Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 03-434 6963;
www.aaathamescourt.co.nz
;
252 Thames St; d $120-150; )
A good op-
tion for families, this older motel has been given a biege-over (the colour of our times)
and the renovated units are comfortable and well priced. For an extra $5 it's worth trad-
ing up from a studio to a much larger one-bedroom unit.
Pen-y-bryn Lodge
B&B $$$
$$$
( 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.
DON'T MISS
RIVERSTONE
It's well worth taking the 14km trip from Oamaru to this idiosyncratic complex, hid-
den 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 orna-
ments and Christmas decorations. Outside, George the belligerent 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
