What our customers say

Stunningly beautiful place to stay with the most wonderful hosts. Janene and Dave have made sure the cabin is stocked with everything to make your stay comfortable (the most well-stocked fridge and the most extensive and helpful guidebook of any place we’ve ever stayed)

The icing on the cake… this is paradise! The attraction of an off grid log cabin with no phone, no internet and no TV but also with open fireplace and outdoor baths was too good to refuse….as well as only a short drive from Dunedin! Thoroughly recommend Cascade Creek Retreat for those that want to get away from it all….but also do it in luxury

Incredible Luxury Retreat Run By Lovely People – What More Could You Want? It is set in the most beautiful surroundings imaginable. Set on the side of a hill overlooking a gully and surrounded by a combination of farmland and native forrest, it is truly a haven of peace and tranquility. The accomodation itself is a hand crafted wood cabin, rustic but finished to a high spec, with all the creature comforts that I could have asked for.

The cabin had everything we were hoping for. No disappointments here. Gorgeous setting, roaring fire, tranquil birdsong, stunning deck and perfect place to unplug from electronics and reconnect as a family. We stayed with our kids 10 and 12 plus my elderly parents.

Words really can’t describe how fabulous Cascade Creek is…you really have to experience the tranquillity and beauty yourself…if you are after somewhere to indulge yourself and reconnect with nature or your partner then this is the place to go… gorgeous outdoor baths with only the Bellbirds, Tuis and Kereru for company…perfect for a romantic getaway, no wifi or tv…perfect!

Awesome wedding Anniversary. Location was everything we dreamed of, totally private with everything you need for a memorable stay. The log fire, hammock and outdoor baths are just the best, the outdoor laundry is very cool too. Have already recommended to friends and family.

Thank you for the most perfect getaway. We were completely blown away by the cabin as soon as we got out of the car and approached it- such a feeling of awe. Amazing spot, loved the sheep. Loved the fire, having a hot bath under the stars, an adventurous walk and all of the amenities provided were completely amazing. Absolute highlight of our NZ trip – we will be back one day!

“Loved the outside baths, soaking in the rain under umbrellas! Very romantic…”

This is an incredible place to stay. The feedback is 100% justified. JUST. WOW. We will be back again, and again. Thank you for having us here! Our time here was very special: The walks are picture perfect, and the log cabin is what we’ve dreamed of for many years, thanks!

Secluded luxury in the heart of a New Zealand sheep farm. What a wonderful night we had at this completely secluded and beautiful cabin near a bush-filled gully on a 4000acre sheep farm. Our little children were charmed by the cabin, birdsong and outside bath. They slept soundly to the sound of the crackling log fire. A beautiful spot for my husband and I to unwind once they were asleep- wine , board games, leather couches and a beautifully appointed king bed upstairs. Love the luxury furnishings and little touches of hospitality. We were charmed by all the little lambs skipping around as we drove in and out through the farm! Highly recommended.

Stop looking. You’ve found it. Staying in this beautiful log cabin for 3 nights was the highlight of our 12 day NZ adventure. From the moment I first enquired, the service provided was amazing. Janene was incredibly helpful and welcoming at every turn. When our stay finally arrived, my partner and I were extremely excited. We were a little nervous that perhaps we’d set our expectations unreasonably high, but we needn’t have worried – it was everything we had hoped for and more!.... We found a book on the dining table which documented the construction of Cascade, and reading this gave us an even greater appreciation for what Janene and Dave have created.

What a fantastic location and absolutely charming hosts. Everything about the place is just so wonderful- the log cabin is set on a beautiful location with amazing views. The cabin has everything you will need and most of all the sense of tranquillity. It’s a great holiday place to relax but also to get around and sightsee as we did. We travelled to Dunedin during the day which was about an hour’s drive. My kids thoroughly enjoyed their stay here and have asked us if we could go back later this year! The kids’ loved the visit to the farm, a ride on the Quad bike, walks to see the sheep and enjoyed a warm bath in the outdoor tub. We had a “Dine In’ dinner which was just lovely with great service. Our hosts, Dave and Janene are ever so charming and hospitable. They made us feel more than comfortable and our stay extra special. We had such a beautiful experience here that we can’t stop telling our friends and family about the place.

