About 305 Redwood Road
305 Redwood Road is the address of Appleby House & Rabbit Island Huts, a luxury lodge-and-event venue in the Tasman region. It’s set on about 25 hectares of the Waimea Plains with 360° views of the Richmond Ranges, Mount Arthur and the Waimea Estuary (www.tripadvisor.co.uk ). The property lies just off State Highway 6 near the coastal village of Māpua (Richmond), roughly a 20–25 minute drive from Nelson city (www.tripadvisor.co.uk ) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Local listings describe the estate as “luxurious and unique,” blending stylish, architect-designed accommodation with a peaceful rural setting (www.bayleys.co.nz ). In fact the main Appleby House was completed in 2008 (designed by architect Leigh Briars) and can be booked alone or as part of the venue (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.bayleys.co.nz ).
Over time the site expanded: in 2018 six eco-huts (the Rabbit Island Huts) were added, followed by a new banquet hall in 2020 for larger gatherings (www.ticketfairy.com ). The woodland-themed huts are built with local macrocarpa timbers and eco-friendly finishes, each containing a queen bed and basic kitchenette; three of the huts even have ensuite bathrooms (one with an outdoor bathtub) while the others share two luxury showers (www.ticketfairy.com ). In total the estate offers about five bedrooms in the house plus six cabin suites and a glamping tent – enough sleeping rooms for roughly 26 guests (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.nelsontasman.nz ). For example, a regional tourism guide notes a maximum capacity of 26 people across all the accommodations (www.nelsontasman.nz ).
Because of its design and amenities, Appleby House & Rabbit Island Huts serves as a private countryside retreat. It has won a reputation locally as an offbeat wedding and corporate venue that feels like a high-end country lodge. One reviewer called it “a genuine slice of New Zealand farm life with all the comforts of a high-end lodge” (www.ticketfairy.com ). Guests often mention the tranquillity and abundant birdlife on the property – one visitor even boasted of getting the “best night sleep” of their lives thanks to the peaceful setting (www.ticketfairy.com ). Facilities like shared spa baths and outdoor decks reinforce that eco-rustic charm. In short, this is not a typical city hall but a special rural destination where design and nature combine. It’s also run as a fully licensed business, marketed year-round for retreats: “with weddings in the warmer months and retreats in the colder ones, there is year-round opportunity” for events (www.bayleys.co.nz ).
Events and Programming
Appleby House & Rabbit Island Huts is used almost exclusively for booked private events – it does not host drop-in shows or public concerts. The most common bookings are weddings, corporate retreats and wellness gatherings (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.bayleys.co.nz ). It has become known as an intimate wedding venue in Tasman: couples can say “I do” outside in a picturesque garden setting (there’s even a shaded outdoor “Garden Chapel” carved out of shrubs) and then celebrate with dinner in the spacious banquet hall overlooking the hills (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.ticketfairy.com ). The lawn chapel area holds roughly 50 people comfortably for ceremonies (www.ticketfairy.com ), while the indoor hall can accommodate up to about 120 guests seated or standing, depending on the seating arrangement (www.ticketfairy.com ). Photo opportunities are a highlight – photographers prize the open vistas and gardens, and it’s common to see couples doing golden-hour portraits on the lawn (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Because the entire estate (house, huts and hall) is usually rented together, event packages include on-site lodging. For example, a wedding “Intimate” package covers a 60-guest ceremony with accommodation in the house and huts, while the “Signature” package gives exclusive use of the full venue for up to 120 guests (including two nights of lodging) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Reported costs for 2024 are on the order of NZD 6,880 for a 60-person event, and NZD 12,500+ for the full-property 120-person wedding (www.ticketfairy.com ). (These are inclusive flat-rate fees that bundle venue hire, catering support and accommodation.)
Outside of weddings, the property also hosts other retreats. It is occasionally booked by yoga and health groups, leadership teams and creative workshops (www.bayleys.co.nz ). Bayleys notes the place “is a draw for yoga & health retreats, weddings and corporate functions” (www.bayleys.co.nz ), so activities might include morning yoga in the garden or team-building exercises on the grounds. Since events are all by appointment, visitors should not expect public movie nights or live music on the calendar; when events do occur, they are usually privately organized and require prior arrangement with the venue.
Tickets and Booking
There is no public “box office” or walk-up ticket counter at Appleby House – everything is arranged directly with the venue or event organizers. To book a stay or private event, you must contact Appleby House through their web site or by phone and agree on a package. Room reservations (for standard lodging or B&B stays) typically require a one-night deposit at booking, with the remainder due about 7 days before arrival (www.ticketfairy.com ). Corporate or wedding retreats generally priced as all-inclusive packages are also handled by arrangement (www.ticketfairy.com ). In other words, you don’t “buy tickets” for a show here; instead you reserve the venue for your specific date and purpose.
