Nature Retreat 

Slow down, come into stillness, and return home to yourself.

Creating Balance Nature Retreat offers a contemplative space to unwind, reconnect with yourself, and let nature’s rhythms restore clarity, calm, and inner balance.

The retreat is reserved exclusively for you—no other guests, only you and nature.

Here you'll discover stunning landscapes, birdsong, and expansive views across the ocean and mountains. Beyond the retreat, Golden Bay opens into a vibrant world of beaches, rivers, forests, wild coastlines and valleys—a place to nourish your whole being.

Your nature stay

Whether you seek adventure, a restorative nature escape, or space for yourself, the retreat is yours to shape in your own way, in your own time—catching sunrises from the deck, diving into your favourite book, wandering bush trails, stretching out on expansive beaches, or stargazing under clear night skies.

This is your rare pause—a chance to step away from daily demands and settle into a lighter rhythm.

Interior of a room with a sliding glass door opening to a deck with a lounge chair, trees, and sunset view

Every element of the retreat has been intentionally chosen—balancing modern comfort, sustainability, and simplicity.

What you’ll find:

  • A private 45m² retreat, designed for modern comfort and ease—with everything you need for a deeply restorative stay.

    It has been crafted with permaculture-inspired principles, solar-powered systems, non-toxic materials, and natural, ethically sourced furnishings—for harmony, integrity, and respect for the Earth.

    Natural timber and clay-marble finishes sit alongside panoramic views, creating a seamless connection with the surrounding landscape.

  • Forest views surround the bedroom, greeting you each morning and creating a peaceful setting for deep rest and renewal.

    The queen bed is dressed in intentionally relaxed bedding: a natural latex Peace Lily mattress topper, ethically sourced Foxtrot French Flax linen and quilt, and a luxurious Hungarian duck down duvet and pillows.

    Soft New Zealand wool blankets and organic cotton beach towels are included for your stay.

  • Your private en-suite is a light-filled space—with a large window framing the mānuka trees outside and blinds to soften the afternoon light—featuring a walk-in shower, ceramic basin, and flushing toilet.

    A natural Aotea bath range (body & hand wash, shampoo & conditioner) and plush bath towels are provided for your stay.

  • The lounge offers sweeping ocean and mountain views, with a wood burner for cooler days and a large glass sliding door opening onto the deck.

    A comfortable sofa and armchair are complemented by a curated selection of books on wellness, yoga, and New Zealand’s natural world.

    Warm dimmable lighting throughout creates a soft and calm evening ambience.

  • The kitchen is well equipped with everything needed for self-catering, including a fridge and small freezer, gas hob, oven and grill, French press, kettle, and high-quality cookware, crockery, cutlery, and utensils.

    A dining table overlooks the landscape, with complimentary organic tea blends, Fair Trade coffee, and essential seasonings provided.

  • Eco-mats, bolsters, eye pillows, belts, blocks, and blankets are available for your private use—whenever you feel called to move, stretch, or relax.

  • The private deck opens to wide horizons, with lounge chairs for slow mornings, glowing sunrises, or sunset moments. A small garden seat nestles among native plants—a lovely spot for stargazing on clear night skies.

    Soft exterior lighting illuminates the deck and access path at night.

    Private on-site parking is available at the garden steps.

    Scenic native bush trails begin directly from your door.

  • Deepen your time here with a private one-to-one integral yoga session. We set up the space together within the retreat, and the session is tailored entirely to what you need most.

    Sessions are two hours and include mindful movement and breathwork, closing with either a guided meditation or yoga nidra. They typically take place in the late afternoon—a natural moment to pause and settle before evening.

    No experience is needed, just an openness to the practice.

    $160 NZD—one-to-one—2 hrs

    Simply mention it when you enquire about your stay.

  • This is a peaceful, adults-only retreat (25+), not suitable for children, infants, or pets.

    Smoking, vaping, and substance use are not permitted anywhere on the property.

    We kindly ask that cooking in the retreat remains vegan or vegetarian, in keeping with the ethos of the space.

    For full details on what to bring, what not to bring, and practical tips for your stay, please see our Planning your Stay page.

