space. The separate bunk room is a second tiny house a few metres from the main house, down about 10 stairs, and is opened up for bookings of more than two guests, with keys in a separate lockbox.



Interaction with Guests:

If you need anything at all during your stay, just send us a message 💬 - happy to help 😊

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 807 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

To help keep our homes and neighbours safe, we may require the lead guest to provide a government-issued photo ID before check-in. In line with Air...

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector in all accommodation.

Property is also known as

673556b7c9554b0012dfd8a3

Frequently asked questions

Does Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks have a pool?

No, this holiday home doesn't have a pool.

Is Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as laundry facilities, a BBQ and travel cots, it's no surprise that Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks?

No, Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks?

No, pets are not allowed.

Kundaniwas - Lake Okareka Tiny House, Kayaks Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Madeleine C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay here, it’s the perfect spot for a quiet get away. There is a beautiful view of the lake from the house and access to a path to walk around the lake right across the road. The house itself is clean and had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jenny B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The view over the lake is wonderful and the location is very peaceful. We enjoyed walking the Lake Okareka Walkway which is across the road from the tiny house- about 4km return.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Adam F.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Nice tiny house stay

Enjoyed our stay
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Natalie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful area!

We enjoyed our stay so much. It was just far enough from Rotorua but close enough to explore easily. Everything was clean and well taken care of.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Keith C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place at the end of the lane

Very nice vacation home. We had a lovely stay on the lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andrea G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Spot

Nice little getaway, pretty by the lake and close to town and redwoods.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Seira H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely & cosy tiny home with beautiful views and serene surroundings. Everything you need there. Thank you for hosting us!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Johannah F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little getaway

A great location, with a lovely walk around the lake just across the road. The perfect place to stay as a little getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

peter

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed the bird life and proximity to the lake . Was an ideal location very quirky but very well designed . Also was handy location to the lakes and town .
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Harald S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice stay

Living in a tiny house was new to us.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Rachel W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful views

Cute little tiny home style with stunning views
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Barbara H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House was very clean, everything we needed was there. Some written tv instructions would have been handy.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tucked in

Tiny house was accessible to lake and activities while being very private and hidden in the foliage. Clean, neat, modern. Enjoyed my stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Angie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely spot

This house is small but well kitted out. It is a quiet and comfortable place to stay in a lovely spot looking out over the lake. The hosts responded quickly to any queries we had. We’d stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

ross l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome tiny house

Very well designed small house in prime location. Ideal for 2 people who need a cosy and comfortable, well eqipped hideaway. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Randy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Spot / Beautiful Cabin

We spent a lovely weekend here. The view over the lake from the deck is great - and a great space to enjoy a dinner. We really enjoyed the walking trail around the late. Our second night was clear and the dark skies were amazing. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Okereka Refuge

The location of Kundaniwas was ideal is so many ways. Even though it is close to the adjacent property, it is nestled in the bush so that it has a really private feel to it. The trailhead for Lake Okereka (recommended) is conveniently just across the street. It is just a few minutes from Rotorua, and its many attractions, but apart from the crowd. The house itself is tidy, clean & well laid out. I had a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This really is a lovely little house. So well thought out and extremely well equipped. Clean and comfortable. Be aware the stairs are very steep. Wonderful views over lake Okareka and very quiet. Lake Okareka walkway starts just over the road and heads across the wetlands on a board walk then round the lake. Rotorua is a short drive.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Philip L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Kundaniwas

Overall good stay. The house is very well laid out considering the size of it and has everything you need. It probably needs a spring clean as few cobwebs dusty sills etc if you're wanting something pristine, but all the day to day areas were tidy and clean making it very enjoyable. The birdsong in the morning is incredible and we'd come back and stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Naoki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is an ideal accommodation if you are two, have a car and would like to stay in the area of Rotorua for several days. When you book it, an e-mail will be sent by the owner. Please check your spam folder so as not to miss it. You can enjoy a calm environment surrounded by NZ nature. A 4 km walk around the lake is recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Jorie L.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
The tiny house is pretty cool but it was pretty gross. The house and all of the upholstery- futon, pillows, mattress, duvets, drapes- REEKED of patchouli. It was so strong that even after a few days of airing it out it was still strong. None of the windows had screens either so the offset to getting some fresh air was a bunch of bugs. There was a giant dead moth under the pillow on the bed, spiderwebs everywhere, and a few of the window coverings were broken. The shower drain was also broken. This place needs a deep clean and some maintenance.We ended up both sleeping on the futon and just spent as much time away from it as possible. I asked the property manager to drop off new linens and they told me there were extras in the downstairs bedroom (which we didn’t have access to) and I mentioned that and then they ghosted me. If you like patchouli and bugs…. this place is fine, but otherwise keep looking. It’s too bad because the location was rad and it was a place we were really excited about.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Alva F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning views over lake

The location is great. Stunning views of Lake Ōkareka and a short walk down to the waterside. Easy access to Rotorua. We found the place to be generally clean and tidy but there were a few hairs in the bathroom. We were inundated with ants which managed to get into containers that we thought we sealed. Definitely make sure all food is well sealed or in the fridge. Generally very peaceful and private. Although the owner organised a builder to arrive first thing in the morning, which ruined the sleep in a bit. Still, overall, an enjoyable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Don

Disliked: Cleanliness
The property was ok…not on the lake…overlooks a small parking lot to access trails and limited view of the lake. The place needs some updating…perhaps the price reflects that a bit. Appliances are old, uncomfortable couch/daybed. Had lots of dishes etc but didn’t have a can opener which we needed. The bed also had an old heating pad which started to burn the mattress while we were there!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lucio T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tiny house sur 3 étages (un studio est situé plus bas à l'exterieur) sympathique, bien équipé pour un court séjour. Avec une vue superbe sur le lac Okareka, au pied d'une exceptionnelle promenade autour de ce lac. Le logement est assez petit comme son nom le dit. Attention à l'escalier intérieur qui est assez raide, pas accessible aux personnes ayant des problèmes de locomotion.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amanda P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing experience

Lovely 3 night stay. Perfect place as we were attending a wedding across road at the Estate. Very cute and peaceful Bach, would love to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022