As a guideline, nightly room rates vary by season. One source indicates summer rates (December–May) are about NZD 140–190 per night per room (www.ticketfairy.com ), while off-season rates are somewhat lower. Renting out the entire property (house plus all huts) can run around NZD 980 per night in summer (www.ticketfairy.com ). Check-in is generally from about 3:00 pm and check-out by 10:00 am (www.ticketfairy.com ). The venue’s cancellation policy allows free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival (www.ticketfairy.com ) (after that, the full booking fee may apply). Accepted payment methods include credit card, bank transfer or cash (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Key Tips: Book well in advance for popular dates (weekends and the November–March wedding season often fill up quickly). Because this is a remote retreat, all ticketing and scheduling is handled privately – there are no third-party ticket vendors or door sales. For any event you attend (e.g. if you’re a hired guest or participant), you will get details from the event host, not from a public schedule. If you ever do need last-minute info, the official website suggests contacting their team directly to confirm your booking or inquire about availability.
Seating and Layout
The venue is not a fixed-seating theater, so your view and seating depend on how the space is arranged for each event. The new banquet hall (built in 2020) has a flexible open-plan interior – chairs and tables can be set up in theatre style, classroom style, or for round-table dining as needed (www.ticketfairy.com ). There is no permanent stage or tiered seating, so front-center chairs (near the speaker or performer) generally give the clearest views (www.ticketfairy.com ). The garden lawn provides an alternate gathering space: the shaded “Garden Chapel” on the grass is ideal for outdoor ceremonies and seats about 50 people with built-in shrubbery seating nearby (www.ticketfairy.com ). This outdoor lawn area is often chosen for intimate ceremonies or children’s activities, with families and young guests enjoying the shade.
Inside the main house, the layout is residential. There is a single-level villa with five private guest bedrooms, two main lounge areas (one featuring a large open fireplace), and a fully equipped modern kitchen (www.ticketfairy.com ). Behind this house cluster are the six Rabbit Island Huts and a glamping tent. Each hut is a compact eco-chalet (queen bed, mini-fridge, tea/coffee facilities); three have private ensuite bathrooms (one even with its own deck and outdoor tub) and the others share two luxury showers (www.ticketfairy.com ). Note that the huts are linked by wooden paths and porches that include some steps, so mobility-impaired visitors should inquire in advance (www.ticketfairy.com ). All hut guests share communal amenities – there’s a sauna, an outdoor lounge with BBQ/firepit, and walking paths through the gardens (www.ticketfairy.com ).
For events, audio/visual setups are fairly straightforward. The hall and meeting rooms are wired with an 86″ flat-screen TV, external speakers and free Wi-Fi (www.ticketfairy.com ). Adequate electrical outlets and lighting are available throughout the hall in case you need to plug in a sound system or projector. (www.ticketfairy.com ). However, there is no specialized stage lighting or house PA system provided by default – if you need professional audio/visual equipment for a presentation or performance, it’s best to arrange rental equipment in advance (the events staff can advise on technologies and accommodate special requests). In any public area (lounges, hall, gardens) free common Wi-Fi is provided, and mobile phone reception is generally good for this open rural location (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Getting There and Parking
Appleby House is located at 305 Redwood Road, Appleby (some maps list it under Māpua in postal addresses) (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you’re driving from Nelson, follow the motorway/base to SH6 north toward Māpua. Turn onto Redwood Road when you see signs; the driveway is clearly sign-posted from the highway (www.ticketfairy.com ). The drive from central Nelson takes about 20–25 minutes under normal conditions. (If coming from Richmond, Redwood Road is the turnoff just past Mapua.)
There is ample free parking for guests. A designated car park is situated near the house and hall, and the hosts note that parking is essentially “unlimited” in those marked spaces (www.ticketfairy.com ). Be careful to park only on the gravel pads or driveway – do not park on lawns or behind the lodge buildings as per the house rules (www.ticketfairy.com ). Once on-site, drive slowly (around 5 km/h) along the farm-like track for the safety of pedestrians and animals (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Public Transit: There is no direct public bus stop at Redwood Road. The nearest commuter bus lines (eBus or Golden Bay Coachlines) stop in Richmond or on SH6 near Upper Moutere (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you arrive by bus, you would typically transfer to a taxi or shuttle for the final 10–15 km to Appleby Road. Local taxis from Nelson/Richmond run the Māpua/Appleby area (one-way fares might be in the NZD 60–100 range) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Rideshare apps (Uber, etc.) are unreliable in this rural zone, so it’s safest to pre-arrange a Nelson or Richmond cab service if you won’t have your own car.
