Owners: Simonetta Ferrari
Address: Sleemans Road, Glenroy Central Canterbury
Mail: RD 2 Darfield 7572
Phone: 03 318 6800 | Fax: 03 318 6504
Email: relax@gunyah.co.nz | www.gunyah.co.nz
2013 Open Days
31 March and 7 April – more details coming soon
Description
Gunyah Country Lodge is situated in the middle of the South Island in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Only a 45 minute drive from Christchurch International Airport, it lies on the main routes to the West Coast, Mt Cook & Queenstown on the Inland Scenic Route 72.
The Lodge is set in 25 acres of grounds, mature trees, new plantings and farmland. It was established 1912 by Millicent Hall, daughter of TH Potts, one of NZ’s most renowned early botanists and conservationists, and her children. Gunyah is gardened following organic principles – there is no spraying at all.
The garden has several native trees, including one of the southernmost kauris, many rare native bellbirds, and the original large fruit orchard. The azaleas are original to the house, brought to NZ by Thomas Potts himself. There are a number of structures such as a gazebo, a folly, a rotunda, and a pond under construction. Also under development along the Hororata river boundary (50 x 100 m) is a landscaped eco-project, all natives for a clay bank, wetland and ex-river bed , for the purpose of creating a green spot for birds. Gunyah Country Estate is a registered DOC Bellbird site.
The chicken run features Pekinese bantams, Araucanas, Barnevelders, Shavers and a peahen. The gardener, Simonetta, is a landscape designer by profession and believes a garden is a place that reflects the owner’s personality and a place where you can retreat to at the end of a hectic day. Therefore she listens to you and tailors the design to your needs, getting a feel for what style you are after, how you will use the space, how you will live in it, at the same time being conscious of the aesthetic, practical and environmental aspects of the project. She had an exhibition garden at the Ellerslie International Flower Show in 2009 and 2010.
Email: simonetta@ferrarilandscapes.co.ns
www.ferarilandscapes.co.nz
Morning tea or afternoon tea or lunch or dinner for groups by prior arrangement. Minimum numbers apply.
Guided tours $7.50 extra per person for groups only & includes morning or afternoon tea.
Free range organic eggs available.
Gunyah Country Lodge offers year round hospitality for a maximum of 11 guests. Every room has en suite bathroom.
Other Information
Gunyah is the perfect place for a small refined wedding or for your honeymoon. Resident civil union celebrant. Gunyah’s peaceful setting offers total privacy for small overnight conferences for a maximum of 8 people. Day seminars cater for up to 20. We assure sole occupancy and complete discretion for your business meeting.
Open: All year round by appointment only
Admission: $10. $7.50 extra guided tour. Groups welcome. Individual casuals please ring first (preferably the day before) as we may not be open that day.
Languages Catered for: Spanish, French, German
Directions: From Christchurch take Highway 73 (Arthurs Pass) to Darfield. At the church turn left towards Mt Hutt. Continue on State Highway 72 (Inland Scenic Route) through Glentunnel, over the Selwyn River. Travel 10kms until you get to the small monument at the top of the hill. Follow the Gunyah signs from here. Turn left, towards Hororata, then immediately right into Sleemans Road, downhill and across the Hororata River. We are on the left, on the rise, just after the gravel road starts. From the South and Methven take Highway 72 (Inland Scenic Route) northbound, through the Rakaia Gorge, go past Windwhistle and at the intersection before the monument on the rise, turn right, following the Gunyah signs.
Parking: On the property. Private cars in car park by front entrance; buses in bus park