Heaven is a place on Earth. The log cabin is totally secluded and private. The views are just breathtaking. One of my lifetime time goals was to stay in a log cabin and Cascade Creek Retreat went way beyond my expectations – the attention to detail was amazing. Total luxury. As for the hosts and service – absolutely fantastic- make you feel like old friends. Absolutely the best place to go for a quiet romantic break. Have already rebooked to back again this year. Loved everything about it- Total Heaven!

Simply spectacular. So, if you’re like me, you’ll see the other five-star reviews on this website and feel slightly skeptical. You’ll think “sure, it must be good, but it can’t be that great.” If, like me, you’re thinking that- I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong. Cascade Creek Retreat is most thoroughly deserving of its five-star rating. Like the others have noted, the location is terrific, the log-cabin perfectly constructed and the amenities just wonderful. Its remoteness means that you can truly connect with your surroundings and experience the relaxation that comes with that connection. If that’s all Cascade Creek was however, then it would simply be a wonderful place to stay. What makes it spectacular is the hosts’ generosity and hospitality – their sheer thoughtfulness is quite breathtaking. Quite simply: stay here. Experience this. It’s far more wonderful than any five-star review could convey

Disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with loved ones! My husband and I were blown away by how beautiful the cabin is. Yes, it is very secluded and lovingly built by hand, but still had many touches of luxury. The bed was as clean and comfortable as a 5 star hotel, and the towels and robes as well. The fixtures and furniture are all top class, and the outdoor bathtub was amazing. All this, plus personal, thoughtful touches like the fireplace already being set up with kindling, marshmallows to toast over the fire, board games, candles, magazines, CDs etc. We ordered a BBQ box of food to cook ourselves. The grill and kitchen are modern and high quality so this was easy and relaxing for us. We loved that the place is solar- powered with an emphasis on being eco-friendly, but there is a backup generator and plenty of instantly hot water. There’s even a filtered water tap. As non-Kiwis, we were initially confused and a little concerned about the location. Nearest town of Milton doesn’t have a lot to offer visitors. If you’re looking for a convenient base to visit a tonne of tourist attractions, it’s may not be the best location. But what we wanted was to hole up somewhere really secluded and beautiful- so it turned out to be absolutely perfect. I’d recommend you stock up on supplies like snacks, drinks, foods etc. – once you are at the cabin you won’t want to leave! We enjoyed just listening to the wind and the birds, and breathing in the Manuka aroma from the native bush. Great hiking trails right out the door too! In conclusion, it was so wonderful to spend time in a place that is so clearly hand-crafted with love and designed by people who understand high-end eco-travel. Pure romance!

“Exceeded all expectations…”Cascade Creek was the perfect setting and experience for what I was looking for, in fact, it exceeded my expectation in every way. Right from the get go the experience was simple, straight forward, personal, and friendly. After I got the initial booking taken care of online, I got personal email confirmation assuring me that everything was done and that my booking was complete. Then in the lead up to my stay I got another email making sure I was comfortable with the directions, check in procedure and with the facilities that would be provided, not an automated email, but a personal email from Janene, who along with her Husband Dave owns the retreat. It was personal touches like this that really highlighted for me that we were in for something special. When my wife and I got to the retreat we were stunned. It is set in the most beautiful surroundings imaginable. Set on the side of a hill overlooking a gully and surrounded by a combination of farmland and native forrest, it is truly a haven of peace and tranquility. The accomodation itself is a hand crafter wood cabin, rustic but finished to a high spec, with all the creature comforts that I could have asked for. The stay is essentially self catered so everything you need in terms of cooking facilities were provided, gas stove top and oven, microwave, and BBQ for cooking, coffee machine, all cutlery plates etc. We never once thought 'boy we wish we had..." or "I wish they had thought to put one of those here'. We simply had everything we needed provided for us. Although the retreat is self catered there are a number of options available for food to be supplied for you to cook, or even for your own personal chef to come to you and cook for you in the retreat. Some highlights of the stay for us included enjoying the walks that lead from the retreat through native bush to a beautiful waterfall, or through rolling farmlands and stunning scenery. We even went down to the waterfall at night to be serenaded by the twinkling lights of glow worms. Along side the strong emphasis on the 'personal touch' Cascade Retreat has a caring eco friendly ethos. The retreat itself is powered by a combination of solar and hydro power. … I could bleat on forever about how great this experience was and how well looked after we were by Janene and Dave but we would all be here forever, so let me finish here with a simple encouragement. If you are looking for something special, a romantic get away or time to relax with friends and loved ones, book Cascade Creek, it's a great place run by lovely people, and not only will you not regret it, but you will find yourself sitting on review websites waxing lyrical about how great the stay was, not simply because it's true, but because you will want other people to experience this amazing place and the lovely folk who own it. “”

