High Country Wilderness Retreat

15/12/2015

WEATHER AND ROAD REPORT

Week of Monday 7th November 2016 - Sunday 13 November

Road is okay for 2WD VEHICLES. Check for stock/animals on the road, travel at reduced speed over hill (approximately 40km as top speed over the gravel road until you drop down again to the flat.

Rain is due over the weekend of the 11th. Rain at this stage unlikely to affect fords and rivers.

For weather check this link http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/kaikoura

Enquire about our FREE SHUTTLE..

Kaikoura Weather Forecast and current temperature situation. Visit MetService.com for up to date weather information in your region.

03/12/2015

Traveling into the retreat along the Clarence Valley Road in your own vehicle is only recommended in 4WD vehicles. Please check the road report and any updates.. Some guests prefer to travel in themselves. Please be aware, however, that there are animals on the road and the roads are narrow with corrugated earth. Unless you are well travelled on country roads, we would prefer to pick you up.

Free shuttle Clarence Valley Road, School Carpark to the lodge. Please confirm a time at least 2 hours prior to shuttle to avoid delays. make sure your contact details are correct to avoid any problems with contact or pickup, Pick ups before 10pm only,
Buses travel from Kaikoura and Blenhem. Ask to get off at Clarence. Recommended bus services are: Atomic Shuttles and The Naked Bus.

Driving Instructions
Come 10km along the gravel road. Up and over the hill, and you will cross the Clarence River again.

Ahead is a T-intersection with a sign that reads WaiauToa. Turn right come 3.5 km through a shallow ford and through the pine forest. We are on the other side of the pine forest. Inside the gate a sign reads WaiauToa.

29/11/2015

The WaiauToa Room is the largest room in the homestead, 26mtrs sq, with garden views and an original fireplace. It has a seating area, drawers, dresser phone and wifi. an opens out to a North facing balcony.

28/11/2015

Matai forest were burnt off in the large scale fires that decimated bush life in NZ about 150 years ago. Those that remained were sought after for their wood. Because of the remoteness of this track, these Matai have grown to a decent size and height.

A hundred metres from the gates of WaiauToa, up the McLean River, is a 6km walk to the Matai grove. High Country Wilderness Retreat offer a free guided walk for visitors. It requires average fitness and mobility and good walking shoes, as there are some steep inclines and rock faces.

25/11/2015

Food! We've had several msgs about food... bring your own, cook your own and share with other guests if you wish! Storage spaces and guest fridges available. We do have simple food on offer. This is so guests, who have brought supplies, don't go hungry should they run short, or for those who simply want a change from cooking themselves. We can do Pizza: Soup: Vegetarian wraps or salads... fresh from the garden along with slices and of course guests to the home stay can order breakfast: organic muesli and yoghurt with seasonal fruit, continental and vegan.

We have fresh eggs and a variety of spices that guests can add to their own cooking free of charge when available. The garden is full of plums, cherries, grapes and other fruit that guests may help themselves to while staying— all organic! The advantages of cook your own are many! Guests can come and go and eat at different times, or as a group. Different nationalities means that guests may not easily be catered for— and your host is vegetarian.

Your nearest supermarket is Kaikoura New World, or Blenheim has a wide variety of food choices if traveling from the north.

20/11/2015

This room gets afternoon sun and overlooks the garden. This is a smaller room, but still sizable at 13 mtrs sq. Usually suited to a single person. Has drawers, wardrobe and WIFI. Breakfasts options include continental, vegetarian and gluten free. Fresh herbal teas from a collection of wild herbals and organic coffee served complimentary with your stay.

20/11/2015

Photos of the Church Room. This room is 24 sq metres. Has a lovely original church pew, donated, thankyou, by Isobel Green. It's a fantastic room that opens to a double balcony over looking our garden. For booking see booking.com or enquire here.

16/11/2015

Check out our last minute booking rates! Bookings made the
same day are R E D U C E D & start from $80 per room. Check
for availability.

Usual prices for two day visits are $130 per night for large rooms (couple) & $98 for single rooms (with dbl bed). Cheers.

16/11/2015

Thanks to the people that have liked this page on FB. It's had a lot of interest of NZ Vegetarians and Vegans website too, so thanks everyone. We've just gone online and have our first online booking yesterday from France! Thank u! A good place to get away from it all. We're currently letting four rooms: two v big double rooms 26 sq mtrs, with balconies, a double room 13 sq mtrs, with garden views and a double room with private patio.

16/11/2015

Bruno, Black, and Billy Boy, in the orchard.

12/11/2015

This is an amazing location and so lovely to share it with others. The homestead has been going through renovations over the last year and is still in the process of being restored to its usual, or unusual glory.

12/11/2015