Blue Duck Station — Hotel in North Island

This was an interesting experience. No mobile reception, no internet - except at the cafe during the daytime, no television, no radio, no newspapers. It made me wonder if this is what life was like for the pioneers. The silence was often total. It also made me wonder about our busy life today, and how we aren't - as a society - really able to cope without constant entertainment. | They provide a few board games, and a few books, but the clear expectation is you will be going outside - that's what they do. They do walks, jet boats, rides, hunts, and so on. But it might be an idea to give a few more indoor activities, as it can rain a lot in this isolated Central North Island hill country. I had my laptop and kindle, and was well prepared, and would suggest everyone else staying more than a day or so does the same, just in case.| I had wanted to go riding, as although I have ridden an elephant, I have never ridden a horse - which is rather ironic. But there is a minimum of two bookings for horse rides, and I didn't want one so much that I would pay double. Some other place, some other time.|| So instead, I walked up to the Kaiwhakauka Falls. It was an easy walk on a well graded, if muddy, four-wheel-drive track. Some cows were rather interested in what I might be doing, and headed to their fence to try and find out. Once you turn off the track and head down to the falls though, it's very steep. You end up at the top of the falls - if you have children, make sure they do as you tell them, because it's a fifteen metre drop. The track to the base of the falls heads off to the right, and requires some scrambling over tree roots, before you hit some steps over the steepest bits. There are kayaks at the bottom, and you can return to your lodge via the gorge, but kayaks and I have had a nasty history over the past thirty years - overturned, crashed, stuck between rocks, you name it it's happened - so I just walked back. The falls plunge down a cliff into a punch bowl in several cascades, and they are very beautiful.|| I had brought my own breakfasts and lunches in, but in the evenings I ate at their cafe. What you see is what you get - this is an operation at the end of a gravel road, about an hour and a half from the nearest supermarket, so a varied menu will not be yours. They can easily do a vegetarian dish, other restrictions are more difficult, so do make sure you tell them before you arrive, if you need food specially prepared - or bring your own. The lodges all have kitchens. The first night, it was a beautifully cooked beef stew with carrots, and roast potatoes, with a bit of brownie for 'afters'. || I stayed at the Frontier Lodge, very new, very comfortable, and a great bed to lie in.|All the bedrooms have a private bathroom, and they're panelled with plywood in a very natural, relaxed, style. Sheepskin rugs on the floor add to the country vibe. The kitchen was well equipped, with everything you needed, from knives and pots to plates and mugs. The dining table is large, and there is a couch to sit and chat on, as well as a barbecue, more seating, and a large fridge/freezer outside.|| The bed arrangements gave me a bit of a giggle. When I was there, there were 'waves' of cyclists passing through, on THE worst possible route from North Cape to Bluff. Up and over ranges, down gravel roads, and boggy valleys, you name it, they did it. And one night, I had four Australian blokes turn up. "Are ALL these bedrooms DOUBLE BEDS!?" "Yes," I said. "Well, we're not having THAT!" A right to-do followed. It's a bit sad really, that men can't share a bed without people, well, thinking things. The staff arrived, separated the beds, and the Aussies quietened down. The next night, a Kiwi father and son shared a bed without much fuss. "It's just for one night!" Thinking back into history again, it's rather recent that male bed sharing has been a problem - in pioneer days men would share a bed if there was only one, without much fuss either. And in 1967, my very drunk father shared a bed with five equally drunk Russian men in the thoroughly homophobic USSR with few problems either, after they had a bottle of vodka each. It's a strange world...|| One of their housekeepers gave me much food for thought too. She was very relaxed, had time to do her work, and talk about a million different subjects. One thing she said that really made me think, was what would we do, without the rubbish truck drivers, and other tradespeople at the - 'humbler' end of the spectrum? That threw into stark relief, New Zealand's obsession with getting degrees and a well-paying job - and that we can't all be doing that. We need the clever, and not so clever, the well-off, the not-so-well-off, the rural dwellers and the city folk - we can't all be the same, if our country is to run, and run well. Not everyone can, or even should, go to university. It was a point to ponder, and she gave me a lot more to ponder on too, in the silence that filled the times between interactions with other people. It's just like that, so far from the town, with very little communication.|| That was the other thing. I realised that if, say, a massive earthquake struck somewhere overseas, and a hundred thousand people were dead, I would know nothing about it. It must have been like that, for almost everyone in the world, until a couple of hundred years ago.|| This has been a long, and perhaps, strange, review, but this place threw me into a very different world than the one I usually inhabit, only 130km away as the crow flies, and in many ways, one that existed long in the past. You can experience...

