Looking for a serene countryside getaway close to Auckland? Consider vacationing near Shelly Beach. Tucked between the beautiful harbor on one side and lush green forests on the other, this town is the perfect vacation spot for those who are looking for a unique unexplored destination. There’s so much natural beauty around here that your camera is going to run out of storage pretty soon! You can also drive to Parakai or the nearby lakes to explore the area further. As its name signifies Shelly Beach is “shell-y” and has gained popularity for fishing because it can be accessed in all tides. While here, you could stay by the beach on a waterfront holiday rental property in Shelly Beach, near the Kaipara Harbor, or on one of the farms in Helensville and South Head. Pick any of these rentals from our list of top Airbnb vacation rentals in and near Shelly Beach, New Zealand.
1. The little house near Shelly Beach (from USD 89)
This listing is for a house for rent in Shelly Beach, Kaipara Harbour, a convenient drive from the Auckland city center. The little house has two bedrooms with three beds that can comfortably accommodate up to four guests and one bathroom so that everyone can get ready easily. There is a swinging chair in the orchard where you can relax at the end of your busy day and enjoy the evening sun. The home is well-equipped with all modern amenities including an open kitchen so you can prepare a meal as and when you need. The nearby entertainment options include surf beaches, thermal pools, farmer markets, vineyards, golf club, horse center, and mountain biking.
Shelly Beach, Auckland, New ZealandAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
very tidy and clean propertya very comfortable and clean little house that was more than big enough for our family of threeRead more reviewsLocation:
excellent communication from megan well presented place and ideally located for what we needed
2. Waterfront cottage at Shelly Beach (from USD 154)
For a group of six, this is the best beachside pet-friendly Airbnb at Shelly Beach on a secluded inlet off Kaipara Harbor. The beautiful cottage offers two large bedrooms and two modern bathrooms. While staying here you’d not want to drive away from this property. It has landscaped gardens, screened by trees, and an impressive deck on three sides offering you panoramic views of the sea. If you have kids in your family, they are going to love the beach as it is shallow and there are two playground areas here for them to stay busy all day long. You can also visit nearby lakes, forests, golf course, and even go food hunting in the amazing street food markets in Auckland.
Shelly Beach, Auckland, New ZealandAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
this place is exactly as beautiful as the photos and very clean and tidyit was clean and comfortable with plenty of amenitiesRead more reviewsLocation:
a great place to relax
3. The Orchard Cabin (from USD 84)
Tucked away in a tranquil organic avocado orchard near Shelly Beach, this guest suite is a peaceful haven just an hour from Auckland. Wake up to the captivating bay and garden views while knowing that the beach is just a peaceful stroll away. This suite also combines rustic charm with modern amenities, featuring a cozy workspace and steady WiFi, ideal for a working vacation. Outside, the private seasonal pool awaits for sun-drenched afternoons.
Nearby, ‘The Jetty’ offers delightful dining experiences while scenic walking tracks beckon for exploration. Furthermore, a friendly golden retriever, Princess Poppy, adds a touch of joy to your stay. This secluded retreat is accessible yet away from the hustle and bustle, making it perfect for rejuvenation. Remember to stock up in Helensville before arriving at this idyllic getaway, as there are no grocery shops in the area.
South Head, Auckland, New ZealandSuperhost Accommodates: 3
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the deck space is such a peaceful place to have breakfast with the sounds of naturehas a great kitchen bench comfy bed and nice deck with garden viewsCleanliness:
the accommodation was comfortable and clean and we loved the extra touches such as choccies and avosHost:
friendly hosts with personalized small touches making the differencegreat spot and lovely hostschrissy is a fabulous host that instantly makes you feel at homevery accommodating kind and caring peoplea perfect quiet stay with great hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
very peaceful and walking distance to a nice fishing jettyexcellent place to have a weekend away from the busy auckland city lifelovely quiet and peaceful locationexcellent location for golf at southead and a look at the peninsulagreat lil location and lovely hosts
4. The Shed in South Head (from USD 74)
Less than an hours’ drive from Auckland, this accommodation in South Head is a great choice for people searching for a getaway in the countryside! The accommodation offers a spacious queen-sized bedroom with a full and a half bathroom, an open living/dining room with a standard kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. The shed overlooks lush green fields and a pond. There’s also a sofa cum bed in the living room for relaxation. Perfect for a couple or solo traveler, this shed offers utmost privacy and its own private entrance. If you get lucky you might be visited by wild deer and peacocks in the area.
