Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ated units are comfortable and well priced. For an extra $5 it's worth trading up from a
studio to a much larger one-bedroom unit.
Pen-y-bryn Lodge
( 03-434 7939;
www.penybryn.co.nz
;
41 Towey St; r $550-625)
Well-travelled foodie owners have
thoroughly revitalised this beautiful 1889 residence. Predinner drinks are served in the
antiques-studded drawing room, and you can opt for rates (from $850) which include a
four-course dinner in the fabulous dining room.
B&B
$$$
DON'T MISS
RIVERSTONE
It's well worth taking the 14km trip from Oamaru to this idiosyncratic complex, hidden along the unassuming
short stretch of SH1 between the braided mouth of the Waitaki River and the SH83 turn-off.
First and foremost it's the home of
Riverstone Kitchen
( 03-431 3505;
www.riverstonekitchen.co.nz
; 1431
SH1, Hilderthorpe; brunch & lunch $14-29, dinner $29-32; 9am-5pm Thu-Mon, 6pm-late Thu-Sun; ), a
sophisticated cafe/restaurant that outshines any in Oamaru itself. Leather couches and polished-concrete floors set
the scene for a menu that's modern without being overworked. Much of the produce is from the extensive on-site
kitchen gardens (take a look, they're impressive), topped up with locally sourced duck, venison, pork, chicken
and beef. It's a smashing brunch option, with excellent coffee and legendary truffled scrambled eggs.
Next door, behind a set of fake heritage shopfronts,
Riverstone Country
( 9am-5pm) is literally packed to
the rafters with gifts, crafts, homewares, garden ornaments and Christmas decorations. Outside, George the belli-
gerent cockatoo rules over an aviary stocked with canaries, lorikeets and guinea pigs.
If this all points to an eccentric mind at the helm, take a look at the moated castle being constructed at the rear
of the complex. Once the finishing touches are added to the six towers, moat and drawbridge, that's where the
owners will reside.
Eating
Steam
(
www.facebook.com/steamoamaru
; 7 Thames St; mains $4-7; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-2pm Sat & Sun)
Steam
specialises in coffees and fruit juices, and is a good spot to stock up on freshly ground
Java for your own travels. Settle in for breakfast, or partake of a freshly baked muffin.
CAFE
$
Whitestone
MAP
DELI, CAFE
$
GOOGLE MAP
