WELCOME TO
The Black
Barn
Your considered guide to arriving, settling in and enjoying this quiet West Coast retreat.
YOUR HOST’D HOME
One night is
never enough.
A considered guide to your stay at The Black Barn, with the practical details kept simple so you can spend more time enjoying the house, the bush and the Coast.
01 · ARRIVING
Find your way home.
Directions, parking, the lockbox and everything you need for an easy first arrival.
YOUR STAY, SIMPLY
Choose a chapter.
Nothing hidden. Nothing overwhelming. Just the right information when you need it.
We hope The Black Barn gives you an easy place to settle in, slow down and enjoy a little of the Coast.
Warmly, Claire, Sandy & the Host’d team01 · ARRIVING
Finding your
way home.
The Black Barn is at 50B Haydens Road, Marsden 7805.
Marsden 7805
Arriving at the barn
Once you turn onto Haydens Road, these three visual cues will take you all the way to the house.
01
Watch the roadside for the sealed driveway leading through native bush.
02
Look for the black sign marked “Black Barn @ Westcoast · 50 A–B”. Once you see it, you’re in exactly the right place.
03
Continue along the sealed driveway through the bush until the barn comes into view.
Lockbox & key +
The lockbox is mounted on the black cladding just to the left of the front sliding door, beside the small outdoor light.
- Enter the private code supplied in your pre-arrival message.
- Pull down the small black lever to open the box.
- Inside, you’ll find the key to the front door.
Please close the lockbox firmly and scramble the numbers after taking the key. Return the key to the lockbox whenever you leave the property.
Parking +
Park safely within the property’s designated parking area and keep accessways clear.
Restaurants in smaller West Coast towns often close earlier. If arriving after 8:00pm, consider dining beforehand or collecting supplies from New World Hokitika.
02 · HOUSE GUIDE
Make yourself
at home.
The practical bits for settling in comfortably, from warmth and kitchen details to appliances and everyday essentials.
Heating & comfort +
Black Barn has two heat pumps, one portable heater, two ceiling fans and heated bathroom floors.
Please switch heating off when it is no longer needed and before checkout.
Kitchen & appliances +
Fisher & Paykel stove, oven & extractor
Select the cooking zone or oven function, choose the heat or temperature, and use the extractor whenever cooking. Return every control to off when finished.
Breville Nespresso
- Check the rear water tank.
- Lift the lever, insert a capsule and close firmly.
- Place your cup under the spout and press the top button.
Milk frother
Add milk without passing the maximum line, select your preferred hot or cold setting, then press Select/Start.
Refrigerator
For chilled water, place your glass beneath the dispenser, press it gently against the lever and release when full.
Dishwasher
- Load it without blocking the spray arms.
- Add a tablet to the detergent compartment.
- Select a cycle, press start and close the door securely.
Washer & dryer
Do not overfill the washer. Add detergent and select a suitable cycle. Clear the dryer lint filter before use, then leave both machines clean and empty.
Remote-controlled blinds +
The handheld remote controls both blinds on separate channels. Use the channel selector near the bottom of the remote, then the up/down controls. If a blind does not move, switch channels and try again.
Alexa & Bluetooth audio +
You’re welcome to enjoy the Alexa speaker during your stay. You can also connect your own device using Bluetooth.
Firepit supplies +
A clear container beneath the kitchen sink holds fire starters, a lighter, cleaning gear and utensils. Kindling is stored on the bookshelf facing the firepit, near the fire extinguishers.
Use the firepit carefully, supervise children at all times and ensure the fire is fully extinguished when finished.
Rubbish & recycling +
Collections run fortnightly, so please avoid filling the property bins with travel, car or event waste. If you have extra rubbish or glass, please take it to the Hau Hau Road Recycling Centre.
Clean paper, cans and plastic without lids. No food, glass or polystyrene.
Please keep glass separate.
If you are staying on a Monday night, one of our team may quietly visit to move the bins to the curb.
Morning coffee +
Your plunger coffee is from Coffee Supreme, a New Zealand coffee company whose approach to ethical sourcing and community care is something we love sharing with guests.
Meet Coffee SupremeHouseplants +
Our plants are lovingly propagated and follow their own care schedule. Please admire them without watering or moving them.
03 · HOUSE RULES
A few kind
notes.
We’ve poured a great deal of heart into the home. Please enjoy it fully and treat it with the same care you would your own.
- 01Visitors
Friends and family are welcome by invitation. Please let us know in advance; the reservation holder remains responsible for the home and all visitors.
- 02Keys
Return the key to the lockbox whenever you leave the property.
- 03No smoking or candles
Please keep the home smoke-free and candle-free.
- 04Streaming
If you sign into a personal TV app, remember to sign out before leaving.
- 05Care for the space
Treat the home, furnishings and amenities gently and let us know if an accident occurs.
04 · TRAFFIC & TRAVEL
Travel well.
West Coast roads are beautiful and can be changeable. Allow extra time, keep left and check live conditions before setting out.
05 · EXPLORE NEARBY
A little more
West Coast.
Our handpicked guide brings together places we return to, recommend and genuinely love.
06 · CHECKOUT
A gentle
goodbye.
- Turn off lights and heating, and close windows and doors.
- Wash and put away dishes, or start the dishwasher early.
- Leave used towels together in the bathrooms.
- Sign out of personal streaming accounts.
- Check carefully for belongings and return moved furniture.
- Return the key to the lockbox and scramble the code.
Thank you for staying with us.Warmly,
Claire, Sandy & the Host’d team
07 · FAQs
A few things
worth knowing.
The practical little details that help make your stay easy.
Is the tap water safe to drink? +
Yes. You can safely enjoy fresh, clean water straight from the tap.
Can I charge an electric vehicle? +
You are welcome to charge an EV at the property using your own cable. A longer cable may be helpful because plug access is usually inside the home. A public charger is also available near New World Hokitika.
What linen is included? +
Your stay includes freshly prepared bed linen and plush towels, ready for you on arrival.
Are there sandflies? +
Sandflies are common in the South Island’s bush and lake areas. If you are exploring Hokitika Gorge, Lake Kaniere or South Westland, carrying repellent is worthwhile.
Okarito Sandfly RepellentWhat sustainable products are supplied? +
Our refillable “forever bottles” contain locally sourced, pH-balanced wash products chosen to reduce single-use packaging. Please leave the bottles at the property so they can be refilled for future guests.
What if I leave something behind? +
Message us through your booking platform and include a photo if possible. If our team locates the item, we’ll explain the return options. A $15 service fee applies for retrieval, storage and packaging, with return postage arranged separately.
08 · HELP & SAFETY
Here when
you need it.
We’re always here to help make your stay easy.
The quickest way to reach our support team is by replying through the messaging area of the platform you booked with.
THE TIAKI PROMISE
Travel with
care.
A small but meaningful promise: care for people, place and culture while you’re here on the Coast.
The Tiaki Promise is about moving through Aotearoa thoughtfully — enjoying its beauty while helping protect it. Around here, that can be as simple as keeping beaches clean, sticking to marked tracks, driving carefully and showing genuine respect to the communities you pass through.
Stay on marked tracks, avoid disturbing wildlife and leave beaches, rivers and bush just as you found them.
Use the bins provided, recycle where you can and take extra rubbish with you if needed.
West Coast weather and roads can change quickly, so check conditions and plan ahead before heading out.
Allow extra time, keep left and drive to the conditions — especially on rural roads and in wet weather.
Respect local people, private land, cultural places and the slower rhythm of small communities.