About

5.0

#1 of 2 lodges in Hawarden

Location

Cleanliness

Service

Value

Karetu Downs is situated approximately 63 km north of Christchurch and is a one hour drive from Christchurch airport. The 2000 hectare property is Kiwi owned and farmed and has been in the Forrester family for over 100 years. Karen and Bruce offer cosy private accommodation for tourists, travelers and families who want to relax and take in the peaceful surroundings of the New Zealand country side. Guests can mountain bike the hill country tracks or walk along the river. Join Bruce on a tour of the farm and take part in feeding the farm animals. Ideal for family groups, horse trekkers, 4 wheeler's and trail bike riders, cyclists, trampers and for people who just want a quiet peaceful time away. Camper vans are most welcome.

Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing

Property amenities

Free parking

Hot bath

Breakfast available

Bicycle rental

Bicycles available

Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)

Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )

BBQ facilities

Secured parking

Breakfast in the room

Special diet menus

Wine / champagne

Hiking

Skiing

Tennis court

Fishing

Baggage storage

Gift shop

Newspaper

Non-smoking hotel

Outdoor furniture

Picnic area

Private check-in / check-out

Laundry service

Self-serve laundry

Washing machine

Ironing service

Room features

Fireplace

Safe

Seating area

Bottled water

Kitchenette

Flatscreen TV

Electric blanket

Bath / shower

Clothes rack

Iron

Microwave

Refrigerator

Complimentary toiletries

Hair dryer

Room types

Bridal suite

Non-smoking rooms

Suites

Family rooms

Good to know

HOTEL STYLE

Romantic

Location

Waipara Gorge 1731 Ram Paddock Road RD 1 Rd1, Hawarden 7385 New Zealand

Getting there

Christchurch Intl Airport49 kmSee all flights

Car HireSee all Hawarden car hire

See all nearby hotels

Nearby attractions

Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park

9.3 kmScenic Walking Areas

See all nearby attractions

51Reviews0Q+A5Room tips

Reviews
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

Write a review

Sort by:

Most Recent

Tobin wrote a review Mar 2023

Thousand Oaks, California3 contributions6 helpful votes

+1

A highlight of our NZ trip at this beautiful farm!

Karen and Bruce were welcoming, wonderful hosts. We enjoyed helping feed the animals and learn about the farm. The room was wonderfully comfortable, and we had a fabulous breakfast with farm fresh eggs. It was a true highlight of our trip, and we had a great hike around the property. The drive to the farm was spectacular! Wish we had stayed longer 😊

Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Response from Karen Forrester, General Manager at Karetu Downs Farmstay

Responded 29 Mar 2023

Wow Thank you for such a lovely review. It was so nice to hear such awesome feedback and it makes us feels great when we know our guests had an enjoyable stay and a real kiwi farm stay experience. We are lucky to own a farm and we love to share our beautiful property with you. Thank you so much x

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Barbara W wrote a review Jan 2021

1 contribution

Wonderful experience

Great hospitality. Lovely suite. We stayed in the Louisa suite. It was fantastic - lounge, bed and bathroom to ourselves. Nothing was too much for the host. There was an extra service willing given. We found more about the history of the place. The gardens are beautifully kept. It was so nice to sit on the verandah and look at the lovely gardens. it was a pleasure chatting with Karen and Bruce. The meals were lovely.

Date of stay: January 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Helen wrote a review Nov 2020

Amberley, New Zealand1 contribution

Boutique Accommodation close to Christchurch

My partner and I stayed in the Musterers suite - beautifully appointed and great to have cooking facilities. A lovely outlook over the magnificent gardens surrounding the house. Was so fantastic to stay close to home but be away from the hustle and bustle of town. The property is spectacular and I was able to ride my horse over the farm as well. Karen and Bruce are wonderful hosts and the breakfast was superb! The gift shop was a bonus for our Christmas shopping. Thank you both so much. We will be back.

Date of stay: November 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Lou B wrote a review Apr 2020

Düsseldorf, Germany9 contributions2 helpful votes

Great Farmstay!

