Big Sky, French Farm

07/02/2026

Hey these are great. Could we get any of those? The link I got sent ages ago expired!

16/01/2025

Good information here on the planetary parade that guy can see in the night sky now.

If you have heard about the planetary parade in our skies, this is how to spot it.

Just after sunset, you will be able to see four naked-eye planets draped across our evening skies for the summer months. Venus and Saturn will huddle close together in the west. Jupiter will be shining brightly in the north, and the distinctively red Mars will be easily visible in the eastern skies. Both Uranus and Neptune are also visible, but you will need a pair of binoculars or a telescope to see those two.

14/01/2025

Smokie D is hanging up his tongs for a while to take a break - so we are introducing Big Sky Retreat. You can now book all of Big Sky to enjoy at your leisure.

We currently don't have any bookings for this coming Easter - we have a minimum two-night stay.

Big Sky Retreat is the perfect getaway. From here you can enjoy all that the Banks Peninsula has on offer.

Big Sky Retreat is a slice of paradise at French Farm on the Banks Peninsula, just over an hour from Christchurch and 15 minutes from Akaroa.

Big Sky Retreat can accommodate eight adults - two double bedrooms in the main house and two beautiful yurts, far enough away for privacy, but close enough that you all feel together.

Each room has its own bathroom and is very private.

We have updated our website to show photos of the house
www.bigskynz.co.nz

It’s the perfect location for a family reunion or a getaway with friends - it is also pet-friendly.

13/09/2024

We are only taking direct bookings for our next season at Big Sky. We offer one-night stays in beautiful warm Yurts, plus amazing BBQ food. If you are interested in booking please contact [email protected]

01/04/2024

We are now taking bookings for Big Sky Retreat - that is the whole property and the two yurts. A wonderful place to spend time with friends or family.

Welcome to Big Sky Retreat, French Farm Big Sky Retreat is the perfect getaway. From here you can enjoy all that the Banks Peninsula has on offer.Big Sky Retreat is a slice of paradise at French Farm on the Banks Peninsula, just over an hour from Christchurch and 15 minutes from Akaroa. Big Sky Retr...

22/12/2023

19/12/2023

FIVE DAYS TO GO TO CHRISTMAS -LET'S TALK TURKEY

Thought I would share with you one of my favourite ways to cook Christmas Turkey - use a BBQ!

I’m use my Traeger pellet off set smoker. This recipe is a Kiwi variation on a recipe for USA Thanksgiving holiday. I am using a bird that weighs about 5-5.5kg. This should feed up to 8-12 people. I set the temperature for 135 Celsius for up to four hours
It all starts with getting the bird, then the bbq ready.

Prep:
If frozen start defrosting 3 days prior to Xmas, this leaves another day for brining before cooking on Christmas day.
Put the bird in an oven tray and into the fridge. Heavier turkeys may take up to four days to defrost in the fridge.

Brining the day before Christmas allows the turkey to remain moist during the cook and allows the bird to cook evenly without drying out. If during the cook you notice wings or leg tips burning, cover those with small alfoil strips.

Remove all inside bits from the turkey, rinse with cold water inside and out, blot dry with paper towels. Pop the turkey into a large pot and cover it with the brine.

The brine:
1.5 cups of coarse salt
1 cup of maple syrup
1 medium onion sliced
4 cloves of crushed garlic
10 black pepper corns
5 bay leaves
2 whole cloves
4 good strips of lemon
16 cups of cold water
4 cups of hot water.

Mix salt hot water until dissolved
Add cold water and all ingredients.
Allow water to cool to room temperature

Add turkey and on top place a sealed plastic bag of cold water to hold the turkey under the brine. Cover with lid and leave in fridge overnight.

Cooking on Xmas day:
You’ll need 6 tablespoons of butter, melted along with a basting brush.
Using the Traeger pellet smoker, allow 3.5 to 4 hours to cook, then rest (covered loosely with foil) for 20-30 mins.
So if you are eating at 1pm that means you put the bird in at 8-30am, out by 12-30 and popping the crackers, and eating by 1!
Allow extra time to get your bbq up to temp before then, so an 8am or earlier start.
Set the temp to 135 Celsius

While the bbq is warming remove the turkey from the brine, wash thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.

Baste the turkey with some of the melted butter. You might want to lay a couple of strips of streaky bacon on the top
When the bbq is at temp put in the bird. You can put a drip tray underneath if you want to. Every hour baste the turkey with the butter.

Using an instant-read temp pen you’ll know it’s cooked correctly with the breast temp reads 77 Celsius and the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) reads 82 Celsius

This recipe is really easy and does have the advantage of freeing up the oven inside for cooking something else and for me bbqing on Xmas day, as on any day, is a very good day.

Merry Xmas and happy eating
Smokie D and Erin

15/12/2023

At Big Sky both our luxurious yurts are very spacious and each yurt has its own bathroom. We offer one-night stays and part of our package includes a three-course BBQ meal and cooked breakfast. We have been open for four years and have only ever received five-star reviews from all of our guests. We are open until the end of March 2024 and reopen in October 2024.

07/12/2023

Love Banks Peninsula!

Nestled in Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is just an hour and a half drive from Christchurch! 🚗

📷

27/11/2023

What a pleasure it is welcoming people to Big Sky. Recently Ann from California came and stayed. Her daughter and friend walked the Banks Track, New Zealand and Ann decided to treat herself to a night with us. Her lovely message to us was "Thank you so much. for such a welcoming stay. I do hope to return. Looking forward to your CA visit."