When you holiday in the accommodation on Arapawa Island you are taken back to another time, a simpler time, where the values of family and friendship make every day special. Access to the Island is by boat or water taxi for the fifty-minute trip. You can also book the mail boat cruise from Picton, twice a week on Tuesday and Friday. For an impromptu or extra special trip from Wellington, you could always indulge in a helicopter ride.
The Radon family offers you a unique trio of experiences, legendary eco-friendly hospitality, and accommodation. Share their 360 hectares of panoramic views, enjoy outdoor recreation, and a learning experience like no other. Take a Pearl Tour and see how the pearl gets from paua seed to breathtaking jewellery. But most of all, step back in time in the historic accommodation, breathe in the sea air, and relax.
At Arapawa Blue Pearls and Accommodation you will find three distinctive ‘kiwi bach’ style options. Choose the one right for you for a family holiday, indulge in a romantic getaway, or book the exclusive use of all three options for a special group occasion.
Little Colonsay Beach House
Dreaming of having your own private beach? The latest addition to our accommodation is a modernized beach house so close to the beach that you can hear the waves and smell the salt air. This is what a true kiwi bach experience is all about. A short stroll to the beach and you can dip your toes in the water. Little Colonsay Beach House was built in 1952 for the engineer at Perano whaling Station, David Cormack, who helped to design and build the large, metal, cylinder shaped tanks used for delivering the whale oil to Picton. These tanks remain at the whaling station site today.
This sunny abode gets all-day sun, even in the winter. A self-contained beach house that sleeps 12 people, it has two queen size beds, one double bed, and six single beds, along with a separate sleepout. The kitchen has a large electric oven with a gas stove top, a microwave, and a dishwasher, but you may prefer to cook on the Webber BBQ. The separate laundry has a washing machine and a dryer. Recent additions of a new bi-fold door and a sliding door, opening from the lounge onto the deck, make this the perfect place to relax near the sea. The sleepout located behind the house includes an extra-large shower, designed for divers and their wetsuits, and two new toilets with a double hand basin.
Little Colonsay Beach House is pet-friendly, subject to approval prior to your arrival.
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PS! We do have small to large tour groups come out to our bay and see our Aquaculture facilities and will NEED to use the toilets at the sleep out when such groups come along. Before and afterwards we will clean the bathrooms, and it should be a minor inconvenience (tours last no longer than two hours and are usually around noon). If tours are planned, we will give you notice ahead of time about any groups coming along and will do our best not to interrupt your peace and privacy.
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Take a Pearl Tour with your stay:
The Foundation Tour $30 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
The Luxury Tour $60 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
LITTLE COLONSAY BEACH HOUSE
Maximum capacity: 12 guests
Bedroom 1 : 1 x queen bed
Bedroom 2 : 1 x double bed, 2 x single beds
Sleepout : 1 x queen bed, 2 x sets of bunk beds
Couples Discount (Febuary - November)
$200 per night for two adults.
Summer (October- May inclusive)
$465.00 per night for up to five people.
$22.00 per night for each for each additional person.
$50.00 for each pet (pets subject to prior approval).
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
Off Season (June – September inclusive)
$420.00 up to 5 people.
$22.00 per night for each additional person.
$50.00 per night for each pet. (Pets subject to prior approval).
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
One night's payment confirms your booking. Guests must clean the house prior to departure and leave it in the same condition in which it was found. Cleaning products and equipment are supplied. If you prefer, we can provide this service with cleaning fee of $150. All linen, bedding, blankets and towels are supplied so that you don't need to bring any. Dinghy use is included in the tariff. One night’s payment confirms your booking. All prices include GST.
Gunyah
The Arapawa homestead invites you to step back in time. Known as Gunyah, it is the original house built in 1945 by Joe and Patty Perano as their retirement home. Refurbished to retain its 1940’s character, the homestead is fully equipped for your convenience. It is private and cosy. Gunyah is an Australian Aboriginal name meaning sheltered spot or sacred spot. The homestead is in a sheltered location so any invigorating winds from the sea will not find you there. Gunyah sleeps up to 13 people and includes a fold-out bed and a cot for younger children.
The main bedroom is furnished with an antique walnut bedroom suite that includes a double bed with a feather duvet, and a single bed for an extra guest. This room offers wide, sweeping views of Tory Channel and the West Head. The second bedroom contains two sets of single bunks with duvets. This room also has a stunning ocean view, overlooking the manicured lawn. Gunyah has extra, separate accommodation comprising a queen-size bed, two sets of single bunks, plus a shower and a toilet. This ‘sleepout’ doubles as the laundry, with sinks, a washing machine, and a dryer. The sleepout has a spacious wooden deck that catches the afternoon sun. There is also a small fridge for your convenience.
