SONGBIRD COTTAGE

Private Boutique Cottage in Matakana, North Auckland

Perfect for Bridal Preparations, Small Celebrations, or a Private Getaway Just 1 Hour from Auckland

Songbird Cottage is private, boutique luxury accommodation in Matakana, North Auckland, available for bridal preparations, intimate events, or standalone hire. With charming décor, peaceful garden views, and all the comforts of home, it provides a serene setting for starting your wedding day, your wedding night, or enjoying a relaxing escape, just 1 hour from Auckland city.

 

North facing and within its own idyllic cottage gardens adorned with lavender, olive and fruit trees and all located within large stunning landscaped gardens complete with ponds, walkways and lawns. With a luxurious outdoor bath for two and a large rain shower, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic interlude under the starry skies.

 
 

A boutique getaway home with stylish and elegant English charm – ideal for bridal preparation, wedding nights or for couples embracing some solitude or families wanting to explore the area.

 

BRIDAL PREPARATIONS: Get Ready in Style at Songbird Cottage

Songbird Cottage offers a peaceful and beautifully styled environment for bridal preparations. Surrounded by lush gardens, the cottage provides ample natural light and intimate spaces for you and your wedding party. Our recommended local hair and makeup artists can ensure your morning runs smoothly, while photographers capture every special moment.

Songbird Cottage’s charming interiors and garden provide beautiful backdrops for photos, whether for wedding mornings, small events, or personal retreats. Our recommended photographers know all the best spots to make your memories unforgettable.

Screenshot 2024-12-12 at 9.23.54 AM.png
Kate&Todd-28.jpg
RachelandAdam_-3.jpg
Kate&Todd-227.jpg
Kate%26Todd-242.jpg
Screenshot 2024-10-05 at 4.38.15 PM.png
IMG_5910.jpeg
 

SMALL CELEBRATIONS

Host Intimate Gatherings and Celebrations

Whether it’s a pre-wedding brunch, a small anniversary celebration, or a private family gathering, Songbird Cottage offers versatile indoor and outdoor spaces. The charming cottage and garden setting provide a relaxed, elegant backdrop for your event, and our team can recommend local vendors for catering, florals, and styling.

 
 

Standalone ACCOMMODATION

Enjoy Songbird Cottage as Your Private Getaway

Songbird Cottage is also available for private stays, providing a serene escape just 1 hour from Auckland. Ideal for couples, families, or solo travelers, the cottage offers comfort, privacy, and charming garden views. Experience a boutique retreat in Matakana, with easy access to local wineries, beaches, and artisanal experiences.

 

WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING

  • RELAXING GETAWAY, 2025

    We had the absolute pleasure of staying at this beautiful cottage for two nights, and it was nothing short of magical. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed by the charming atmosphere, breathtaking surroundings, and thoughtful details that made this stay so special.

    The cottage itself is beautifully designed—cozy yet spacious, with a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comforts. Every little touch, from the tasteful decor to the well-stocked amenities, showed the care and effort put into making guests feel at home. The outdoor space was just as incredible, offering peaceful views, fresh air, and the perfect spot to unwind.
    -Breanne

  • FAMILY HOLIDAY, 2025

    My husband and I recently stayed with our 2 children at Songbird Cottage. We had the most wonderful experience and fell in love with the grounds and the peaceful atmosphere. We enjoyed an outdoor bath and quiet times in the swing. Very well equipped and close to walking tracks, swimming and fishing spots and great food and drink. Highly recommend- to couples or a small groups wanting some R&R. -Maryanne

  • MINIMOON, 2025

    Dean was a fantastic host at his idyllic cottage tucked away in Leigh. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere, in our own little garden-oasis—perfect for us newlyweds to decompress after our big day. -Josh

  • TRAVELLERS, 2025

    This stay was perfect in every way. The cottage and surrounding grounds are beyond beautiful, they are idyllic. Comfort is what we crave and comfort with style is what you get by staying here. There is so much to see and do and so many nearby restaurants and cafes, there is no way to do it all in one stay. Along with a comprehensive and detailed information manual that explicitly details the many local points of interest and places to eat, drink, and shop, Dean’s friendly and welcoming demeanour offer a model of what a perfect Airbnb host ought to be. We’ll be back!

  • SongbirdCottage
 

Maximum occupancy
5 people

 

Minimum booking
2 nights

 

Check-in time
 From 4pm (easy self-check-in)

 

Check-out time
10.30am

 

Pets allowed
Up to 2 dogs allowed (rules apply)

 

  • Super king-size bed with ensuite in the master bedroom

  • Luxury linens, towels and bathrobes

  • Complimentary champagne

  • Private outdoor bath with separate rain shower

  • 4.5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens

  • A full-size kitchen and laundry facilities

  • Wood burner for winter weekend getaways

  • Private helipad

Get Packages & Pricing

  • Master Suite (upstairs)

    • Super king-size bed with luxury linens, robes and towels

    • Ensuite with rain shower

    • Insect blinds

    • Drawers, hangers and ample space for luggage

    If you can tear yourself away from the twinkling stars then climb the stairs and sink into a huge super-king sized bed. Every thought has gone into making your sleep perfect with crisp and cool luxury cotton bed linen, plump feather-filled pillows, along with blankets and bedding to suit any temperature.

