“The Yard Master” Schooner Bay

Top rated by guests
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review stars
9.4Outstanding
(35 Ratings)
"We loved our family holiday at The Yard Master, it is in a beautiful waterfront peaceful location with lovely views. The house is rustic and interesting and had everything we needed. The boat house wa..."
Michelle J.
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9.4 / 10
Outstanding(35 Ratings)

House in Auckland Region

8 guests · 3 bedrooms · 1 bath

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Well priced for this locationPriced under area average
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About this house rental

*** please educate yourself on current fishing restrictions before you head to Great Barrier island. There are currently Rahui’s in place to protect our moana and restrictions due to an invasive seaweed. Caulerpa Is a real threat and needs to be taken seriously 🙏 these restrictions effect fishing, shellfish collection, anchorage and general boating areas...***

LINK:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/47623-Information-sheet-on-Caulerpa-brachypus-and-the-Controlled-Area-Notice

The yard master is a characteristic 3 bedroom family batch in Schooner bay nestled amongst ancient pohutakawas. With an abundance of native bird life and breath taking views of the bay you will feel like your in your own slice of paradise.

The bay provides great fishing, diving and beautiful sunsets. This is the perfect place to unwind and disconnect from everyday life and reconnect to nature.

It is only a 10 minute drive from Tryphena harbour, local shops, cafe and Irish pub.

This unique space offers comfortable living areas, wood fired coal range, gas oven/hobs, gas fridge/freezer, simple kitchen equipment, large deck, bath/shower and a flushing toilet.

The house is off grid running on 12 volt solar which is mainly used for lighting, this is a great place to take a break from technology but there is internet at local shops if needed.

There is a boat shed right on the water with kayaks, dingys, bbq, outside shower and fish filleting table. If you are up for an ocean adventure there are sea caves and coves you can visit within the bay on kayaks and stunning snorkeling everywhere you look. The boat shed is a shared space for renters, family and friends.

There are plenty of hiking tracks, white sandy beaches and even a hot water spring no more 30 minutes away.

This is a truly epic place surrounded in rich native bush and stunning coastline. The night sky is something dreams are made of and sunsets you wouldn’t believe. The thing that makes great barrier special is the island itself.. something’s just can’t fit in a little description box, you might just have to come see.

Please book 72 hours in advance, leave one day between bookings for maintenance and tidy up before you leave :)

Amenities at “The Yard Master” Schooner Bay

Non-smoking
No pets allowed
Family friendly

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Ratings and reviews

9.4 / 10
Outstanding(35 Ratings)
10 / 10Outstanding·Feb 2026
We loved our family holiday at The Yard Master, it is in a beautiful waterfront peaceful location with lovely views. The house is rustic and interesting and had everything we needed. The boat house was an added bonus and a beautiful spot for evening swims, drinks and watching the sunset. Recommend beach shoes for swimming as the beach is rocky.
10 / 10Outstanding·Dec 2025
Fantastic spot - bigger than it seems with lots of extras
8 / 10Excellent·Mar 2025
Great location, loved kyaks. House was good for large group but kitchestove, pots cooking facilities a little outdated.
6 / 10Average·Apr 2022
We enjoyed our stay, though there are some things that could maybe be made more clear in the listing. Schooner Bay is pretty at high tide, but rocky and not suitable for swimming. The fishing tackle available was not suitable for shore fishing. We didn't find any walks locally, so ended up driving each day. There was minimal phone reception at schooner bay (Spark or Vodafone). The bach is basic. Beds were clean and comfortable. Lighting is 12v and dim, so bring several really good torches. The kitchenware wasn't very clean and most crockery and utensils required washing before we could use them. They're was barely any washing up liquid or toilet paper provided, we had our own, but that is the sort of thing that would be helpful to state in the listing. The toilet is in a separate building, just three steps away, but not ideal given the pouring rain we had, for nighttime trips to the loo. The toiletroom was full of caterpillars and slugs. Lots were squashed under the mat, so that had obviously not been moved for cleaning. Overall an interesting bach, but not one I would recommend for a family wanting to explore the island.

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FAQs

Is parking included with this house?

Parking is not specified as an available amenity at “The Yard Master” Schooner Bay. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is “The Yard Master” Schooner Bay pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at “The Yard Master” Schooner Bay?

We found 3 amenities for this rental. This includes non-smoking, no pets allowed, and family friendly.