By Air: Nelson’s airport (NSN) is about a 20-minute drive from Appleby (www.ticketfairy.com ). Rental cars and airport shuttles can drop travelers at Redwood Road. On special occasions, the venue can even accommodate helicopter landings on its flat fields (www.ticketfairy.com ) – just make arrangements with the Appleby House team in advance.
Inside the Venue
On arrival, expect a friendly Kiwi welcome. There is no front desk; instead, guests receive arrival instructions by email beforehand (www.ticketfairy.com ). Once checked in, the interior feels cozy and modern: the main lounge is decorated with natural wood and stone accents around a large open fireplace, giving a warm cabin atmosphere (www.ticketfairy.com ). A neat collection of board games and puzzles is available in the lounge, and children will find a cupboard of toys and games if they brought kids along (www.ticketfairy.com ). (Highchairs are also on hand for families.) The hosts recommend guests label any personal food they put in the communal kitchen fridges, as the kitchen – while fully-equipped with multiple ovens and refrigerators – is shared among all visitors (www.ticketfairy.com ).
The communal kitchen is a hub of activity: you can prepare meals there with your own groceries, or just use its fridges/freezers and cooking facilities during your stay (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you prefer to dine out or have catering, note that Appleby House itself has no restaurant or on-site meals service. Outside the kitchen, there are barbecue grills and covered picnic tables on the terrace for al fresco dining. In the garden you’ll also find fire pits and a large stone outdoor fireplace, which is great for roasting marshmallows and evening barbecues (www.ticketfairy.com ). One of the Rabbit Island Huts even features a private outdoor shower and clawfoot bathtub, and all guests have access to a communal wood-fired sauna and natural cold-plunge pool (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.ticketfairy.com ).
The venue provides several guest conveniences: there is laundry (a washing machine) for guest use, and the entire property is covered by complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi (www.ticketfairy.com ). The house and huts are non-smoking inside (as a courtesy to all guests) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Pet lovers will be happy to know dogs are welcome by prior arrangement – there are bowls and grassy areas for pets, but they must be kept on a leash and owners should pick up after them (www.ticketfairy.com ). Overall, many visitors comment on how seamlessly Appleby House combines homelike amenities (kitchens, lounges, fireplaces) with the hotel-service feel of organized lodging. In fact the hosts describe it as “a little bit B&B and a little bit hotel,” meaning you’ll find personal touches and warm service without a formal reception desk (www.applebyhouse.co.nz ).
Nearby Amenities
While Appleby House is in a rural setting, there are several convenient services and attractions nearby. The closest dining spot is Cafe @ Redwoods (on Redwood Road, just up the hill) – a garden-centre café with locally sourced produce and a relaxed atmosphere. It serves breakfast, lunch and baked goods, and is known for friendly service and scenic surroundings (www.cafeatredwoods.co.nz ). For a pub-style meal or craft beer, residents head into Māpua (about 5–10 minutes away) to the Sprig + Fern Tavern – a restored heritage building that’s a local favorite for award-winning craft beers and hearty fare (sprigandfern.co.nz ). Also in Mapua Wharf is The Apple Shed Kitchen & Bar , a waterfront restaurant in an old fruit-shed building with large bi-fold windows; it offers a simple seasonal menu of farm-to-table dishes and a good selection of wines, cider and craft beer (www.theappleshed.nz ). If your visit is timed with a Saturday, check out the Mapua market on the wharf for artisan foods and crafts, or nearby wineries for tastings (the Moutere wine region starts just north of the estate).
For everyday needs, the Tasman Village/Māpua area (3–4 km away) has cafés, a pharmacy, a general store, and a small supermarket. Richmond (10 km via highway, 8–10 minute drive) has larger shops, restaurants and hotels if you need them. Outdoor recreation options are plentiful: Rough Island Regional Park with equestrian trails is a short walk or ride from the lodge (www.nelsontasman.nz ), and the long beach at Rabbit Island (the nature reserve on Rabbit Island itself) is about 2 km away by car (www.nelsontasman.nz ). Cyclists will be pleased that the famous Nelson Great Taste Trail passes within a few hundred meters of Appleby House (www.applebyhouse.co.nz ), so you can hop on the trail to explore vineyards and coastlines of the region.
What is the capacity of Appleby House for events?
The new hall and grounds can handle up to about 120 guests in total. In practice each wedding or event package is typically limited to 60–120 people. For example, their full ‘Signature’ wedding package covers up to 120 guests (www.ticketfairy.com ). The on-site banquet hall seats up to around 120 (with table/chair layout arranged as needed), and a lawn-side “chapel” area outside seats about 50 for ceremony.
How do I book Appleby House or buy tickets for an event?