South Head, Auckland, New ZealandSuperhost Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very comfortable warm quirky and most of all put together with lovelooks better than i thought warm and cozy with pleasant homey touches to the placeHost:
they were wonderful hosts who were friendly and helpful but left us to ourselvesgreat host- very accommodating at short noticeronelle and ian are wonderful hosts who went out of their way to make us feel welcomegreat host very happily stay here againronelle and ian are friendly helpful hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
a great place to stay if when you want to get away from the busy city lifeamazing location awesome little spot would 10/10 recommendronelle’s place is within easy drive of central auckland and is great for exploring the surrounding areaabsolutely beautiful location looking over a farm valley and a little bit of the seawell-appointed and nicely decorated property in a beautiful quiet location
5. Private room in a peaceful countryside home
This beautiful accommodation in the lush green countryside is perfect for you if you are traveling as a couple or solo traveler looking for a budget rental for a relaxing long weekend! The house is conveniently located at a 20 minutes’ drive from the Woodhill mountain bike park, Parakai Hot Pools, and Shelly Beach. Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens are located at a five minutes drive from here. This country house offers one cozy bedroom with en-suite bathroom. The shared spaces include a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a charming outdoor hot tub. There’s also a spacious deck where you can watch the lovely sunset while sharing a drink with your partner. All modern amenities like Wifi, TV, complimentary breakfast and free parking on premises are also available.
Kaukapakapa, Warkworth, New ZealandTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the relaxed breakfast of cereals and a tray of fresh fruit was plentiful and the croissants were scrumptiousit's very comfortable and completethe room with ensuite was great and comfywe felt very comfortable relaxing with a drink before dinner and then made our meal in their kitchenthe breakfast was great we got homemade muffinsCleanliness:
it was peaceful clean and tidy and comfortablethe bed is extremely comfortable and everything is spotlessly cleanthe room and ensuit bathroom were neat and cleanthe bedroom is nicely decorated and very spaciousHost:
they gave us helpful advice for our onward journeythey are very kind and helpfullwonderful hospitable hosts the homemade jams are absolutely delicious especially passion fruitthey are very friendly and helpfullola and dean are great hosts with easy personalities and make you feel so welcomeRead more reviewsLocation:
lovely location nice clean house and room great breakfast highly recommendedtotally recommend if you’re in the area and looks big for a place to stay
6. Renovated rural retreat
Conveniently located at a 20-minute drive from Shelly Beach and a 45-minute drive from Auckland CBD, this stylish cottage can be a perfect accommodation for three to four guests. There is a furnished bedroom with queen size bed, living room with sofa cum bed, a modern bathroom, and a well-equipped kitchenette. The cottage has a lot of windows that offer plenty of natural light. Since it is located on a farm you can also spend some time watching the farm animals. The outdoor shared facilities include a large pine table in the backyard with a coal and gas barbecue where you can relax and enjoy a family meal. Spend your days exploring the nearby beaches, markets, bush walks, a sculpture trail walk, restaurants, wineries etc.
Helensville, Auckland, New ZealandTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
later that evening leila brought over a fan for usthe view was wonderful and the studio well-equipped with breakfast including fresh milkstudio was comfortable light and had everything we neededlots of cool things to do locally as well including breweries/ wineries/ hot pools etc etccan't rave enough about how comfortable and chicly decorated this space isCleanliness:
beautiful clean comfy rural retreatnice clean and well decorated unitclean with lovely touch'severything was very clean and well cared forit was nice and cleanHost:
friendly hosts thanks guys jude & benextremely helpful owner who assisted with directions and communicationsthey were very helpful and friendly hoststhe hosts were welcoming and accomodatinglovely farm stay leila was a wonderful hostRead more reviewsLocation:
location is great - very close to helensvillegreat location just outside of aucklandour stay at this location was easy and hassle freeleila’s place is super cutevery friendly welcome lovely location
7. Little Country cottage and horse haven
Surrounded by rolling hills and paddocks, this beautiful countryside rental offers you a peaceful yet convenient getaway near the forests and lake. This listing is for a private room in this quaint 100 years old cottage with a double bed that can comfortably sleep a couple or solo traveler. If you are looking for a budget bed and breakfast property close to nature then this is the best choice.
