Simple
but quaint Tree Crop Farm historic cottage nestled on a hillside behind
Akaroa with its wilderness gardens has been featured in a number of
magazines over the years such as "New Zealand House and Garden", "The
New Zealand Gardener" and "Style".
It is also highly recommended in the Lonely Planet Guide as a genuine quirky NZ experience, unpretentious with a great cafe.
NOW WITH FREE WIRELESS ACCESS IN OUR CAFE !!
Tree Crop Farm was also featured in the
"New York Times" travel section a while back and was a finalist in the New Zealand TV series "My House, My Castle" and featured in a segment for "Getaway" Australia TV series.
Publications about the farm and its philosophy include a chapter in "Great Gardens of NZ" by author Derek Fell, "Dominion Post", "Christchurch Star", "Weekend Gardener" "NZ Gardener" "Christchurch Press", "AA Travel Magazine" "Akaroa Mail" as well as
various inflight magazines and rural lifestyle publications over the past 20 years.
The picturesque setting of the house and landscape where everything
happens beside the stream has a reputation for its exclusive back
to nature luxury rustic retreats for lovers. They are also tempted
into its wild gardens with meadow flowers and Tree Crop Farm is famed
for it's coffees and juices. For those who love the English "Gardens
Illustrated" and "Interiors" magazines there are stacks of back issues as well as National Geographic going back to the 1920's.
There are also walktracks up through the bush, forest and open pastures.
It is also famous for its fun quotes on the rafters - the latest one is "definition of a great marriage...He gives, She takes".
These quotes have become a feature of the property and a book has now been published entitled "The
Writing is on The Wall" - a pick of the best quotes from
the rafters and walls.
Click on
image to get a better view.
~But
mostly it's a place for romance.
Tree
Crop Farm specialises in retreats for lovers. It's the perfect place
only an hour from Christchurch for couples who like to walk in the
hills, lounge in hammocks snooze in the sun, take a slow walk in
the evening sun and then soak in a hot tub with a fire underneath.
A glass of great wine in hand and stars above and the promise of
a sleep in next morning….paradise.
Why is Tree Crop Farm So Special?
Tree Crop Farm is the only Bed and Breakfast Retreat in New Zealand that
encourages guests to sleep in until midday and then have brunch on the
verandah or by the fire.
For those who crave total seclusion
mid week is best.
The furnishings are "olde worlde" or as the Auckland guests say "shabby
chic!" It's the mix of colonial antiques nestled amongst the sheepskins
and fur rugs, tent bags, kelims, herbs and flowers.
Much use is made of fragrant oils, fresh herbs and lavender bath foam. The
gardens reflect a passion for globe artichokes, lavender, salad greens,
lilies, dahlias, basil, garlic and old roses.
There are now 200 young olives taking root on the hillside above the house
and a tiny 26 vine chardonnay vineyard….sadly no harvest yet ! A copse of
chestnut trees in the walnut grove are now fruiting well as are the hazel
nuts. The slowly establishing old fashioned roses are at their best in November
and December and the wild flowers go through to January.
All
the food and drinks are heavily decorated with fresh flowers and herbs
for the teas are picked as needed. Tree Crop Farm is famed for big
fluffy lattes, cute cappuccinos and hot berry juices with fresh fruits,
lemon verbena and rosemary.
The original historic Tree Crop Farm cottage dwelling with its wattle
and daub walls (clay, mud and horsehair over a light timber frame)
is heated with four open fires in winter if needed, and the interiors
are reminiscent of the "Lord of the Rings" film sets. The film crews
staying as houseguests during the South Island filming claimed that
Tree Crop Farm could easily be set in "The Shire" in "Middle Earth!"
The old house was built around 1850's as a wedding present for a bullock
driver and his young family. Changes have been made to the working
class dwelling over the past 150 years by many owners but it still
has character. The haphazard plan for the garden comes from the artist
Renoirs garden in Cagnes in the south of France. The Renoirs had a
nine acre terraced site with ancient olive trees and were organised
to provide all the families fruit and vegetables, flowers and herbs,
meat and eggs plus a surplus to sell as well as a place for peace
work and play and personal growth into old age. A constant re reading
of the book "Renoirs Garden" by Derek Fell has been the
inspiration for Tree Crop Farm.
All Visitors to the garden are welcome to bring their dog....a lead would be nice !
A lovely aspect about NZ is how safe it is from creepy crawlies. Guests can sleep in all the huts with doors & windows open wide. There may be the occasional insect, but nothing that can hurt you.
New Zealand has no snakes & going outside barefoot at night is fine. It is also safe to sleep in the hut with the fire going, but candles must be extinguished first.
All overnight guests who have a problem with hayfever & are especially allergic to grass pollen, should bring their medication.
Click on
image to get a better view.
