Our beautiful property is situated approximately 63 km north of Christchurch and a one hour drive from Christchurch airport. The farm is 2000 hectares of some flat to rolling downs but mostly hill country land on which we graze sheep and beef cattle. We are situated along the south branch of the Wai...
Our beautiful property is situated approximately 63 km north of Christchurch and a one hour drive from Christchurch airport. The farm is 2000 hectares of some flat to rolling downs but mostly hill country land on which we graze sheep and beef cattle. We are situated along the south branch of the Waipara River.
Our place is not just a farm it is a way of life. The property is home to around 4500 Romney sheep and 120 Angus cattle and has been owned and operated for over 3 generations by the Forrester family.
Take in the breathtaking views from the top of the tussock clad hills to the fascinating perfectly round boulders along the river bed. These spherical stones or concretions can be found in varying sizes dotted along the river bed that runs through the farm.
We love watching the reaction of our guests when they bottle feed lambs, experience sheep shearing or marvel at the view from the top of the farm.
There is a large range of other activities for you to experience such as:
- Bottle feed the pet lambs (seasonal) around August/September.
- Meet Barney our resident Donkey plus Wilby and Ginger the Kune Kune pigs.
- Hand feed our pet sheep. Help feed the chickens and collect the eggs.
- Watch a sheep shearing demonstration or if you are lucky you may get to experience the shearing gang in full swing around May/June/July.
- Join Bruce on a guided 4 wheel drive tour of the farm (by arrangement).
- Join in the annual tailing of lambs in spring usually around October/November.
- Fishing for brown trout along the south branch of the Waipara River or take a trip to the Hurunui River 25 minutes away you may catch a salmon or a trout.
- Farm walks and hill country trekking.
- Bring your own mountain bike for an adventure tour around hill country tracks.
- Rabbit shooting (night spotlighting is also offered please ask).
- Join the boys on a pig hunting expedition usually during the weekend (by arrangement).
- Just relax and enjoy the wide-open spaces and tranquillity of rural life on a farm.
There is always something happening on a working farm so why not come and see for yourself ... we know you will love it!
Nearby Attractions
- Amberley township is 20 minutes drive away with a good selection of shops and restaurants (including the well known Nor' Wester Cafe).
- Pegasus, Amberley and Hawarden Country golf clubs are all close at hand.
- Easy day trips to Whale Watching at Kaikoura and the Hamner Springs Thermal pools.
- Easy day trip to Mount Lyford ski field.
- We are 15 minutes from Waipara Valley vineyards and cafes and 20 minutes from the Weka Pass Railway.
- 20 minutes from Weka Pass horse treks
Essential Stay Info
Cottage
Family Friendly
Farmstay experience
Rural Views
Check in time: Check in after 3 pm unless by alternative arrangement Check out time: Check out by 10 am unless by alternative arrangement
Eating and Drinking
Enjoy the spacious dining room and kitchen with the table comfortably seating 8 adults. With a full kitchen, this house is fully self-contained and perfect for preparing your own meals. There is BBQ on the patio. The house has a laundry and clothesline.
Bedding Configuration
Bedroom 1: Queen bed
Bedroom 2: Queen bed
Bedroom 3: 2 x Single beds
Bedroom 4: 2 x Single beds (bunk room)
Bedroom 1: Queen bed
Bedroom 2: Queen bed
Bedroom 3: 2 x Single beds
Bedroom 4: 2 x Single beds (bunk room)
More info about the property
The house faces the northwest and is positioned well for full sun and looks out into the front garden.
Tranquil setting with north facing patio and BBQ area enjoys wonderful views of Canterbury fo...
The house faces the northwest and is positioned well for full sun and looks out into the front garden.
Tranquil setting with north facing patio and BBQ area enjoys wonderful views of Canterbury foothills. Use the tranquillity of the hills as a backdrop to relax under the stars.
Well heated with log burner in lounge and night store heating in the hallway.
Cleaning charge applies.
Unique kiwi experiences for you
Feed the pet sheep and lambs and meet the other farm friendly pets while experiencing life on an authentic kiwi working farm.
Sheep shearing demonstrations and farm tours of our hill country with amazing views from the top of the farm
We are close to many award winning vineyards in the Waipara area. Iron ridge sculpture park and the Weka pass railway.
Have a question about this property? Click here to send us a message
What we love about this property
Great walking tracks, river walks, wild life, hill country views and close to Waipara vineyards and cafes. Extensive gardens to enjoy
We have many farm animals for children to meet and feed. Jos...
Great walking tracks, river walks, wild life, hill country views and close to Waipara vineyards and cafes. Extensive gardens to enjoy
We have many farm animals for children to meet and feed. Jossy and Wilby the pigs, free range chickens, pet sheep/lambs and the pekking ducks.
If you wish to explore the farm we can make a picnic basket for you to take and enjoy at your leisure. We have walking tracks to explore the hills or you can walk along the river to the concretions in the Black gorge. The black gorge is fascinating as it has round boulders or concretions that date back to 28 million years when the rocks where seabed. Lots of fossils can be seen as you walk along the river.
Reviews
Reviews
This was one of our top three stops on our world trip. Absolutely great house for family (cosy and large) at an awesome place (very quiet).
Very good fishing places. Kids loved to bottle-feed the lamps. After 2 month they still miss this place very much. Karen and Bruce are wonderful people and great hosts! Thank you for all you showed us and you gave us!
Excellent weekend. The owners are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The accommodation is very comfortable and very warm and much larger than we expected. The perfect place to get away from it all. No mobile coverage is wonderful for a complete break.
What a fantastic place to visit, the hosts were very friendly and helpful, we will be back
This was one of our top three stops on our world trip. Absolutely great house for family (cosy and large) at an awesome place (very quiet).
Very good fishing places. Kids loved to bottle-feed the lamps. After 2 month they still miss this place very much. Karen and Bruce are wonderful people and great hosts! Thank you for all you showed us and you gave us!
Excellent weekend. The owners are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The accommodation is very comfortable and very warm and much larger than we expected. The perfect place to get away from it all. No mobile coverage is wonderful for a complete break.
About your host, Karen and Bruce
Bruce and Karen would like to welcome you to the beautiful Waipara Gorge, South Island, NZ
The Farm stay began in 2012 when we decided it was time to do something a little different. Visitors to Karetu would comment about how lucky we were to have such an idyllic place to live, and we decided to start sharing it.
The best part for us is meeting guests from all around the world, and being able to share with them our love of the land and this place we call home Aotearoa - New Zealand.
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