All bookings are made directly through the venue (via their official website or by phone). You can’t buy tickets like a public show. Couples or companies contact Appleby House to approach dates and packages. Room or retreat reservations require a deposit (usually one night’s stay) up front and full payment 7 days before arrival (www.ticketfairy.com ). Wedding/event fees are quoted as flat packages (including hall rental and accommodations) (www.ticketfairy.com ). There is no public box office: the hosts handle all details and issue confirmations themselves.
Where do I park and can I take public transport?
If you drive, follow State Highway 6 (away from Nelson) and turn onto Redwood Road when sign-posted. There is free parking on-site next to the lodge and hall buildings. Please park only in the marked gravel areas (no lawn parking) and drive very slowly on the farm tracks (www.ticketfairy.com ). Public buses do not reach the property. The nearest bus stops are on SH6 (Richmond or Upper Moutere); a taxi/shuttle is needed for the last 10–15 km. Rideshare apps are scarce out here, so book a local taxi if you have no car (www.ticketfairy.com ). Nelson Airport is about 20 min away by car (rental cars or shuttle taxis serve the route) (www.ticketfairy.com ). On special request the estate can even accommodate helicopter landings (www.ticketfairy.com ).
What breakfast or food options are available on-site?
Appleby House does not have a restaurant or café of its own. It operates more like a self-catering B&B/hotel. There is a fully-equipped communal kitchen where guests can prepare meals (and are advised to label their food) (www.ticketfairy.com ). For food and drink, most people either bring groceries or enjoy outside venues. The nearby Cafe @ Redwoods on Redwood Road serves breakfast and lunch (www.cafeatredwoods.co.nz ). In Mapua there are restaurants (for example, The Apple Shed Kitchen & Bar on the waterfront (www.theappleshed.nz ) or Sprig + Fern Tavern for pub meals (sprigandfern.co.nz )). If you have a wedding catering arrangement, that can be delivered. Otherwise families often use the kitchen and outdoor BBQ areas for self-serve meals (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Are children or pets allowed at events and stays?
This venue is family-friendly. There is no age restriction, and children’s activities are provided – the house has board games, puzzles and a toy cupboard for kids (www.ticketfairy.com ). Just note that smaller children should be supervised around outdoor firepits or the sauna area. Pets (dogs) can stay too by prior arrangement. The hosts provide bowls and space, but pets must be leashed and cleaned up after (www.ticketfairy.com ). There are no other animals on site, so it’s generally safe for kids and pets, barring normal farm caution (drive slowly on site, watch for steps, etc.).
Is Appleby House wheelchair accessible?
Partially. The main house and banquet hall are single-story and have no internal steps, which helps. However, not all accommodations are fully wheelchair-accessible. Some of the huts have steps to enter. One or two huts are listed as having no steps at the entrance (for “reduced mobility”), but paths between huts do have stairs (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you require wheelchair access, it’s best to contact the venue directly – they can suggest which bedrooms or huts are more accessible and possibly set up ramps or alternative rooms as needed.
What should I bring or not bring to Appleby House?
Guests should pack as they would for a rural retreat. Bring layers and a warm jacket (it can get cool in winter evenings) and don’t forget insect repellent in summer for outdoor parties. Sturdy shoes are advised for walking in the gardens and up to Rough Island. Since there’s no 24/7 reception, make sure to note any email instructions (entry codes) sent by the hosts (www.ticketfairy.com ) – plan your arrival within their stated check-in times (around 3 pm). Also bring any groceries or special food if you like, as the property is mainly self-catering (the kitchen has all cooking gear, but no meals are provided) (www.ticketfairy.com ). There’s laundry on site, but other meals or services will require driving to Mapua/Richmond. Finally, treat the place respectfully: drive slowly on the grounds, use provided key/acces codes, and follow the house rules (e.g. no indoor smoking) (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Is there a dress code or attire suggestion?
There is no formal dress code for the venue itself – treatment is more casual. Guests often dress comfortably for the countryside. For events, attendees usually follow whatever the occasion calls for (e.g. smart-casual for a retreat day, formal or semi-formal for a wedding). On the flip side, bring jackets or wraps if pathways or the evening become chilly. Comfortable shoes are wise, since some grass and paths can be uneven. In short, plan your attire around the weather and your event’s theme, but there are no off-limits fashions specifically for Appleby House.
Can I arrive early or leave items before check-in?
Early arrivals or late departures should be coordinated with Appleby House in advance. Because there is no staffed front desk, the usual check-in is from around 3 pm (check-out by 10 am) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Guests normally can’t access the rooms before official check-in time unless prior permission is arranged. If you arrive early, you might be able to wait in the lounge or garden, but often the site is used by event staff up until check-in. If you need to drop bags earlier in the day (for example, if a ceremony is held here in the afternoon and you’re coming from out of town), contact the hosts to see if they can accommodate it. Communication is easiest by email or phone, since they don’t have an on-site office.
