Karetu Downs Farmstay — Hotel in South Island

My stay at Karetu Downs was simply perfect. If you are looking for an authentic kiwi farm stay experience this is the place to go. It’s hidden away enough yet just a short drive away to the Waipara wineries. What makes this place unique is also that it’s an actual working farm. Bruce runs the farm and if it’s season, you probably get a hand at shearing the sheep or tailing some lambs. The homestead itself is soooo beautiful with a huge garden, a stream running through it and lots of farm animals. Lambs, chickens, pigs, ducks, dogs and even a donkey. You get to feed the animals with Karen, explore the property freely or get Bruce to bring you up to the top for magnificent views. Theres also a jacuzzi tub that’s free for guests to use. We stayed at the Musterers room and it was absolutely wonderful. The furnishings is luxe and decor thoughtfully laid out. There’s a kitchenette in the room with everything you need. Karen even has milk, butter, cookies, honey (from her property) and 3 types of jam waiting for you in the room! We also had breakfast the next morning at the family dining room which again was fantastic. Eggs from the chicken coop, homemade muesli what more can you ask for.

I must say my interactions with Karen and Bruce the couple who runs the place, is what made my stay so special. Listening to Bruce’s experience running his farm and reading about how Karen decided to start this farm stay is truly touching. You can tell how much passion and love they put into their little business with all of the details that makes your stay as special as possible. Thank you so much Karen and Bruce for sharing your special gifts with us. I cannot wait to be back and spend more time...

The drive to the farm is along a very long winding track narrow in parts but when you get there is worth it. Karen gave us a very warm welcome. It is a beautiful and peaceful setting. We were offered breakfast either in Karen’s kitchen or a basket to cook for ourselves which we opted for so we could have a leisurely rise in the morning. The room itself contained a lovely comfy bed and a kitchenette with small table and chairs, would have been nice 2 have a couple of comfy chairs to watch tv but that’s all. There is a nice sofa outside on the decking which we sat out on for a while until the insects decided to come and eat us.😂 We later met Bruce who was also very friendly and he offered for us to go in the morning and watch the sheep being sheared which was very interesting and certainly looked like hard work. Thank you both for a lovely...

If you want to know what it is like to be on a farm, and to be surrounded by all kinds of animals (sheep in particular ;-)), Karetu Downs is probably as genuine as it gets. ||||But apart from being authentic, the B&B is hosted by a lovely couple that does tremendous hosting. We were placed in a complete and comfortable part of the house and had breakfast at Karen's dinner table each morning, which one lovely and allowed us to ask all kinds of questions about the farm.||||Finally, it is clear that Karen and Bruce (the man running the farm) absolutely love the animals and love what they do. This gives the whole experience a little extra that is...