- Julie and Nik Du Pain bought a six-bedroom log cabin in Ōkaihau, inspired by Yellowstone.
- The cabin, built with Canadian White Pine logs, was shipped from Canada and reassembled in New Zealand.
- The couple converted it into a bed and breakfast but are selling due to ill health, asking $2.55 million.
Whakatāne couple Julie and Nik Du Pain couldn’t believe their luck when they set their eyes on 92 Pukepoto Road, in Ōkaihau, Far North.
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The six-bedroom cabin, built with Canadian White Pine logs, looked exactly like the homes found in Yellowstone National Park.
Julie told OneRoof that owning a log home had been on the couple's bucket list for a long time, but they hadn't expected to find one in New Zealand.
The couple came across the listing after deciding to move to the Far North to be closer to Julie's elderly parents.
“When we saw this place for the first time, it just reminded us so much of Montana and Yellowstone Park,” she said.
Nik is originally from the US, and the couple had fond memories of their time at the park about a decade earlier.
The cabin was crafted in Canada using Canadian White Pine logs and assembled in New Zealand. Photo / Supplied
Guests book Yellowstone Lodge for its uniqueness and tranquil location. Photo / Supplied
“As soon as we saw it, we fell in love. It's just so quiet and peaceful. You can’t see another house from the property – you are just looking over amazing hills and untouched farmland.”
The cabin's previous owners were similarly hooked on the Yellowstone style. They built the 738sqm property to order using 100-year-old Canadian White Pine logs. “They specifically wanted a real Canadian log house done the proper way,” Julie said.
It was carefully cut and assembled in Canada before being pulled apart and shipped in 14 containers to New Zealand. A Canadian crew then flew to New Zealand to oversee the rebuild on the 11ha site.
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The ambitious passion project started in early 2007, but final sign-off didn’t come until about 15 years later. By that time, the owners' plans had changed, and the wife put the property on the market after her husband died.
Julie and Nic snapped it up in 2024 and converted it into a bed and breakfast.
“We put everything we had into it and then set it up as Yellowstone Lodge and just got stuck in.”
The couple added kitchenettes to the three guest rooms and established an owner’s residence downstairs, an extra bedroom, a large lounge, a games room and a billiard room.
It was renamed Yellowstone Lodge after being inspired by the log homes surrounding Yellowstone National Park in the US. Photo / Supplied
The lodge has three guest suites, which have their own ensuites and kitchenettes. Photo / Supplied
“We didn’t have a lot of money left [after buying it], so we put all our time and energy into it ourselves.”
Within the first year, the couple hosted a raft of visitors – both local and international. The guest list includes three overseas VIPs, who loved that it was in such a private spot.
“The reviews we’ve got on it are outstanding. It’s pretty much 10/10 on everything.”
Julie said living in a log cabin had far exceeded their expectations, but ill health meant that they were selling it much sooner than planned. The property has an asking price of $2.55m.
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Ash Boyd said: “You won't find anything like it north of Kerikeri or maybe not even in the North Island. The house is just stunning.
Boyd said it would suit someone who wanted to take over the successful lodge business or have it as their own private retreat. “You can helicopter in and you are there to enjoy it on your own.”
- 92 Pukepoto Road, in Ōkaihau, Far North, has an asking price of $2.55m
