The Island Gin Bach. The birthplace of Island Gin.

AS FEATURED IN
Condé Nast Traveler · Lonely Planet · HOME New Zealand · NZ Life & Leisure · Australian Financial Review

THE ISLAND GIN BACH 
Medlands Beach, Aotea Great Barrier Island, New Zealand

A New Zealand bach is an iconic part of our culture, close to nature, pared back, and made for time to slow down.

The Island Gin Bach is a carefully renovated, off grid coastal stay for two at Medlands Beach, 88 steps from the dunes. It sits alongside the Wetland Folly, an award recognised pavilion designed by Herbst Architects and featured in HOME New Zealand, giving the property a rare combination of a calm, considered coastal aesthetic and architectural intent.

This is also where Island Gin began, in the bach kitchen, with early experiments on a small copper still. Today, Island Gin is internationally recognised, including Country Winner New Zealand at the World Gin Awards for London Dry Gin 2025 and Navy Gin 2024, and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022.

THE WETLAND FOLLY
The Wetland Folly was created as an outdoor room for cooking, gathering and lingering, with open fire evenings and sunset light across the wetlands.

DARK SKIES AT MEDLANDS
Aotea is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and Medlands Beach is one of the best places on the island to witness it. From the bach, it is an easy walk along Sandhills Road to the Good Heavens stargazing experience.

THE DISTILLERY
Island Gin is distilled in Kaitoke, around 15 minutes by car away. Tastings can be arranged by appointment. 

STAY DETAILS
Two guests, one bedroom
Off grid solar power
Rainwater collected on site and carefully filtered
Private access to the Wetland Folly pavilion
Only 88 steps to Medlands Beach and the wetlands are at the bottom of the property. 
An easy walk to Good Heavens stargazing on Medlands Beach
Island Gin distillery in Kaitoke, around 20 minutes away

ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS
For enquiries or to book a stay, please email:
bach@islandgin.com