Criffel Station Farm Stay, Wanaka

Criffel Station offers a fabulous farmstay experience in Wanaka, Otago, South Island New Zealand, where you can choose to stay in self catering cottages or glamping teepees on their huge, 2000 hectacre, farm with herds of red deer, alpacas and sheep.

This part of Otago is wildly beautiful, serene and peaceful and the views from the farm are stunning, including views over the famous Lake Wanaka itself.

THE ACCOMMODATION:

They have two self catering traditional cottages and a range of glamping tents to choose from. The cottages have three bedrooms, one double and two twin, and can sleep up to six people. They are modern and comfortable inside, with a good sized lounge area and a well equipped kitchen, but still retain a nice old fashioned charm.

One (the Shearer’s Cottage) has a private porch outside, and with each cottage you’ll find plenty of space to be enjoyed in the gardens and the large farm.

The glamping tents are teepee style and can fit up to six people. They are spacious, airy and comfortable and have seats inside as well as outside, where you’ll also find a barbecue area with picnic tables and hammocks.

THE FARM:

The farm is an interesting place; it’s a deer farm which has a large herd of European red deer, a fairly unusual sight in New Zealand. From their herd they produce quality venison, and they also keeps bees, alpacas and sheep.

It’s also extremely large and is a wonderful place to explore. The owners are enthusiastic about farming and about the natural environment and they can organize informative farm tours for you where you’ll also get a chance to feed the animals, take photos etc.. There is also an on site farm shop from where you can buy some of their own food products to take home.

THE LOCATION:

The farmstay is just outside Wanaka, around six miles from the town centre in fact, and the farm has great views over Lake Wanaka itself.

For those in the know, Wanaka is quite special, and sees a lot of tourists and outdoor adventure types. It is beside the South Island Alps and the Mount Aspiring National Park and has an enormous amount of outdoor sports to be enjoyed; rock climbing, rafting, bungee jumping, sailing, hiking etc. etc.

The scenery is truly spectacular; rugged mountains, fast flowing rivers and peaceful lakes; Wanaka and its neighbour Lake Haweea.  The town of Wanaka itself is also a very pleasant place to spend a day with plenty of good craft shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants and bars.

The farmstay owners are a great source of information about the surrounding area and can arrange all sorts of tours, including a stunning helicopter tour high above the mountains.

The nearest public airport is at Queenstown, less than an hour’s drive from the farmstay, (Wanaka also has an airport but for charter flights only) and the town of Cromwell is about 30 miles away. Wanaka town centre, as mentioned above is about six miles away, and transport can easily be arranged between the farm and the town for a small fee.

WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY:

“Farmstay extraordinaire. Quaint, cute, cozy. Wonderful view…”

“If you are looking for a peaceful quite relaxing spot, this is the place. The views are stunning and everything is onsite so you could stay there the entire weekend and not have to go anywhere! Friendly staff, we can’t wait to come back!..”

Click here to read more of what other guests say.