First, the cabin itself is absolutely beautiful (and the fact that Dave and Janene built it themselves makes it even more impressive) and so incredibly comfortable that you just don't want to leave (we wish we could live there). We had rain for most of our 5 day stay which normally would be rather disappointing, but we had such a lovely and fun time in the cabin, we ended up being glad that it rained so much! Janene and Dave have made sure the cabin is stocked with everything to make your stay comfortable (the most well-stocked fridge and the most extensive and helpful guidebook of any place we've ever stayed). In addition to the amazing accommodations, Janene and Dave are two of the most gracious people you will ever meet. They are so thoughtful about making sure they don't disturb your privacy, but on the other hand are incredibly helpful and generous with their time. Their farm is situated near so many great outdoor activities and they gave us great advice about different outings. They were so sweet and kind to our 9 year old daughter and she continues to talk about our stay at Cascade Creek as one of the best experiences of her life. We are already trying to figure out a way to go back!

Truly awesome environment - highly recommended. Just spent four nights at this gorgeous log cabin in a valley of birdsong. Very few places in NZ that such an experience can be had. The rainy day had us curled up with books in front of the log fire - the next day brilliant and sunny we sat outside and marvelled at the beauty that surrounded us and the birdsong that echoed around all day. An inspired idea to create this special place on their farm. Highly recommended very special place

a little taste of luxury in a little slice of paradise Staying 3 nights in the lovely cabin truly is the high light of our travel to NZ. The moment i stepped on the deck of the cabin i felt like everything i saw from the picture before i made the reservation became real and whats even better is i could finally experience the idea of "home away from home". its definitely hands down the best place i have ever stayed. What we never expected is the owner came by with a plate of home made cookie to see if we were comfortable and warm as it snowed in the morning. i am saying could you guys be any more thoughtful for your guests? I'd love to come back to the lovely cabin one day. The only thing i am hoping is it can be longer than 3 nights. Thank you Janene and Dave you really made our travel wonderful

my most favourite place on earth The resort is an incredible combination of luxury and wilderness. Its one of the most remote places I have ever stayed but the hosts are immeasurably great at thinking of your every need. the detail and love put into this place is quite incredible. You can feel it when you stay here and that alone makes the stay memorable. It truly is my favourite place

Serenity and Seclusion - Paradise! We absolutely loved our stay at Cascade Creek Retreat. Our only regret is that we didn't book it for longer! From the outdoor bath overlooking the mountains, the warmth and comfort of the open log fire, the little touches, sheridan robes and linen, the little walking tracks the charming interior (and exterior) of the chalet and the breathtaking surrounds, they have thought of everything! Cooking facilities were also great! A pleasant drive from Dunedin and well worth the trip. An experience of a lifetime. Loved!

The perfect 'home away from home' Christmas chalet. We showed up on the 23rd of Dec., after tramping the Routeburn Track for three days. After camping in cold and wet conditions, and driving across the island we were anxious to get to more comfortable quarters. We were greeted buy a real Christmas tree completely decked out as well as a thoughtful gift from Janene and Dave under the tree. The chalet was everything we'd hoped for and then some. It was stocked with everything you would need and we only went out to buy our food. They have continental breakfast cereals, yogurt and fresh fruit to accommodate the amount of guests and for the number of days booked as well as the essentials in the fridge. They are generous with everything provided and go out of their way to make you feel at home. There was a Tui that sang everyday in a tree just next to the patio and we all took turns in the outdoor bath, under the stars. The book describing the building of this dream chalet is very interesting as well as the comments from previous guests. It made us feel we were part of the place, and we really, really loved it! Thanks, and Kudo's to Janene & Dave