12 Of The Best Large Group Airbnbs For An Epic New Zealand Vacay

With a delightfully pointy roof, epic lake and volcano views—and a lower level bedroom that’s semi self-contained for those crew members who like their privacy—Jo’s Place is the New Zealand large group Airbnb of our dreams.

This six-bedroom home sits at Lake Tarawera, which means you’re mere minutes from water activities, boat ramps and walking tracks. Plus your accommodation has a super-versatile layout, which is pretty handy if you’re travelling with different generations of family or friends. The most private bedroom is downstairs with its own external access, ensuite and kitchenette, while the other five bedrooms are split across levels one, two and three. 

The living space, with its cosy wooden ceiling and indoor fireplace, is open plan, and it opens up to a fabulous deck with a barbecue and outdoor dining table for group feasts. Bring your bathers, because later you’re going to want to take a dip in your private spa pool where you can linger over the view with a vino or two. 

What was once a rustic New Zealand workshop filled with useful things, is now a large group Airbnb with serious vacay appeal. The Shed is tucked away in the charming village of Taieri Mouth just 30 minutes from Dunedin, and with three big bedrooms, three bathrooms, plus a spare room, it ticks a lot of boxes when you’ve got multiple crew members to appease.

First up, let’s talk location. The Shed is built upon an actual rock face with private access to the beach, so Insta pics and walks along the sand are practically mandatory. Inside, expect a mix of new and recycled furniture, plus huge windows that let the light (and those views) shine right on in. 

Outside, you’ve got a large wraparound deck, with loads of seating where you can mooch and enjoy the last of the sun. Oh, and did we mention the private fire pit zone, or the games room with its snooker table, dart board and arcade game?

There’s your run-of-the-mill large group Airbnb and then there’s Cresta Vista—a New Zealand stay that can fit a small army inside. This epic pad has enough room for 16 peeps, split across seven bedrooms, and it boasts a main house and attached two-bedroom guest house just to add to the appeal.

Those who love being immersed in nature will love this accommodation. Not only does it sit on 1.2 hectares of semi-rural land at Coatesville’s highest point (with a flock of sheep no less) but it has four whole living rooms each with spectacular views. 

If the gang has kids in tow, they are well and truly sorted, thanks to The Playroom—an area in the single garage with beanbags, toys, books and a play mat. There’s also The Hangout, a place where bigger kids can have a ball playing ping ping pong or giving the arcade machine a go. There’s also a home theatre and a DVD collection for that post-fun movie night.

Anyone a sucker for a spot of glamping? The Pōhutukawa Tent at Wild Canvas is perhaps the most unique large group stay we’ve ever seen. Yes it’s a tent (two in fact), but they are luxe ones at that—connected via a glass corridor and offering four lavish bedrooms, each with comfortable beds, high-quality linen, and stunning views. Woo!

Book a stay at this New Zealand spot and the crew gets two full bathrooms and an actual powder room to use and, for those keen on a pamper sesh, add-on massages are available. The adventure lovers among you might prefer to book an optional clay target shooting experience, or you can just lie back and relax in your private hot tub instead. You choose.

Later, you can get the double-sided indoor fireplace oven going to make it nice and toasty inside your tent. There’s an outdoor pizza oven so you can munch on freshly made slices topped with your favourite ingredients, and a barbecue too, in case a steak dinner calls. After all that you can gather the gang around the fire pit and prepare to do it all again tomorrow.

Vacay with vino take your fancy? This Airbnb in Martinborough—the wine village in New Zealand’s Wairarapa region known for its epic Pinot Noir—will take your large group getaway up a notch. It’s quite simply stunning to look at, with its white facade and ornate details, and it can sleep up to eight peeps across four seriously swish bedrooms.

Inside, expect leaded windows, statement print curtains and chandeliers worthy of a royal abode. There’s a large group dining zone off the full kitchen for feasts with the gang, plus an outdoor dining area with views of the vines.

Glass of red later under the pergola perhaps? What about a barbecue with the crew on the sheltered deck? You can sink into an azure blue chair by the ornate fireplace in the sitting room come nightfall, get out the playing cards and plan your next day.

How about an historic Kauri homestead that sleeps 14 and gets you access to a shared resort pool? Hololio House is a pretty special spot, not least because you get views to the world-class Hololio Polo Grounds from the large verandah. 

Your New Zealand large group Airbnb is a 200-acre farm located along the Wairoa River terrace. From December to March you get to see the horses at the polo club in action, while over winter the area is dedicated to sheep farming. Pack your sneakers and take the ten-minute stroll to historic Clevedon Village—you’ll find some cafes here for your daily coffee fix, plus two restaurants, a pub, supermarket and more to explore.