    With beautifully decorated walls and stylish interiors, this is the room to relax the soul and forget about the real world. The only question will be, whose turn is it to make breakfast in bed?

    An adjoining ensuite with luxury toiletries, rain shower and views across the lawns to the pond, completes this relaxing bedroom suite.

    See Extra Accommodation for more than 2 guests

  • Kitchen

    • Full-size oven with gas hob, fridge and freezer with ice

    • Miele dishwasher

    • Microwave

    • Basic pantry items

    • Crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, serve-ware, utensils etc.

    • BBQ and gas bottle

    For those wanting to cook up a culinary delight the fully equipped kitchen has everything you need including a full-size oven, gas hob and dishwasher.

    Dining is simple: outdoors, outdoors, outdoors! With the sun casting its evening rays through the ancient blue gum tree and an abundance of sweet smellng lavender, this brings ‘dining on the deck’ to a new level of tranquillity and ease. As the night gets cooler, turn on the overhead heaters and snuggle up to enjoy the evening.

    For the full outdoor cooking and dining experience, enjoy canapés and a G&T whilst sinking into the luxury Coast bean bags and if it isn’t too much effort, light up the family-sized Webber gas BBQ and eat and drink wine gathered from your days’ adventures – this is, after all, food and wine Matakana!

    Living Room

    • Large sofa

    • Smart TV and unlimited Wi-Fi

    • Heat and air conditioning pump

    • Wood burner with an endless supply of logs

    For those cosy winter evenings light the dinky wood burner in the living area, with plenty of wood available.

    The cottage is north facing to catch as much of the sunshine and light as possible, but still remains a cool oasis in the heat of the summer months. Of course, the heat pump and air con can make it as perfect as you desire.

    Complete with a large comfy sofa, Smart TV and Wi-Fi, the whole ambience is relaxing, so you can unwind and indulge in comfort.

  • • Washing machine

    • Tumble dryer

    • Outdoor clothes dryer

    • Iron with full-size ironing board

    There is a utility room, hosting a downstairs toilet, washing machine and tumble dryer.

    We allow up to 2 dogs to stay and we provide a kennel for their shade and comfort adjacent to the house. We request that they do not sleep indoors, go upstairs or on the furniture! Please enquire for further information.

    Parking is in abundance, with room for your boat or motorhome! Bring the toys too as the large barn can securely store bikes, kayaks, SUPS, whatever your pleasure. Leigh boat ramp is available to launch from, free of charge, just a 5 minute drive away.

  • Cute ground floor room in cottage

    • Daybed that can be made into a single bed on request

    • Linens, towels and toiletries

    Sleepout - insulated, double glazed, ceiling fan and Wifi (approx. 10 metres from the cottage)

    • 2 x single beds (can be pushed together if requested)

    • Linens, towels and toiletries

    • Sleeps up to two children age 8 plus or 2 adults

    To book more than 2 persons will incur an extra charge per person per night.

    Please note that we do not accept children under 6 years old to stay at Songbird Cottage (for safety reasons as we have large unfenced ponds on the property)

  • For weekend getaways and holiday rental availability please email hello@songbirdretreat.co.nz

    As the new custodians of Songbird Retreat, we’re excited to offer reduced rates. We are currently offering 20% off the pricing below: . Please enquire!

    Usual rates are for 2 persons per night (min 2 nights):

    $550 (low season May to August)

    $650 (high season September to April)

    $750 min. 5 nights Xmas & New Year) min. 3 nights for the full month of January.

    Extra persons are $75 per person per night (max. 3 extra persons). The sleep out will remain locked if you do not book in extra guests.

    An additional one off charge of $200 will be added to your booking for cleaning and linen services

    If you are bringing your furry friend we charge a fee of $60 (to cover the extra cost of cleaning)

    (All prices include gst)

    Please note that we are available to book on Airbnb and Book-A-Bach but prices will vary according to their own additional charges

 
 


exclusive luxury holiday home on the matakana coast

Located ten minutes from Matakana, Songbird Cottage provieds accommodation just an hour from central Auckland, making it an easy escape from the city. Nestled in a tranquil garden setting, it offers privacy and a peaceful environment, perfect for weddings, small celebrations, or relaxing retreats.

Whether you’re preparing for your wedding, hosting a small celebration, or seeking a private getaway in Matakana, Songbird Cottage offers an intimate and beautifully styled accommodation. Contact us to check availability and plan your stay just 1 hour from Auckland.

