Wharekauhau Country Estate

Located opposite Ocean Beach, Wharekauhau Country Estate boasts a day spa, a tennis court and an outdoor pool. The lodge offers luxurious accommodation with bay views, included country breakfast and a gourmet 4 course dinner. Each beachfront cottage features a double spa bath, a warming fireplace and antique furniture. All cottages have free WI-FI access, an iPod docking station and an LCD TV with satellite channels. Guests can maintain workouts at the fitness center, or enjoy a relaxing massage. The property also features horse riding, ATV quad biking and archery, as well as a croquet lawn and petanque field.

Start the day with breakfast from the continental buffet or the extensive cooked menu. Dinner features modern interpretations of New Zealand classics, including the famed Texel Lamb. Diners can enjoy a selection of canapes and pre-dinner drinks in the lounge or the sunny courtyard. The kitchen has adopted a locavorian approach to planning menus and selecting produce, using fruits from the orchard, vegetables from the garden, honey from local honey bees, wild fennel from the coast. It is not uncommon to see a Wharekauhau chef roaming the grounds collecting various items for the menu.

Cottage Suite

Indulge in the luxury and comfort of Wharekauhau’s cottage suites high above the thunderous surf of Palliser Bay. Whilst taking in the dramatic vistas, guests are able to relax in absolute bliss and forget the outside world. Be at one with nature amongst the sheep that dot the pastures and enjoy deep sofas, fluffy pillows, heated marbled floors, and homemade cookies are just a few of the luxuries that are associated with the13 Cottage Suites. Each cottage suite features a super king-sized bed or two twin beds, open gas fireplace, under floor heating, heated marble floor in bathroom, heated towel rail and a minibar.

Owners Cottage

The Owners Cottage is a world-class, 4,500 square foot, hideaway that offers guest the best of both worlds, complete privacy, and independence, as well as access to all of the Wharekauhau amenities. The Owners Cottage is located a short stroll from the main lodge with stunning views over the dramatic Palliser Bay. Built to make a statement, and yet it sits as an elegant stand-alone property framed by backdrop of the Rimutaka mountains. The 3.5 bedroom cottage is split between two levels, joined by an Oamaru sandstone staircase. All three guest rooms have stunning views across Palliser Bay, and are filled with natural light; however the downstairs master guest room also opens out onto a private paved courtyard.

Wharepapa Cottage

Wharepapa Cottage sits on the sloping pastures of Wharekauhau. The secluded retreat enjoys endless views of Palliser Bay and Lake Onoke Sandspit. The beautifully designed, warm and homely cottage is an ideal residence for a longer stay and explore the estate and region over a few days. Fully self-maintained, the 3 bedroom cottage has a large open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area. The cottage comes with a full working kitchen, including induction cooktop, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and freezer, can be stocked with pre-arranged grocery items at an additional cost.

Main Lodge

Each room in the Main Lodge has a unique atmosphere, from large open lounges to smaller intimate areas such as the Palliser Room or Drawing Room. The antique furniture and oversized fireplaces throughout the lodge capture the grandeur of yesteryear. At the heart of it all is the Main Lounge, grand in design while remaining intimate. Slide into an inviting sofa or armchair, take a moment to relax or escaping into a good book. The elegant Dining Room flows through to the impressive Country Kitchen and conservatory where large marble benches and an open kitchen offer guests the chance to discuss the chefs’ secrets of the kitchen.

Martinborough Wine Tour

Enjoy wine tours to no less than 29 boutique wineries situated in close proximity to Wharekauhau. Discover the pleasures of the local wineries, tasting some of the world's best Pinot Noir. International wine experts rate Martinborough as one of the finest wine growing regions in New Zealand and its Pinot Noir equal to anything that Burgundy has on offer. This tour is a great introduction to the region. Your personal guide will chauffeur you around the best vineyards and introduce you to the wine-makers for a behind the scenes tour. Included with this tour will be lunch at one of the vineyard cafes or at one of the excellent cafes in the village where you will also have the opportunity to visit the boutique shops.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

With 3,200 acres of private land, including ancient forests, peaceful lakes, and a wild and beautiful coastline, there is little shortage of choice when it comes to choosing a route for mountain biking.

Wharekauhau Farm Tour

This working sheep station tour - in a comfortable 4-wheel drive vehicle - is an absolute must for all Wharekauhau visitors. Bordered by the Rimutaka Ranges and Pacific Ocean, this classic Kiwi Romney sheep station features all the activities that have created New Zealand’s legendary farming heritage, including sheep shearing demonstrations, sheep dogs in action and daily farm events.

Clay Target Shooting

Clay shooting tests the reflexes like no other sport and what better place to enjoy a shoot than Wharekauhau’s own clay-target field. Small calibre guns and rifles are available: .22, .22 magnum, .410 shotgun, 20 gauge and 12 gauge shotguns. Firearms, ammunition, targets and instruction are provided.

Archery

The ancient sport of archery has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity on the back of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Full instruction and a range of archery equipment are available at Wharekauhau such as: recurve bows, left and right handed and compound bows.

ATV Quad Bikes

Ideal for the adventurous, these bikes are loads of fun. Guests are provided with 20 minutes of tuition and can enjoy a great way to travel along the black sand beaches, over scenic riverbanks and along open fields in the company of an experienced guide. Protective clothing provided.

Surfcasting

The bountiful coastline along Palliser Bay offers a variety of interesting and edible fish. Discover the best spots to fish with professional instruction. Alternatively there is complimentary use of fishing equipment for those wishing to fish without a guide.

Cooking Classes

This is much easier than trying to nab one of their signature recipes without them seeing. Join one of the lodge chefs and learn some of their techniques and secrets in producing certain dishes.

Hauora Spa

For over a century Wharekauhau has been regarded as much more than a lodge or a farm. The lands special spirit has captivated, inspired, and resonated deeply with those that have experienced Wharekauhau. …It is a place where the thunderous Pacific waves meet the wind-swept black-sand beaches;… A place where the mountains seem to rise up out of the ocean and kiss the clouds;… A place that the naturally dramatic surroundings can influence healing, self-consciousness, and provide a distinct sense of place and calmness…

Cape Palliser Seal Colony & Lighthouse Tour

Travel along the rugged coastline to the picturesque, historic fishing village of Ngawi, looking back over Palliser Bay to Wharekauhau. Continue on to one of New Zealand’s largest Brown Fur Seal colonies where seals bask in this unspoiled natural environment. Whilst there, climb to the top of the lighthouse for magnificent views. On return, stop at the historical Lake Ferry Hotel for famous fish and chips and some local beverages from the southernmost tip of the North Island.

For more information on the estate, click HERE

For a video tour, click HERE