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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". 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 and walktracks up through the bush, forest and open pastures and for fun quotes on the rafters. 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. |
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 Click on image to get a better view. |
~But
mostly it's a place for romance.
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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.
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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. 
Click on image to get a better view. |
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 Click on image to get a better view. |
Photos by Chris Moorhouse