I honestly don’t know where to even start on this one. My 23rd birthday could not have been more perfect if I’d tried. It began with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon at The Great Ponsonby Art Hotel and ended with Prosecco and peanut butter chocolate in a rose petal bath in the middle of paradise at Magic Cottages, Takou River.

Four days ago now, I landed in Auckland, New Zealand to begin my 10-day itinerary with Tourism New Zealand, uncovering the beauty and adventure that the North Island has to offer.

Just moments after landing, I had already dived head first into adventure with a 192m jump off the iconic Auckland Sky Tower. This was followed, the next day, by the departure for a 4-day road trip exploring the Northland (the bit above Auckland).

Road trips, as you know, are my absolute favourite, so not only was I excited to get cracking… it had fallen on my birthday too!

A two and a half hour drive north from Auckland had us arrive in Paihia for midday. From here we had the most gorgeous combination of seafood and elderflower cocktails on the pier at Charlotte’s Kitchen, before hopping on the ‘Hole in the Rock’ dolphin cruise around the Bay of Islands.

See my full road trip itinerary here.

EXPLORE MORE OF NEW ZEALAND ON MY BLOG HERE

Moving onto the star of this blog post…

My stay at Magic Cottages, Takou River

Located a 30-minute drive north of Paihia, we arrived to the absolute bliss of Magic Cottages, Takou River, where Anna and Ian have created the most beautiful collection of riverside retreats.

Our lodge was secluded in the forest by the river, with no sound or distraction in sight but the odd splash of a fish and the birds in the trees. I cannot explain how calming, peaceful and restorative our stay was.

I fell asleep to one of the clearest, starriest skies I’ve ever seen in my life. It was so starry, in fact, the first glance made me tear up. I woke to the sound of the birds and the colours of a perfect sunrise peeping through our tent.

I was snap-happy and pumped with adrenaline from the moment I set foot in our dreamland, until the very moment I left, so I’m going to let the visuals do the talking on this one…

Here’s my photo diary from Magic Cottages, Takou River…

Honestly, I fell in love with this bucket list accommodation. If you fell in love through the photos as much as I think you will have… then add it to your bucket list and get yourself booked into this paradise.

Magic Cottages, Takou River have a few lodges to choose from, along with the glamping we opted for. You can see all the options and get in contact here.

Have you visited Magic Cottages, Takou River?

What did you think? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring,

Mollie.

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