The main bathroom in the homestead has a deep comfortable bath, with a separate toilet. This historic house has full amenities with everything you need for a comfortable stay. In the kitchen you will find modern appliances, including a microwave oven, fridge/freezer, a bread maker, and a Webber BBQ. The living area has a wood burner, ideal for those cold winter nights, and a sound system to play favourite music from your mobile devices. The views feature a never-ending stream of ferries that travel between Picton and Wellington. A friendly wave from the island always delights those travelling on the ferry.
Gunyah is pet-friendly, subject to prior approval before your arrival.
Take a Pearl Tour with your stay:
The Foundation Tour $30 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
The Luxury Tour $60 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
GUNYAH
Maximum capacity: 13 guests
Bedroom 1 : 1 x double bed 1 x single bed
Bedroom 2 : 2 x sets of bunk beds
Sleepout : 1 x queen bed, 2 x sets of bunk beds
Couples Discount (Febuary - November)
$200 per night for two adults.
Summer (October – May inclusive)
$365.00 per night up to five people.
$22.00 per night for each additional person.
$50.00 per night for each pet (Pets subject to prior approval).
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
Off Season (June-September inclusive)
$300.00 per night up to five people.
$22.00 per night for each additional person.
$50.00 per night for each pet (Pets subject to prior approval before you arrival).
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
One night's payment confirms your booking. Guests must clean the house prior to departure and leave it in the same condition in which it was found. Cleaning products and equipment are supplied. If you prefer, we can provide this service with cleaning fee of $150. All linen, bedding, blankets and towels are supplied so that you don't need to bring any. Dinghy use is included in the tariff. One night’s payment confirms your booking. All prices include GST.
School Cottage
Immerse yourself in another era. School Cottage is the remodeled school where the whaler’s children were educated. Carefully renovated to retain its history, it has been repurposed for accommodating guests and remains an important piece of the rich history of this area. This cozy self-contained little nook sleeps six. There is one set of double bunks and one set of single bunks. There is a fold-down bed for an extra person.
School Cottage features open plan living, a gas hob, and microwave, Webber BBQ. Freezer space is available. To maintain the integrity and history of the school building, the cottage has separate shower and toilet facilities. The detached laundry has both a washing machine and a clothes dryer. A log burner for heating. Also a private deck with surrounding panoramic views.
School Cottage is pet-friendly, subject to approval before your arrival.
Take a Pearl Tour with your stay:
The Foundation Tour $30 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
The Luxury Tour $60 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
Summer (October to May inclusive)
$235.00 up to six people per night.
$22.00 per night for each additional person if extra camping is required.
$50.00 per night for each pet (pets subject to prior approval).
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
Off Season (June to September inclusive)
$210.00 up to six people per night
$22.00 per night for each additional person if extra camping is required.
$50.00 per night for each pet (pets subject to approval prior to arrival).
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
One night's payment confirms your booking. Guests must clean the house prior to departure and leave it in the same condition in which it was found. Cleaning products and equipment are supplied. If you prefer, we can provide this service with cleaning fee of $150. All linen, bedding, blankets and towels are supplied so that you don't need to bring any. Dinghy use is included in the tariff. One night’s payment confirms your booking. All prices include GST.
Enjoy the sun, the beach, and the views from this well-appointed cottage.
Exclusive Use
Looking for an idyllic spot for an event, a family reunion, perhaps even for a wedding? You have found it here. We are offering the full and exclusive use of all of the Arapawa Blue Pearls accommodation. You can sleep 31 people across our range of accommodation options. The Arapawa Homestead, Little Colonsay House, Gunyah, and the School Cottage are available together for group functions.
Take a Pearl Tour with your stay:
The Foundation Tour $30 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
The Luxury Tour $60 per person for this tour, if you are already staying in our accommodation.
Summer (October-May inclusive)
$1000.00 up to 31 people.
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
Off-Season (June-September inclusive)
$1000.00 up to 31 people.
$30.00 per night if you require a boat mooring. Just let us know when you are booking what kind of vessel you have.
(note: boats are not to be tied to the wharf overnight)
Dinghy use is included in the tariff. One night’s payment confirms your booking. All linen is supplied. All prices include GST.
For all accommodation options, you will need to bring your own supplies and clothing to the Island. There are no roads in or out nor shops at hand. You can order your groceries from the mainland. The two supermarkets we order through are: