It’s Friday afternoon on the weekend of the solstice. My colleague Ruby and I are on our way to a Yoga retreat at Parohe Island Retreat. We’re clocked off and on the 4pm ferry to Kawau Island. Let me take you with us.
After a breezy golden-hour trip, we arrive at Bon Accord Harbour, exiting the ferry as the sun sets over the water. We are greeted by our hosts for the weekend, Annabelle and her partner, Omkar. We’re welcomed with warm hugs as our luggage is delivered directly to our accommodation.
We begin to explore just the beginning of the 22-hectare property. The alpaca pen is obviously the first stop, with a special mention to the gorgeous one-week-old baby!
After an easy walk, we arrive at our accommodation: one of the ten Cabins sprawled throughout the property. With a spacious, Scandinavian-style interior, we both immediately notice the homely smell of the pine the cabin was built from. Delightful.
After a quick refresh, we head out and follow the path to the Enchantment, the communal meeting area designed for dining, which also houses a yoga-style studio, a commercial kitchen, a fire pit, and wraparound decking with a variety of seating options. It’s also the gateway to a beautiful lawn area, the sauna and outdoor baths. I’ll be back for you - I say to myself.
Here, we meet the other guests attending this weekend retreat as we gather for our first meal, prepared by our lovely hosts. With the weekend’s menu focused on plant-based food, we enjoy a nourishing dinner alongside a selection of delicious teas from The Tonic Room. After getting acquainted with our friends for the weekend, Omkar brings out a tray of tahini cookies straight from the oven. Oh, my gosh. Soft and gooey on the inside, crunchy on the outside. Healthy, but doesn’t taste it. Safe to say that every single person on the island requests the recipe.
From here, we find our way to The Bend, the space where we are led through our first session of the weekend: a mixture of Yoga Nidra and sound bowl healing. At this point, the sun is well and truly gone, but you can still see the outline of the forest outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The space is prepared for us with standing lamps that cast soft light and oil heaters to keep us warm. We are welcomed by Esmeralda, the practitioner for the weekend, and begin a 60-minute session designed to move us towards a state of deep rest and relaxation.
Saturday morning, we wake to the sound of native birds. Parohe is home to around 50 bird species, including a thriving kiwi population! The Beach Cabins include a simple bathroom with a double sink and an enclosed outdoor shower to the side of the cabin, allowing you to shower to the sound of birdsong, framed by native bush and fresh air.
The morning consists of another yoga session at The Bend, followed by a warm breakfast at the Enchantment. With the open kitchen set alongside the dining space, we can see the heart and effort that go into preparing each meal over the weekend.
You can’t overstate the facilities on offer at Parohe. The traditional sauna is heated and ready at a steady 87 degrees, which we absolutely make the most of. We enjoy the outdoor baths: two baths side by side on a wooden platform, amid a tea tree forest, with the sound of a gentle stream - a better soundtrack than any Bluetooth speaker can provide. Provided are a variety of bath salts, essential oils and body wash, as well as another outdoor shower to rinse off after the sauna.
The property includes several trails of varying lengths, perfect for all fitness levels. The Bend is open at all times and available for personal use. As I spy a rack of Pilates weights, I make the most of it and get my sweat on.
Parohe has so many hidden gems: yoga platforms scattered across the property, recliners beside the water and clues leading to the fascinating origin of the property, including the historic Honeymoon Cottage, which famously hosted a “good friend” of Governor Grey. If you’re in need of a comfy spot to sink into a good book, you’re spoilt for nooks.
By this point in the weekend, it’s easy to imagine Parohe as more than a retreat. For corporate groups, it’s the perfect place to reconnect in an authentic way.
It’s sustainably led and unpretentious, with a heart for bringing people together to connect with themselves, one another and the beautiful surroundings. With the entire venue accommodating up to 34 guests across 17 separate dwellings, from the Beach Cabins and Cabanas to the renovated Honeymoon Cottage and The Villa, it’s an ideal setting for team building and alignment.
For those dreaming of a destination wedding or elopement, you’ve met your match. Just imagine a ferry full of your best friends making its way to your own slice of paradise for the weekend. Celebrate with a beautiful backdrop of ferns, forest or ocean, followed by a reception under the stars or somewhere within the indoor-outdoor flow of the Enchantment.
Parohe Island Retreat is available for dry hire or with catering, with a rotating menu of delicious meals to choose from. For those planning a retreat of their own, you can bring your own practitioner - BYOP, if you will. Whatever the occasion, Parohe provides the setting for a truly special time away from the hustle of everyday life.
By Sunday afternoon, Ruby and I head home feeling refreshed, enlightened and closer than ever — all thanks to Parohe Island Retreat. If this sounds like a bit of you, we couldn’t recommend it more
Consider this your sign to go,
Avya | NZ Venues Editor
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