 
Book Your Stay

Immerse yourself in our slice of paradise, relinquish the stress of your everyday life and melt into the peace and serenity that this magical place has to offer…

 AMENITIES

Enjoy these during your stay

• Outdoor bathroom with a large bath and heated rain shower

• Complimentary bottle of bubbly

• Twinings English Breakfast and Earl Grey teas

• Coffee machine with L’Or pods, ground coffee and instant coffee

• Olive oil, salt, pepper and a selection of dried herbs

• Fruit from the orchard, when in season

• Matakana Botanical toiletries

• Luxury cotton linen and fluffy towels

• White waffle bathrobes

• Hairdryer

• Beach towels & blankets

• Twice filtered and UV treated rainwater

• Double glazing with roll down fly screens (on most windows)

• Ecostore cleaning products

• Wood burner with an endless supply of logs

• Smart TV

• Unlimited Wifi & Boombox

• Family size gas Webber BBQ and gas bottle

• Parking for numerous cars and boats

• Secure storage for outdoor gear

• House book – the insider’s practical guide to Songbird Cottage and the area

• Iron with full-size ironing board

Stunning landscaped gardens for you to meander in and enjoy the birdlife

Reviews

  • “Writing this on the way home from an incredible weekend stay at Songbird Retreat. Even better than the pictures, truly such a peaceful and unforgettable stay here in Leigh. The host has thought of everything you could possibly need during your stay and then gone ahead and added more. The immaculate grounds, the bath under the stars, the tasteful decor and furnishings, the covered heated veranda. We loved every moment of our stay. We were away for a suprise birthday trip and my in-laws joined us and our two small children on the second night. The sleep out was perfect for accomodating them. I cooked a 4 course meal and the kitchen was so well equipped for preparing and serving. Great bush walk to the beach, yummy takeout near by. Our doggo loved it too! Excellent communication throughout the process from Dean, even popping in 5 minutes after me sending a text asking how to change the gas bottle. In every way, top class service. Would definitely book again. Thank you Dean!” - ASHLEIGH (OCT 24)

    “The cottage and surrounding area is just stunning and even more beautiful than the photos! A perfect place for either a tranquil break or as a base for exploring. Everything is in the cottage that you could possibly need and the place was spotless and the white fluffy towels smelt amazing! We will be back!!” - CHANTELLE (OCT 24)

    “Amazing spot, a great place to escape the city. 5 Stars!” - CRISTEAN (NOV 24)

    “We had a fabulous stay at Songbird Cottage. There were so many welcoming little details that we appreciated! We loved the local touches from local food recommendations to the Matakana Cookbook on the coffee table. We had a very hard time leaving and left even more relaxed than we could have imagined. Over the years we have stayed in many different AirBNBs, and this was by far our favourite. We enjoyed the porch all morning, afternoon and evening long with the veranda (it was unseasonably cool and really raining for 1.5 days we were there and we were plenty comfortable outside). The outdoor bath is beyond relaxing and it is amazing to turn off the lights and gaze at the star-filled sky. We loved opening up the windows and listening to the birds sing in the morning. Bring your binoculars, the Songbird gets plenty of bird visitors to observe! We enjoyed the local beaches, snorkelling, and surfing as well as many of the local cafes and restaurants. Leigh may be a small coastal town, but there is plenty to keep you busy!” — BRIAN (FEB 2020)

  • “We absolutely loved our stay at Songbird Cottage! We felt like we had a romantic weekend away, the kids felt like they had a real treat with adventures everyday and we all relaxed completely. We loved the location, the grounds, the gardens, the outdoor tub, the heated deck, the superbly styled space, the fact that every detail had been carefully considered and provided for. We have travelled extensively as a family and this was our favourite place to have stayed by a long shot. We had a wonderful time. I couldn’t recommend it more.”
    — SUSAN (JAN 2020)

  • “What a pleasure to stay here and a true retreat surrounded by bush, silence, bird song and every detail at the the cottage so thoughtful. We loved it. Not to forget also 15mins through spectacular native bush to a beautiful beach, the fun at the Saturday Market and dinner at Rothko & visit to Sculptureum and biking to Omaha. Thank you both so much.”
    — ANN, JOHN & CAROL (MARCH 2020)

  • “An absolutely stunning and relaxing weekend. We had the fire stoked the whole time to keep us snuggly and warm. We toasted marshmallows and enjoyed the outdoor bath on stormy evenings - bliss!! A wonderful winter retreat... we will be back!” — REBECCA & RYAN (JUNE 2020)

  • “What a magical place you have created. After our overseas honeymoon plans had been postponed a mini staycation was just what we needed as newlyweds. Your space forces you to relax, which us Central Aucklanders definitely need reminding of from time to time. Thank you for a wonderful stay. We will be back!” — ALEX & MALORIE (AUGUST 2020)

  • “A wonderful relaxing break – just what we needed. You’ve thought of everything to make things super comfortable & relaxing. Definitely on our list of places to return. Thank you for sharing this lovely spot.”
    — NICOLA & STUART (AUGUST 2020)