Take a glimpse

Living room with rattan furniture, wooden ceiling and walls, large windows showing green hills, and a cozy, modern style sofa and armchair with cushions. Plants hanging from a wooden wall.
A small wooden house with a covered porch, two black chairs, surrounded by trees and plants, with a stone and brick staircase leading up to the entrance. A welcome sign is placed at the bottom of the stairs.
Living room with a beige sofa with pink pillows, a small round table, a wooden desk, and windows showing outdoor greenery.
Two wooden shelves on a wall with books and a potted plant. Morning sunlight is coming through the windows.
Living room with a large glass sliding door opening to a deck with outdoor chairs, overlooking a scenic landscape at sunset with trees and open fields.
A wooden console table with a potted plant, a closed book, and a small dish in a room with a large window showing trees outside. The room has wood accents and soft lighting.
Kitchen with a large window showing green hills outside, wooden shelves with bowls, glassware, and small kitchen appliances, gray tile backsplash, wooden cabinets, and a stainless steel sink.
A kitchen with a large window showing trees and sky outside, wooden cabinets, a black tile backsplash, a sink, and a counter with a gas stove.
Cozy kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel countertop, and a window overlooking a scenic landscape with trees; wood-panelled ceiling with premium lighting.
A cozy dining area with wooden flooring and walls, a small round wooden table, two black metal chairs, a white bowl on a black placemat, a window with a view of trees, and a woven pendant light hanging from the wooden ceiling.
A cozy bedroom featuring a large bed with white bedding and pillows, a wooden headboard, and two windows showing greenery outside. The room has wooden accents on the ceiling, window frames, and a small side table, with soft lighting creating a warm a
Two white ceramic vases holding dried flowers and plants, placed on a wooden surface against a light beige wall.
A cozy bedroom with beige walls, a wooden ceiling, and two large windows showing a view of green trees. There is a bed with white bedding and a wooden headboard, a small wooden side table, and black wall-mounted reading lights.
A lush green mountain landscape with trees and foliage in the foreground, and mountains in the background under a clear sky.
View of a bedroom with a wooden sliding door leading to a bathroom, and part of a kitchen visible through an open doorway, in a cozy, rustic home.
Close-up of green fern leaves with sunlight filtering through.
Modern bathroom with a walk-in glass shower, wooden ceiling, and a wooden countertop with a blue ceramic basin and a black faucet.
Wooden door with black sliding hardware, and two wooden shelves on white wall with vases of dried flowers.
A minimalist bathroom with a black ceramic sink on a wooden countertop, a white toilet, a large window with wooden blinds, a round mirror, and neutral-coloured walls and flooring.
Two dark gray Adirondack chairs on a wooden porch overlooking lush green hills and trees at sunset.
A scenic landscape featuring lush green trees and shrubs in the foreground, rolling green hills in the middle ground, and the ocean with a cloudy sky in the background during a clear day.
Two Adirondack chairs on a wooden porch overlooking a lush green mountainous landscape with trees and hills in the distance.
A wooden bench overlooking a lush landscape with trees, shrubs, and a distant view of the water and sky during sunset.
A house situated on a hillside, with a staircase made of stone and wood leading up to it. The house has large glass windows and is surrounded by trees and plants, illuminated by warm lighting, during sunset or early evening.
Solstice mobile photo.jpeg

“Oh my goodness, we truly didn’t want to leave and we would move in tomorrow if we could. Everything is immaculate in this haven of tranquility. Set privately within native bush and with the most incredible, uninterrupted views of land and ocean. This very special place offers guests generous space to catch their breath, rest and explore. The build, design and choice of furnishings are incredibly impressive but more …. Each area has been so carefully considered and the whole comes together giving you a great big comfortable, warm hug from the moment you arrive. Utterly luxurious whilst being environmentally conscious throughout, nothing is lacking …. Hot running water, dimmable lighting, flushing toilets, a cosy wood burner are all here meaning you can settle in and begin your retreat the moment you arrive. We will be back in a heartbeat!”

—Miranda and Phil Hall, Airbnb guest review

A black bird perched on a branch with reddish flowers, with a blurred green background.

Booking your stay

We'd love to welcome you.

Stays are $400 NZD per night. For availability and booking enquiries, simply reach out—we’ll take care of everything for you.

Our Nature Retreat is also listed on trusted platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, though we’re always happy to book directly with you for the most personalised experience.

Get in touch to book

Our philosophy

Creating Balance Nature Retreat grew from more than two decades of living, teaching, and exploring the relationship between nature, wellness, and conscious living. Every aspect of the retreat reflects this journey—from the way the land is cared for to the experience we hope each guest takes home.

Read our story

Exploring Golden Bay

From the retreat, many of Golden Bay’s breathtaking landscapes are just a short drive away, making it easy to immerse yourself in the area’s natural wonders.

  • Trace 19th-century gold-mining trails just around the corner, once scarred by cleared forests, now thriving with lush hills, birdsong, and rich native flora.

    These trails reveal Golden Bay’s history and beauty—a testament to environmental restoration and community-driven conservation efforts.

  • Creating Balance Nature Retreat borders an original wetland, home to rare native bird species—a glimpse into New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.

  • Far from urban glow, clear night skies blaze with the Milky Way on moonless nights, unveiling stars, planets, and constellations—stargaze from your outdoor garden seat in silent wonder.

  • Experience vast ocean views, rolling sand dunes, dramatic rock formations, and seals basking in the sun in one of New Zealand’s most memorable coastal environments.

  • Guided tours allow you to venture into this ecologically significant sand spit reaching into the Tasman Sea, renowned for birdlife and conservation efforts.

  • Witness one of the world’s clearest freshwater springs—a sacred taonga to local Māori, revered as wāhi tapu (sacred place).

    A short bush walk winds through native forest to reach the springs, adding to the site's natural beauty.

  • Discover a thriving coastal reserve blending native and exotic trees. You’ll find winding bush trails through regenerating forest, alive with birdsong—a true conservation success story.

  • Stroll along this quiet beach with clear turquoise waters and panoramic views across Golden Bay—a wide-open stretch of coastline that feels like your own private sanctuary.

  • Challenge yourself with a hike offering sweeping vistas of Golden Bay, Takaka Valley, and the Kahurangi National Park through beech forests and subalpine vegetation.

  • Explore the northern end of this iconic Great Walk—just about a 1-hour drive from the retreat.

    It’s ideal for rewarding day hikes through native beech forests, mossy gorges, waterfalls, and mountain views.

    The full track (4–5 days) also reveals unforgettable coastal scenery further south, with nīkau palms, beaches, and the rugged Tasman Sea.

Get in touch

If you have any questions before booking, or would like to learn more about a stay at our Nature Retreat—we'd love to hear from you.

begin a conversation