There’s other stuff to do here too. Follow the scenic walking trail to the Clevedon Village Farmers' Market (it’s open Sunday mornings and Friday evenings during the summer) and you can stock up on fresh local produce for that barbecue you’ll be firing up back home later. The Hauraki Gulf is easy to access too. You can go via ferry or private boat from the nearby Pine Harbour marina.

Say G’day to your own mountain getaway. Luxury Mountain View Villa is a five-bedroom stay that combines just the right amount of serenity and convenience—you’re in Christchurch, surrounded by nature, and yet with shops and eateries within a short drive.

Need to stock up before getting the nominated chef to whip up something fabulous in the gourmet kitchen? A handy supermarket is about ten minutes away, hooray! (It’s also near all the cafes, restaurants and takeaways in case it all feels like too much trouble and you just want to get something in.)

While you’ve got a big terrace and garden to meander at your leisure, bring those comfy shoes because there’s also a lovely nature reserve within walking distance, with hiking trails to explore. Want more from your New Zealand large group stay? Halswell Quarry Park is about 3km away, it’s a 60-hectare park with walking trails, botanical gardens, and picnic areas.

Embrace a bit of history at Ounuwhao Harding House, a picture-perfect Kauri villa dating back to 1894. Once you’ve stepped inside you’ll see why it’s a seriously memorable New Zealand large group stay—there’s retro tiles, statement wallpaper and vintage charm by the bucketload.

Your Airbnb is located opposite Matauwhi Bay—it’s a favoured mooring-spot for yachts so there’s plenty of water action to take in, and you’ve got wraparound verandahs from which you can soak in that view too. You’re also a ten-minute stroll from Russell village, which has seaside cafés and restaurants, New Zealand’s oldest church, and a calm, sheltered bay.

Back at base, space-wise you’re sorted thanks to the six bedrooms and five bathrooms, plus the large dining room with bar that opens out to the verandah where you can dine outside if the mood takes. Add in the barbecue and loads of outdoor tables and chairs with sea views, and we reckon it’s a top spot for a New Zealand getaway.

Wooden beams, cosy couches and the best dining table with a view. Aubrey House is a gorgeous stone cottage just steps from Bremner Bay and an achievable 40-minute drive to the ski fields of Wānaka.

Your New Zealand Airbnb sleeps eight, no trouble, with four bedrooms (one being a single) in the main house and a separate studio above the garage that sleeps two. Helpfully, this space includes a small kitchenette and an ensuite so whoever stays here can relish the privacy. 

We recommend heading outside, firing up the brazier and taking a pew on the comfy outdoor couch. It’s a top spot for savouring the mountain views with a glass of the good stuff. Prefer a tipple elsewhere? You’re a stone’s throw from the lake and an easy stroll to town, so picnics and pints can be on the agenda no problem.

Oh hello Queenstown, we’ve been dreaming of you—and an Airbnb with a hot tub and mountain views just makes you even more alluring! Lookout Lodge is a modern four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home with uninterrupted vistas of Lake Wakatipu, and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to feast your eyes on all that good stuff from morning to night.

Take a seat in the open plan living and dining space back home, and you only need to swivel your head to one side to see the mountains. There’s an outdoor deck to lounge on too, plus a tempting round outdoor hot tub that might pair nicely with a glass of bubbles.

Stay here and your large group isn’t just in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations, they’re just 15 short minutes from the centre of town where all the boutiques, bars and eateries call out to be explored.

Travel just an hour out of downtown Auckland and you’ll find yourself at a seriously magical place. Kawakawa Bay Haven is a large group getaway that offers the perfect escape from city life in New Zealand. Book a stay here and you can expect to spend time on a lush outdoor deck with water views across to Rangitoto Island, glass of wine optional

Your 220 sqm Airbnb is tucked away in the base of a hill. It’s architecturally-designed with glass walls that allow you to think that you might be floating on the water. There’s three bedrooms to choose from, and if you draw straws and get the master you’re in for a treat—it offers superb ocean views through the full length bifolding doors.

Want to get out and about? Take a stroll to Waiti Bay and enjoy a dip; or toddle the 25 minutes to the beautiful 1.4km stretch of sand known as Tawhitokino. Back home after all that fresh air, you can fire up the barbecue and take to your sheltered courtyard entertainment area to watch the sunset.

This Taranaki Airbnb really takes beachfront living up a notch: it’s literally located on a sand dune, in one of the best spots for surfing in the whole of New Zealand no less. 

Take a load off on your private verandah and watch those waves break right in front of you. (The legends that own this place also provide beach essentials like towels, an umbrella and snorkelling gear so you and your large group can get right into the wet stuff and have some fun). 

Your two-bedroom home sleeps six and gives 180-degree views spanning the ocean and farmland to Mount Taranaki. It’s serene and secluded and yet you’re only five minutes from the area’s cafes, eateries and an award-winning fish and chip shop for post-surf eats. Yum!