South Head, Auckland, New Zealand
8. Peaceful rural retreat in South Head
If you are looking for a budget accommodation close to beaches on the outskirts of Auckland, then this rental is for you! This listing offers a peaceful guest suite with separate entrance. The chalet can host up to four guests as it features a bedroom with a comfortable queen-size bed, a living area with a sofa bed, and large windows in all rooms which let in plenty of daylight along with fresh breeze and offer wonderful views. There is a modern bathroom, a convenient well-equipped kitchen, and a patio for relaxing. You can plan to take a morning stroll in the neighborhood to enjoy wonderful views over the harbor, or drive to the Lake Rototoa for swimming, and enjoy sunbathing at the Shelly Beach nearby.
9. Fishermans Lodge
Ideal for families, friends, and business colleagues traveling as a group of six, this lodge is located conveniently close to the seashore. Plan for some great group activities such as fishing, swimming, or boating. The lodge has three double bedrooms and a private bathroom as well. You can sit back and relax in the deck while enjoying barbecue.
10. Luxury home offering fantastic views of the Kaipara Lake
Luxury in the lap of nature, this large house on the ground floor with private entrance is ideal for a quiet getaway in the countryside for a group of seven guests. Located nearby the Shelly beach, Parakai hot pools, and local cafés, this modern rental offers you an entire space featuring four bedrooms, three of which have a cozy double bed and the fourth one has a single bed. The house is set on five acres (two hectares) of a beautiful property. It also features an outdoor swimming pool, barbecue, spa, and spa bath among other usual amenities. This is a fantastic spot for relaxing as it offers views of the bird sanctuary and the Kaipara Harbor.
Accommodates: 7
11. The Grey Barn
A cottage located 1km (0.6 miles) from Shelly Beach, this well-decorated rental is located on a large barn spread over 1 hectare (2.4 acres). It offers a bedroom with queen-size bed, private bathroom, kitchenette, and a living room with a TV and sofa. The cottage has a private entrance ensuring complete privacy during your stay. While you stay here you can spend some time with the sheep, calves, and chickens. Or you can head to the Shelly Beach for a swim. There’s also a cafe at the beach where you can have your meals when you are not in the mood for cooking.
Shelly Beach, Auckland, New ZealandSuperhost Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
parakai hot pools are an easy drive away and same with helensville if you needed some suppliesCleanliness:
unit was very clean and well appointedthe unit was very tidy and clean and the bed was very comfortablenice quiet clean and overall cozy staybeautifully clean with stylish touches that make you feel welcomeperfect accommodation very clean and karen was nice to talk toHost:
great host who was friendly and welcominggreat host lovely unit and so peaceful and quietkaren was a great host and every detail had been thoughtfully put togethereverything that you will need and karen is such a lovely hostkaren was a great host and tom the cat was a characterRead more reviewsLocation:
excellent location quiet and near the beachnice quiet location for our night awaynice accommodation in a lovely quiet location minutes from the beachthis place is perfect if you need to get out of the city for a few daysthe location is very private and it was lovely having the cows and cat nearby
Book today for your upcoming trip
Its proximity to Auckland makes it a great place if you are planning a family get-together or friends getaway. When traveling in a group Airbnb is the best choice. Stay at one of the places to stay in Shelly Beach and don’t forget to pack additional storage cards for your camera to make your vacation to the countryside a memorable one!
Wondering where else you can stay on the west coast of Aukland? The Bookabach holiday homes in Muriwai might satisfy your curiosity. If you are searching for nearby options, you will find exciting options in Orewa, Helensville, and more. You can browse these bookaback holiday homes in Orewa and ensure your vacation is enjoyable. So, pack your bags now and book your stay!