Brookside Cottage is set on ten acres with fabulous views across farmland to the beautiful Hawkdun Range. It is the perfect place to base yourself for a weekend getaway, a family holiday, an overnight stay if cycling the rail trail or for simply chilling out.
Accommodation
2 x bedroom (4 persons max).
Bed 1 – Queen. Bed 2 – Super King but can be made into Twin.
Modern kitchen, bathroom and laundry with 2nd toilet in laundry.
BBQ
Heatpump/air conditioner.
Smart TV with Netflix.
Good cellphone reception and free wifi.
Pricing
$150.00 per night.
Location
If cycling the rail trail access to the property is directly from the trail about 600m from Lauder Village. Look for the red sign with the name “Brookside” on it beside the trail. Follow the path through the field up to the cottage. Please leave all gates as you find them.
If coming by road from the south we are around 800m on the right after leaving the village. From the north you will see us on the left, red roof, NZ flag flying in the garden.
Gallery
Things To Do In The Area
If you would like to explore the area , below are a few ideas for places to check out.
Visit the historic old gold mining village of Ophir where you can follow a walking trail around the township taking in the special character that Ophir has retained.
Drive across to St Bathans and the Blue Lake. There is a walking trail to follow where you can explore the history of the village. Drop in to the Vulcan Hotel, (which reputedly has a resident ghost) for some refreshment. Detour on the way to visit the quaint settlement of Cambrian. Check out the old school which has a great history of the area on it’s walls. If you are there at the right time of the year the display of daffodils and bluebells under the woodland area is incredible.
At Oturehua in the Ida Valley, stop and check out the oldest continuously running grocery store in the country, Gilchrists Store . See how shopping was done 120 years ago. Just out of Oturehua is Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead (well worth a visit).
Slightly further afield travel to the Maniototo district and Ranfurly, the art deco town of the south. Again, there is a town walk which highlights some of the unique architectural style of Ranfurly. There is also an Art Deco Gallery where the displays bring the 1930’s era back to life.
Just up the road is the gorgeous village of Naseby. Historic – of course, quaint – you bet, worth a visit – no question. As they say in Naseby – 2000 feet above worry level. The one “must do” in Naseby is time spent curling at the International Indoor Curling Centre there – great fun, but take your jacket as there is ice involved.
Places to Eat
LAUDER VILLAGE
Lauder Hotel – great “down home” country pub fare with an excellent selection of local wines and craft beers. Outdoor garden to relax and revive. Please book ahead.
Stationside Cafe – right on the rail trail, offering excellent coffee and delicious homemade baking. Their light lunch menu is excellent.
OPHIR
Pitches Store – set in a restored 1880’s schist stone building, Pitches have a varied menu of the highest restaurant standard. Of course the wine and beer selection is first class and features local wines and craft beers.
Blacks Hotel – this 1920’s art deco hotel offers a great lunch and dinner menus, whether its a light platter or something more substantial. Quality wines, beers and spirits of which many are locally produced.
OMAKAU
Omakau Commercial Hotel – Lunch options, restaurant dinners, beer garden, and winner of Best Country Hotel.
Muddy Creek Cafe – good food, good coffee, a great little cafe to take a break.
Chatto Creek Tavern – the hub of the Chatto Creek area, this historic little pub welcomes both locals and visitors. Set right on the rail trail with a sheltered garden to eat outdoors, you won’t be disappointed with the fare on offer. Really good menu selection, really good wines, really good beers and a really good time can be had here.
White Horse Hotel – Becks. Well worth a stop, this country hotel offers a large range of food, beverages and coffee. They are also home to an antiques shop which is well worth a browse around.
Of course there are a multitude of restaurants, cafes and bars within the wider Alexandra/Clyde basin and numerous vineyards have eateries and tasting rooms. Everything is worth a visit so take your pick.