A Bach is a peculiarly New Zealand word to describe a rustic holiday home. It can be in the mountains or by the beach or lake. It is definitely never in suburbia.
Rosemary is a New Zealander who loves Baches and what they represent
Five things you should know about NZ Baches…
1. A Bach is rustic – by this I mean they usually look like they could do with some repairs, or a paint, the garden is often non existent or a bit overgrown. The toilet or shower might be outside.
They were often thrown up, rather than built, often by relatively inexperienced but keen folk, with a focus on shelter rather than opulence.
2. A Bach is a place to relax and play – so feature toys on the lawn, and shelves of great reading, rather than vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers.
Picture something more comfortable than a tent, but less grand that a three bedroom house. An overgrown garden is common, because Baches are for relaxing.
3. Baches are old – Many are intergenerational family Baches, some have even been put up on land that does not belong to the owners, but common law allows them to remain – though some are being moved along.
4. Baches are always somewhere beautiful – Wherever you find a beautiful outdoors areas in NZ in the mountains or by the sea you will find much loved Baches.
These days they often sit alongside grander houses, but the humble Bach often remains, much loved and used, though sometimes in need of a lick of paint.
5. If you are invited to stay in someone’s Bach – say yes! You are in for a great relaxing time and a rare glimpse of New Zealanders at play. BTW in Southland a Bach may be referred to as a Crib.
We have just had a magic four days staying in a Bach in the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island of New Zealand – we found on Airbnb – Ngakuta Bay Bach, Read more about that here.
