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Just next to the iconic Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, Barnacle Bills is nestled in a flower garden onlooking the towering Mt Fyffe to the left and the glistening waters of the Pacific Ocean to your right. Both the Cottage and the Lodge are ideal for families, couples and groups seeking sunshine, mountain air and the fresh breeze of the sea. Our goal at Barnacle Bills is to offer you the finest combination of peace and quiet, cosy family fun and that much desired, ""home away from home"" feel. In each self contained accommodation there are fully equipped kitchens, plentiful freezer and fridge, flat screen TV, electric blankets on each bed as well as electric heating. Extensive relaxing area both inside and outside as well as free wireless internet, dvds, books, board games and plenty of off street boat and car parking is provided as well.
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10 people, three days. A fabulous location and plenty of spaces and beds to accommodate 8 adults (3 couples, two singletons) and 2 teenagers. Great cooking facilities and a lovely break. Close to facilities, and the Tom's track walk is a good workout for those so inclined.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a lovely 3 night stay in the lodge at Barnacle Bills. The hosts were super helpful and friendly. The house was immaculately clean and the beds extremely comfortable. We had everything we needed and more. Loved the seaside decor and the atmosphere of the house was lovely and cozy yet modern. Would definitely return. Thanks so much for having us hopefully we will see you again!
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had 2 nights at Barnacle Bills cottage and would have stayed longer if time allowed. The cottage is extremely comfortable and very well appointed, everything we could possibly need. The views of the ocean and the snow covered mountains were breathtaking, magnificent walking tracks for those so inclined or only a short drive to the town centre. Liz is a very friendly host and shared tips on the local area.
Sitting out on the deck admiring the view and looking at Liz’s garden is definitely a wonderful way to spend some time.
Thanks Liz
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Date of stay: October 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barnacle Bill was a well-known diver around Kia Koura. He built this place especially for diving groups or other people who want to explore the coastline and enjoy the many fruits of the sea. (It is featured on this gastro vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGACbn7dyX0.)
The place has two units. We stayed in the “bunk house”. This can accommodate up 12 people (as along as some of them are happy to share!) In addition to the bunkroom, there is large lounge with a monster wood heater, pool table and large kitchen table. It also includes freezes and fridges that will easily cater for any size groups. The second unit is a two-bedroom cottage.
Liz, Bill’s widow, is a keen gardener with her efforts on display around both units. There are also BBQs, crayfish pots and the outdoor wood stove as featured in the video available for use.
By road it is a few kilometers out of town but there is walking track directly into town that gets you there in about 10 minutes and in the centre of town in about 20. The walking track is part of Kia Koura Peninsula walking track. This is a 2-3 hour walk and well worth the effort.
The accommodation is basic but comfortable (my bed was one of the better ones I had on this trip). You will find Liz a friendly and helpful host. Value for money wise you will struggle to do better.
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Date of stay: October 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Run by a very friendly and helpful host, Barnacle Bills has a a cottage and lodge next door to each other. We stayed in the smaller cottage that sleeps 5 in 2 bedrooms.
Comfortable and well equipped accommodation. Large open plan living, dining and kitchen that almost felt too large for two people as wasn't very cosy. I didn't much care for the decor, especially the cork wall, but I guess that's a personal thing. The bed was comfortable, which is one of the most important things.
Location is peaceful, above the town and pretty much on the peninsula walkway, which is handy. However, it should be noted there are no amenities within walking distance. Nice outdoor seating area with partial sea view. Friendly pig out back.
We had a good stay and thought the cottage was good value for money
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Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were coming to the end of our North and south driving tour of the islands and our last Stay was 2 nights at Barnacle Bills in Kaikoura and we were delighted to see our accommodation was just what we expected it to be. We booked the lodge which is really a family accommodation, but just 2 of us we had lots and lots of room. The lodge is ideal for a large family containing 2 bedrooms one with 3 single beds and the other with 1 double and 2 singles. The cooking area and dining area are well equipped with all you need to make any meals you desire. the seating area has 2 settees and an armchair. The property had a bathroom with shower and toilet plus a second room with toilet and basin. We found Bills great value for money. Only downside was the weather (raining) so mist the whale spotting cruise, Kaikoura town was disappointing not much there, suppose we were disappointed with the weather missing viewing the Stars, and missed whale cruise. BUT we would definitely recommend Barnacle Bills for your stay
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Date of stay: December 2018
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were two couples on a weekend getaway and had the best time at Barnacle Bill's cottage accommodation. Liz warmly welcomed us and settled us in,before making some dinner recommendations. The cottage was bright, clean, spacious, well-appointed and with a great bathroom and bedroom facilities (noting that the second bedroom has two single beds). Had we wanted to cook, the kitchen was well set up for us to do so. If we had been staying longer we would have enjoyed making use of the lovely terrace with outdoor table and chairs and a simply beautiful view of the snow-capped Kaikoura ranges and the ocean. Thanks Liz - we absolutely loved staying at your place!
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Date of stay: August 2018
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed a couple of nights in Kaikoura. Barnacle Bills is situated just out of town on the high ground along Scarbourgh Rd. A steep pathway opposite the cottage takes you down towards the waterfront. The sun rises across the ocean into the front windows, so we sat on the veranda for our morning coffee and just admired the amazing view.
All the amenities work well and the cottage (there is also the lodge next door) is lovely and snug. As it was winter, we had the two heaters in the living room on which is enough to warm the room up. The bathroom doesn't have a heater, but the water is hot. The beds have electric blankets which made for a comfortable night's sleep. There are washing machines, but no dryers (but washing lines in garden).
We had a super friendly welcome, with milk being provided on arrival, and a well stocked kitchen. It's worth noting that payment is only by cash or bank transfer. There are three ATMs in town, be aware that the NZB bank limits its withdrawal to NZ$400 for foreign cards, but the other banks are higher amounts.
P.S. Ginger, the neighboring pig, is very friendly...especially if you have some food to share.
P.P.S. We ate at the Pier - nice beers, wine and food.
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our only disappointment was that we couldn't stay longer. We loved out time at Barnacle Bills a fabulous accommodation, not only affording terrific views but being well appointed with everything you could need for a comfortable stay. The area is spacious, homely, peaceful and we slept really well.
The location is idea, we loved going up to the viewpoint for a walk at sunset, great photo opportunity and you're not far from town for shopping trips.
Liz is a soul of genuine kindness offering help in every way that she can. Her knowledge of information the area will help with any plans you need to make, logistics, shopping etc. The cottage is also in a superb garden, I spent many happy hours with my camera and would have liked longer as we found there is lots to do around Kaikoura.
We offer our thanks to Liz for making our time in Kaikoura so comfortable.
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Date of stay: May 2018
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:All are perfect.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I spent two nights in the cottage at Barnacle Bill's and were very with the experience there. The cottage is a very large space with two bedrooms, a living area, and a full kitchen with everything you need for a comfortable stay. We were only two but the space would be perfect for families with children as there's a second bedroom with three twin beds. It would qualify as a basic accommodation but the bed was very comfortable, the whole space was clean, bright, and airy, and everything worked perfectly. Liz was very helpful and even offered to shuttle us back to the property after doing the peninsula walk.
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Date of stay: April 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Kaikoura area.
PRICE RANGE
$203 - $247 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandCanterbury RegionKaikoura
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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