The Pleasant Point and South Canterbury district of New Zealand.

Centre Hill has been farmed by Ian Blakemore since 1968, and gained full organic certification status in 1990. Ian raised deer for venison and velvet production, beef cattle, sheep and crops. You are welcome to tour the farm and learn about its operations during your stay at Centre Hill Cottage farmstay, and to sample organic produce.

For those wanting to stay "close to home" during their stay, local activities include on-property swimming (pool), lawn tennis court (in season), and farm walks. The scenery (and peaceful atmosphere) is ideal for sketching, painting and photography. Pleasant Point - a five-minute drive away - has local artisan shops, restaurants, a golf course, and a steam train and museum.

Nearby Pleasant Point is a two-hour drive from Christchurch city, or can be reached from Wellington by direct 1.5-hour flight to Timaru airport and a 12-minute drive for the rest of the journey. Pleasant Point is the focal point of a vigorous agricultural, dairy and pastoral industry in the gently rolling, fertile South Canterbury landscape.

Pleasant Point is also a central location from which to tour the Southern Alps and the alpine lakes of Aorangi Mount Cook National Park. Aorangi Mt Cook is a two-hour drive away, and the famous Lake Tekapo is only one hour away.

Pleasant Point is also home to several world-famous fishing rivers and other water-based recreations, including the Opuha Dam at nearby Fairlie. The Cottage is also one hour from the Dobson and Fox skifields, and 1.5 hours drive from the popular Mt Hutt skifield.

Getting here

Centre Hill is well signposted from Pleasant Point, with blue Farm Stay signs. Tengawai Road leaves the main highway at the western end of the town. After leaving the residential area, the road bends to cross the Tengawai River (a one-lane bridge, so take care) and then turns to the left. About 2km on, turn left at the Y-junction that forms Howell Road, and the entrance to Centre Hill is about half a kilometre on.

Centre Hill is located at 59 Howell Road, Totara Valley, Pleasant Point.
Phone (from within New Zealand) 03 614 7385
Mobile 027 420 1120

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