Waterfalls Estate: The Bay of Islands motel & campground built on New Zealand’s first hotel site
Campbell and Michael's approach to kiwi hospitality is refreshingly simple: treat guests how you’d like to be treated.
Some stories are meant to be told. And some places, like Waterfalls Estate Motel & Campground seem destined to hold them.
In the heart of New Zealand’s beautiful Bay of Islands, a crescent-shaped waterfall tumbles into an ocean lagoon once used as the country’s first inland port. Known as Haruru Falls, meaning “big roar” in Māori, this magical location has long drawn the attention of artists, travellers, and history makers.
Today, it’s also home to Waterfalls Estate — a tranquil boutique accommodation business that seamlessly blends nature, heritage, and heartfelt Kiwi hospitality.
Owners Campbell and Michael didn’t just purchase a property; they fulfilled a dream that was almost lost twice. “We fell in love with the place because of its beautiful scenery and cultural significance,” Campbell explained.
“It was also a place greatly admired by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who often visited the Falls and had a favourite spot to sit on the wharf, watching the cascading water.”
Their first offer to purchase the estate was outbid by wealthy property developers. Then, a Māori Trust made a competitive offer but withdrew unexpectedly at the final moment. Still, Campbell and Michael held onto the dream, and vowed that if they ever had the chance again, they’d honour Hundertwasser’s legacy by creating art and teaching children to paint in his unique style.
Then came a moment of fate. Campbell visited the Hundertwasser display in the Kawakawa museum. There, he held a handmade cap crafted by the artist himself and made a quiet wish. Fifteen minutes later, while riding his bike near the river path close to where Hundertwasser moored his famous boat, Regentag, his phone rang. It was the property’s owner. “I’ve decided to sell you the property,” they said. “You are the guys I want to own it.”
Since that remarkable phone call, Campbell and Michael have poured their energy and love into Waterfalls Estate. What they’ve created is much more than just a holiday stay. It’s an experience that connects people to the land, the water, the region’s layered stories — and themselves.
A property with a past
The site’s history is extraordinary. Waterfalls Estate was once home to the Waitangi Falls Hotel, the first hotel in New Zealand, built in 1828 by Captain Hansen. This hotel held the country’s first bush licence (an early form of liquor licence), and also functioned as the Paihia Station Post Office. It even had the area’s first telephone, costing a shilling per call.
The guest register reads like a roll-call of 19th-century notables: F.E. Maning, Charles Darwin, Samuel von Sturmer, Governor FitzRoy, and even Queen Victoria’s son, the Duke of Edinburgh. As the story goes, Darwin visited during Christmas of 1835. Just 26 years old, he arrived by ship, came ashore at the estate’s stone wharf, still in use today, and stayed at the old hotel.
His first impressions of the hinterland were brutal, but later, Darwin’s views evolved, and he came to regard New Zealand as a site of interest for its geographical and cultural diversity.
Later, the hotel was destroyed in a fire in 1937. A campground was established on the waterfront in the 1940s, and the existing motel buildings began life as a motor inn in the 1950s.
Today, those buildings have been upgraded and transformed into modern apartment-style accommodation, overlooking the campground and riverbank below.
A boutique stay with soul
Waterfalls Estate offers a variety of accommodation options, including apartment-style motel rooms and a peaceful campground. Its lush, park-like grounds sweep down to a private beach with riparian rights, giving guests direct access to the lagoon and Falls.
It’s also a popular wedding venue, thanks to the addition of a large, fully equipped marquee with a dance floor and banquet tables. But it’s not just the amenities that make this place stand out. Campbell and Michael go the extra mile to create an authentic, comfortable experience for their guests.
“We want people to have a true Kiwi holiday. That means comfort, kindness, and a few extra touches,” Michael said. Guests can enjoy complimentary continental breakfast, use of beach chairs and umbrellas, free kayaking, and eco-nature walks.
There’s plenty for families, too. An adventure playground and even a pirate shipwreck delight children, while adults can soak in the natural serenity. For those seeking reflection, the estate occasionally hosts meditation sessions by the water.
“There’s a real sense of harmony here,” Campbell noted. “The sound of the cascading Falls, the birdlife — it creates a sense of peace that’s hard to describe. Sometimes guests don’t expect it, but they leave feeling deeply restored.”
Built on respect, driven by passion
With backgrounds in economics, education, and corporate business management, Campbell and Michael bring a practical yet passionate approach to hospitality. Together, they’ve previously run a coach tour company, restaurants, bars, and serviced apartments. Their experience has taught them that good service is non-negotiable.
“We treat guests how we’d like to be treated — with warmth, respect, and a willingness to help,” Michael said. “Great customer service can fix almost anything, and it’s why we’ve received awards and consistent positive feedback.”
Of course, running a historic estate hasn’t been without challenges. “Upgrading the buildings and landscaping the grounds was a massive undertaking,” said Campbell.
“We even had to repair the boiler once—I ended up covered in coal dust, and eventually the thing blew up.” Thankfully, insurance covered the incident, but it’s one of many behind-the-scenes stories that highlight the couple’s commitment and grit.
A community connection
Beyond their work at the estate, Campbell and Michael are active supporters of the local Bay of Islands community. They donate products and services to organisations and have welcomed musicians and bands performing at regional music festivals to stay at the estate. During Waitangi Day celebrations, the estate becomes a key gathering site, as Māori waka (war canoes) paddle up the river and are moored at the Falls. The ceremonies begin each morning at the campground and attract hundreds of visitors.
“We host a BBQ and people have said they feel truly welcome here. That’s what it’s all about,” said Campbell.
Looking to the future
Waterfalls Estate is continuing to evolve. With plans to expand their wedding offerings and create a new glamping experience, Campbell and Michael are excited to welcome even more guests to their riverside retreat. They’re also working to re-establish the property’s legacy as a site of pioneering hospitality, nearly two centuries after the original hotel opened its doors.
The name Waterfalls Estate is now officially trademarked, and curiously, after registration they discovered it had appeared on some of New Zealand’s earliest land deeds. “It was meant to be,” said Michael.
So whether guests are paddling into the mist of the Falls, walking through native bush on a boardwalk among mangroves, or sitting quietly under the stars listening to the nighttime call of kiwi, they’re part of something timeless here.
Waterfalls Estate isn’t just a destination. It’s a love story, a piece of history, and a true celebration of Kiwi hospitality.
