Planning your Stay  

Getting ready for your Nature Retreat.

This is your chance to pause and reconnect with the natural world in one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most extraordinary regions.

Here's what you need to know before booking or arriving—so you can feel fully prepared and enjoy a seamless stay at Creating Balance Nature Retreat.

  • Weather can change quickly here—layers are your best friend for staying comfortable and enjoying the outdoors. Seasonal conditions can vary, so you may wish to have the following handy:

    • Warm jacket

    • Windproof, water-resistant outer layer

    • Thermals

    • Sturdy, broken-in walking shoes or boots

    • Indoor slippers

    • Sunglasses, ocean-friendly sunscreen, and insect repellent

    • Swimwear

    • Beanie and sun hat

    • Torch or headlamp (handy for evening walks)

    • Personal toiletries, supplements, or medication

    • Reusable water bottle

  • As part of the retreat’s ethos, the following are not permitted on the property:

    • Tobacco, vaping products, or illegal substances

    • High-power electrical items (hairdryers, toasters, electric kettles), as these are not suitable for our solar power system

    • Raw meat products (cooking inside the retreat is primarily vegan or vegetarian for hygiene and odour considerations)

    • Pets, parties, candles, incense, and outdoor fires are strictly prohibited

    • We prefer alcohol-free stays; If you choose to bring alcohol, we ask that consumption remains minimal and mindful, in keeping with the retreat ethos of balance and wellbeing

    • Creating Balance Nature Retreat is an adults-only space (25+). The retreat is not suitable for children or infants, or for guests with limited mobility, balance considerations, or accessibility needs.

    • Mobile data coverage is available on the property. There is no Wifi—we highly encourage a digital detox during your stay for deeper renewal.

    • The retreat operates on solar power and rainwater systems. The water is filtered and safe to drink. We ask guests to be mindful of energy use (particularly on cloudy days) and water use during the summer months.

    • We share this land with birds and other wildlife. You’re very welcome to enjoy observing them quietly—without feeding or disturbing them. You may encounter curious critters (such as wētā, insects, or small lizards); they’re harmless and part of the local ecosystem.

    • Check-in is between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Check-out is by 11:00 am.

  • The retreat is thoughtfully furnished for modern comfort, with carefully selected amenities to support a relaxed and restorative stay—including a cosy wood burner, premium dimmable lighting, ample power points, hot running water, a well equipped kitchen, a comfortable queen bed, and a private en-suite bathroom.

    Bedroom

    • Relaxed Foxtrot French Flax bed linen and quilt

    • Premium Eiderdown Hungarian duck down duvet and pillows

    • Peace Lily natural latex mattress topper

    • Wardrobe with hangers

    • NZ wool blankets

    • Organic cotton beach towels

    • Dimmable lighting

    • Black-out blinds

    • Light-filtering blinds

    • Insect screens

    En-suite Bathroom

    • Walk-in shower

    • Ceramic basin

    • Flushing toilet

    • Aotea natural body & hand wash, shampoo, and conditioner

    • Hot water

    • Plush towels

    • Guest essentials

    • Concertina blinds

    • Insect screen

    • Dimmable lighting

    Lounge

    • Private living space with a large glass sliding door opening onto the deck

    • Full-height linen curtain across the glass sliding door to soften the morning light

    • Indoor wood burner

    • Curated selection of books on wellness, yoga, and New Zealand landscapes

    • Eco-yoga mats and props (bolsters, blocks, blankets, eye pillows)

    • Dimmable lighting

    • Light-filtering blinds

    • Insect screens

    Kitchen & Dining

    • Stainless steel countertop with gas hob (3-burner), oven, and grill

    • Refrigerator with small freezer

    • Stainless steel kettle

    • French press coffee maker

    • High-quality cookware, crockery, cutlery, and utensils

    • Coffee and tea mugs

    • Drinking glasses

    • Wine glasses

    • Fair-trade coffee and organic tea blends

    • Essential seasonings (salt and pepper)

    • Dining table & chairs

    • Napkins

    • Tea towels

    • Paper towels

    • Biodegradable cling wrap & baking paper

    • Cleaning products

    • Recycling, rubbish, and compost bins

    • First aid kit

    • Mosquito repellent

    • Smoke alarm

    • Outdoor torch

    • Dimmable lighting

    Private Deck

    • Adirondack-style outdoor loungers

    • Soft exterior lighting on the deck and steps

    • Removable clothesline

    • Umbrella

    • Fire extinguisher

    Garden

    • Surrounding native bush garden

    • Garden seat

    • Lit access steps between parking, deck, and retreat

    Parking

    • Free on-site parking (1 driveway space)

    Included Services

    • Light courtesy cleaning for longer stays (min 7-day stay, 1 hour weekly)

  • Hello—we’re Priyadhara and Atmabhava, your hosts at Creating Balance Nature Retreat.

    We’re both integral yoga and meditation teachers with a long-standing focus on holistic wellness, conscious living, and sustainability.

    Hosting is something we genuinely love—it’s a way for us to share the land we call home with others.

    Creating a welcoming, mindfully curated environment is at the heart of what we do—a space where you can truly lean back, relax, and immerse yourself in nature.

    We enjoy meeting guests on arrival and are always happy to assist or share local suggestions on request, while keeping interactions light, warm, and spacious.

    Living nearby on the property, we’re available if needed, while always respecting your privacy and independence.

    Our friendly Rhodesian Ridgeback may greet you on arrival with enthusiastic barks—he’s always supervised. You’re very welcome to meet and interact with him if you wish, or let us know in advance if you have any concerns about big dogs.

    We look forward to welcoming you to the land!

Booking your stay 


We're looking forward to welcoming you.

To check availability, view full details and rates, or secure your stay, simply reach out—we’ll handle 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.


Getting here 

Getting here is scenic and rewarding. Most guests arrive by car via the stunning Takaka Hill from Nelson. If you’re travelling from further afield, here are some additional options to help you arrive smoothly.

Takaka Airport

Just a 10-minute drive from the retreat.

Golden Bay Air flies scheduled routes:

  • Nelson to Takaka (~35 minutes)—with stunning views over Abel Tasman National Park

  • Wellington to Takaka (~50–60 minutes)—a memorable flight over Marlborough Sounds

Car rentals are available on-site at Takaka Airport (daily or weekly rates)

Book flights and cars at www.goldenbayair.co.nz

Nelson Airport

About 2 hours’ drive from the retreat—with multiple daily flights from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch via Air New Zealand.

Car rentals from major providers are available on-site.

For flight details, go to:

Last-minute essentials


Takaka township, just a 15-minute drive from the retreat, has everything you might need: shops, cafés, art galleries, veggie stalls, a lively Saturday market with local produce and artisan goods, a supermarket, ATMs, and more.

Questions before arrival?


We’re here for you—feel free to reach out anytime! hello@creatingbalance.co.nz | +64 20 414 515 16