Harakeke, supreme among Bookabach Bach of the Year 2024's broad range of "little houses".
The winners of New Zealand’s Bach of the Year awards 2024 have been announced - and they are a diverse bunch.
Bach is a uniquely Kiwi term for a holiday home. With its sense of being modest and understated, some claim it comes from the Welsh Tŷ Bach, meaning “little house”. Today, though, it’s a word mostly used by Welsh-speaking people as a euphemism for WC or “outhouse”.
Kiwis have taken their baches in a different direction. The only embarrassment Kiwis face is quite how deluxe these “little houses” are.
New Zealand’s little houses could describe any sort of scenically appointed home-from-home - a cabin in the bush or a six-bedroom high-country pad. As a term it’s grown to encompass a wide range of tastes - and so have the Bach of the Year winners, chosen from 12,000 properties on the Bookabach website.
There’s no mistaking these winners for a bush toilet.
In its 13th iteration, the annual Bookabach competition has whittled down the listings to properties with ratings of 4.5 stars or higher and amenities you won’t find anywhere else.
This year’s Top 10 include a ski lodge, beachfront cabins and unique escapes across the country.
Sarah King - judge and travel expert for the website - agrees this year’s collection showcases the amazing diversity of Aotearoa’s landscape.
“What stands out to me is the variety in this year’s Bach of the Year – from outdoor spas and outdoor fireplaces to a gym, sauna, and alfresco outdoor dining with breathtaking views,” says King.
Ultimately, though, it was the setting that was make-or-break for these houses in the great outdoors.
Otago dominated the results with four out of the top 10 spots, and is the only South Island region to feature in the judges’ shortlist.
Speargrass Lodge on the plains outside Queenstown was a standout for a big group of guests - sleeping up to 10 - sited halfway between Cardrona and the local skifields and with plenty of activities to share in.
However, the top six lodgings were all in the North Island.
In Raglan, an eco-friendly and scenically appointed property on Byron Hill was elevated well above any associations you might have of the backcountry bach. The bach sleeps up to eight with views of the famous surf coast.
Ultimately, it was a secluded Kāpiti Coast property called Harakeke that took the number 1 slot. A retro-feeling escape with plenty of modern comforts, the beach house with views of Kāpiti Island might be the closest to anything you’d consider a classic Kiwi bach.
Tim Rosolio, vice-president of partner success for Bookabach, says the spectacular properties would not be the same without the hosts who have designed and leased them.
“We have incredible partners on our platform and this list of properties really raises the bar.”
With this year’s winners’ nightly rates ranging from $350 to $3100, Bookabach says they offer something for everyone’s price range.
There’s no need to sleep in the outhouse.