Blue Duck Station was our first real stop during our two week trip to New Zealand, and it has remained our family's favorite stop of the entire vacation. From our arrival to our departure we were treated well by everyone we encountered at the Station. Mel was responsive and very helpful in setting up the perfect trip for us prior to our arrival. Dan swung by to check on us and make sure we were comfortable during our stay.

We stayed in the River House which was beautifully situated above the river with incredible views from the back deck. Most mornings I spent drinking coffee on the deck and watching a beautiful fallow hine feed 150 meters away along the river sure shoreline.

I booked a full day guided hunt and, as a public land hunter from America, I have to say this was the most memorable hunting in my entire life. Mike, the hunting guide, hunts hard and knows his animals. I wanted a true hunt where we had to work hard and risk not getting an animal, and that's exactly what I got. I let Mike know that I hoped to find either a red stag or fallow buck that were good representatives of the area (and not just a trophy to shoot off a farm). He worked hard and made it happen. We were in the animals all day, and by the evening we found a beautiful red stag to put a true stalk on. His rifle was a breeze to shoot and I was able to harvest a stunning red stag plus a great feral goat, feeding my family, sharing the rest of the meat with the Station, and bringing home incredible memories. It really felt like hunting back at home and was absolutely catered to my requests... No guarantees, hard work, and great memories. I'm certain if you wanted to do a more comfortable hunt with minimal hiking that Mike would get that done for you, too. They even were kind enough to let me process my skulls for euro mounts at my request, and they had all the tools for that job, too. If I wasn't so tired from all the success, and if I hadn't already gotten all the game I felt I needed, I would have hunted another day. In the end, one day of hunting was enough.

Food at the cafe was great, my wife and son are still talking about the lasagne Sandy made for us. We neglected to book a dinner at the Top of the World restaurant, but after seeing it and the cabins they have up there, I would absolutely recommend not missing the chance for that.

River access was easy, water was calm enough for our 2.5 year old to swim and play.

If I could live at this place, I would. I kept saying I'll be back when my son is old enough to hunt, but I don't think I'll be able to wait that long. Frankly, a trip to Blue Duck Station (including flights) is probably as expensive as a guided hunt in my home state in America.

Blue Duck Station is whatever you want it to be. From a serene holiday with family, to a rugged hunting trip, to jet boating, horseback riding and kayaking, this place has it all. This is a can't miss spot for me and...

What a fascinating place run by lovely people. I’m a total townie with no ‘cousins on farms’ or any sort of childhood experience of things rural, so this is my view as a total novice. I read about the place in the NZ Herald and the dining experience with chef Jack Cashmore on a high peak staying in the eco rooms, along with the tour of station and the philosophies and progress of the owner Dan. We booked immediately, roping in some friends who have the same priorities and who we do not see enough of. We then saw a piece on Seven Sharp, and they also saw Country Calendar. What amazing PR. We were feeling really excited about this. Lucky we were so swift to book as gather there is now a waiting list. Our one night only scratched the surface. And what a great combination of education and pleasure. Watch Country Calendar and find that Herald article for details. If I recount our experience this will be a book. There are probably more articles out there by now. I asked Dan if he uses a PR company - but no, this has all been self generating. A bit like his piece of paradise. And - oh my - the good his ideas will do for the entire area and culture. And hopefully for NZ generally. No wonder the people who work alongside him are so committed. Plus they are having fun. Mel and Jayden you are fabulous. We learnt a lot about history and smart use of land. Take up the offer of the gumboots.

And the meal Jack produced was stunning. He and Beth are a great team. We loved the entire experience. Another time we might do one of the other things on offer. Not the tramping - maybe the boat trip.

It would be even better if the gorgeous girl with the blue hair who was making coffee in the café you drive to first, had Allpress give her some training and some coffee, as the intention is there, but not quite the right tools. We loved the place. The restaurant has to close in winter as the track can be impassable, so book yourself a space for next summer. If...