Caretakers Cottage
Located in Matiu/Somes Island in the Wellington/Kapiti region
Introduction
The historic Caretakers Cottage on Matiu/Somes Island is ideal for families or groups.Access
- Boat
Occupancy
- Sole
Facilities
- Heating - electric
- Kitchen - fully equipped
- Shower - hot
- Toilet - flush
Image gallery
Features
Caretakers Cottage is in a unique rodent free scientific and historic reserve and has stunning harbour views. Fall asleep to the sound of little blue penguins calling around the house and geckos scrambling the walls.
The house is decorated with artwork from the residency project Matiu Somes: The Next Chapter. Art in the house is from Wellington artists Inge Doesburg, Stanley Palmer, Jo Oglier, Lynn Taylor, Basia Smolnicki, Stephen Robinson and Ben Reid.
Facilities
- Sleeps nine people in three rooms: four single bunk beds in one room, a single and a double bed in one room, and a queen bed in one room.
- Bed linen: sheets are not supplied. Bring your own pillowcase, sheets and blankets or sleeping bag. Mattress protectors and pillows are provided.
- Flush toilet.
- Shower with solar hot water.
- Centralised heat pump.
- Power is provided by renewable resources, wind turbine and solar panels. We ask users to be considerate with consumption and contact the rangers if you have special requirements. Heating is available when island power production permits.
- Fully equipped kitchen: small fridge, gas four-ring hob and oven, toaster, pots, pans, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, solar hot water.
- Outside facilities: A large private flat lawn with a picnic table and a gas BBQ.
- Water is not suitable for drinking, boil before use.
Fees
The fees are per night for up to nine people.
Weekend (Friday or Saturday night): $250 per night
Weekday (Sunday to Thursday): $200 per night
Bookings
2023/24 bookings
Bookings for 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 will open in 2023. The opening date will be announced on this page in late March 2023.
All bookings operate on a first-come first-served basis. We do not operate waiting lists for bookings for future seasons, or currently booked-out facilities.
Bookings are open for stays between 1 October 2022 to 30 June 2023.
A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.
You can get to Matiu/Somes Island on the scheduled ferry service which runs between Queens Wharf and Days Bay seven days a week.
We highly recommend groups of more than 20 people, and those staying overnight, book a place on the ferry. In severe weather conditions one or both ferries can be cancelled.
If you plan to arrive by private boat or kayak, find out about the rules for landing on the island.
Overnight visitors
The last sailing times to the island for overnight visitors are:
Monday – Friday
- From Queens Wharf: 2 pm, arriving at Matiu/Somes Island at 2.25 pm
- From Days Bay: 1.45 pm, arriving at Matiu/Somes Island at 2 pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
- From Queens Wharf: 2 pm, arriving at Matiu/Somes Island at 2.30 pm
- From Days Bay: 1 pm, arriving at Matiu/Somes Island at 1.15 pm
For earlier sailing times, visit the scheduled ferry service timetable.
- Leave the house clean and tidy (toilet paper and cleaning materials are provided).
- Take all your rubbish/recycling with you and remove it from the island.
- Pets are not permitted on Matiu/Somes.
- Cycling is not permitted on the Island for the safety of all visitors. Bikes may be locked at the wharf.
- The island has a complete fire ban. During the dry summer months the island can be closed due to extreme fire risk which may affect your booking.
- Smoking is only permitted at the wharf, 10 minutes walk from the house.
All groups must let the island staff know the arrival time of their ferry so that staff can assist once they land. Also let them know your expected landing time in kayaks.
Contacts
| Kapiti Wellington Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 4 384 7770 |
| Email: | wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
18 - 32 Manners Street Wellington 6011 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 10420 The Terrace Wellington 6143 |
| Full office details | |
