Coldstream Estate and The Whare

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE WHARE AT COLDSTREAM ESTATE

Built in 1914, The Whare was designed by notable Canterbury architect Cecil Wood, whose commissioned buildings included Racecourse Hill, the Christ's College Hare Memorial Library and Gothic-style Memorial Dining Hall, and the Christchurch's Public Trust Office, but perhaps his greatest accomplishment was designing Wellington's St Paul's Cathedral.

The Whare served as the station cookhouse feeding station staff and visiting shearers until 1920 when it became the community centre for the Coldstream community housing the library, playcentre and church. Both the library and the church still remain, with services held once or twice a year. It is also available for small, intimate weddings.

The Whare is situated in a picturesque part of the property, surrounded by established trees. In recent years it has been lovingly transformed into private accommodation, while retaining as much of its historical character as possible. It is fully equipped with a fabulous large open-plan kitchen and dining room complete with cosy open fire, separate bathroom featuring a clawfoot bath, and a snug area with log burner. There is also a large outdoor area with barbeque for those long summer evenings, as well as a well-stocked library of books and DVDs available to bide time on those lazy days.

Bring your own food and enjoy the large outdoor dining area complete with BBQ or treat yourselves and order a dinner hamper or platter or join your hosts for a relaxed country dinner in the main homestead (check out the Rates & Extras section for more info). Your own personal chef can also be organised on request in advance, or if you would rather eat out, both Geraldine and Ashburton have a wide array of eating options.

For those interested in farming, tours can be arranged with prior notice. While those keen on fishing are welcome to explore the mighty Rangitata River, with an unprecedented 5km of river access directly from the farm, or you can fish in the surf with the Pacific Ocean less than 2kms away. The Rangitata River is famous for its salmon fishery, and favoured by salmon anglers particularly in the surf at the river's mouth. Best fishing at the mouth is from mid-November to mid-March. The Rangitata is also noted for its sea-run brown trout early in the season, as well as whitebait, while at other times of the year it is also possible to catch kahawai as big schools are often seen near the mouth.

Get active exploring the farm on foot or take a long walk along the nearby stoney beach (NO swimming), feel free to bring your mountain bike with many farm tracks and the river bed or we can also provide accommodation for your equine friends if you would like to bring them as well to experience some safe farm riding.

The surrounding area is also worth exploring too. Within 30 minutes of the property you'll find the picturesque town of Geraldine with its many great shops. It is also the home of the Talbot Forest Cheese factory and Barkers, as well as the notable Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum, one of the finest collects of vintage machinery, veteran cars, tractors and machinery in the Southern Hemisphere. Peel Forest with its abundance of walking tracks, canyoning and whitewater rafting options and horse trekking is also nearby, or take a drive to Ashburton or Lake Hood.

Skiers will also love that Mt Hutt Ski Field is about an hours drive from The Whare. Other skifields at Mt Dobson and Round Hill are also within an easy driving distance.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE WHARE AT COLDSTREAM ESTATE

Text and Image Credits: Booking.com