Somewhere in the middle of the south island there is this beautiful farm full of charm and character. Karen and Bruce are wonderful hosts. Bruce took us on an impressive tour all around the vast farmlands with amazing views, Karen introduced us to the animals near the farmhouse and is a great cook.

Date of stay: March 2020

Value

Cleanliness

Service

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1 Helpful vote

Helpful

Share

Daan Kramer wrote a review Jan 2020

Amsterdam, The Netherlands17 contributions10 helpful votes

An authentic and lovely farmstay experience

If you want to know what it is like to be on a farm, and to be surrounded by all kinds of animals (sheep in particular ;-)), Karetu Downs is probably as genuine as it gets. But apart from being authentic, the B&B is hosted by a lovely couple that does tremendous hosting. We were placed in a complete and comfortable part of the house and had breakfast at Karen's dinner table each morning, which one lovely and allowed us to ask all kinds of questions about the farm. Finally, it is clear that Karen and Bruce (the man running the farm) absolutely love the animals and love what they do. This gives the whole experience a little extra that is worth mentioning.

Date of stay: December 2019

Location

Cleanliness

Service

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Torlesse wrote a review Nov 2019

Christchurch, New Zealand25 contributions3 helpful votes

Quiet location but close to Waipara attractions

We stayed in the farm cottage which has been renovated and is bright,clean and well appointed and now has wifi. The views from the farm are beautiful as is the garden at the farmhouse. There is the option to go mountain biking or walking independently up into the hills on the farm or down to the river gorge. We walked down the river and swam in the (deep) swimming hole which was fantastic on a hot day. Karen was very welcoming and easy to communicate and arrange things with. The farm feels quiet and peaceful but is only 20 minutes or so from Waipara with wineries and restaurants.

Date of stay: November 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Response from KaretuFarmstay, Owner at Karetu Downs Farmstay

Responded 6 Nov 2019

Thank you so much for the review. It is great to now have wifi in the cottage so when guests stay they are still able to connect with family and friends and work if required. Really pleased you enjoyed the river walk too on hot summer days the river is a fabulous place to cool off and is lovely and private as well. Thank you Karen and Bruce x

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Brumby01 wrote a review Sept 2019

Brisbane13 contributions

What a fantastic farmstay - highlight of our trip!

What an awesome NZ farm experience!! The accomodation was so comfortable and had everything a family could want. Stunning surroundings. The highlight was all the animals and the incredibly lovely Karen and Bruce. The kids loved feeding all the lambs, sheep, pigs, chickens and the all the dogs. The boys loved going for a bit of a tour of the property. Karen and Bruce were so patient and nothing was a problem. This stop was a definite highlight for us all. We hope to back again one day very soon! Thank you!!!!

Date of stay: September 2019Trip type: Travelled with family

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Response from KaretuFarmstay, Owner at Karetu Downs Farmstay

Responded 6 Nov 2019

Thanks Caroline, We both loved meeting you guys and the kids were amazing. It's so nice to read this review and to read how the kids liked interacting with the farm animals. I think the lambs really missed the kids feeding them! We would most definitely love to see you all again anytime. Best wishes Karen and Bruce xx

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mark H wrote a review Dec 2018

Bedford, United Kingdom1 contribution

A fabulous find.

We had a 3 night stay here recently. It was pefect! The scenery that surrounds the farm is breathetaking... Karen and Bruce are very friendly and her breakfasts are beautiful, using their own produce. We will definitely return. Thank you guys for making our stay perfect.

Date of stay: December 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Response from KaretuFarmstay, Owner at Karetu Downs Farmstay

Responded 17 Dec 2018

Thanks Jo and Mark for staying at Karetu. It was a pleasure to meet you and we are so pleased you both enjoyed your stay with us. Best wishes Karen and Bruce x

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

460polly wrote a review Dec 2018

Christchurch, New Zealand3 contributions1 helpful vote

Karen & Bruce Forrester have created a great farmstay location.

Thank you Karen & Bruce you both should feel very proud of what you have to offer - great hosts, great meals and excellent accommodation all located in a beautiful garden setting - next time we must book one of your farm tours - Thank you Malcolm & Pauline Lay

Date of stay: December 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Response from KaretuFarmstay, Owner at Karetu Downs Farmstay

Responded 14 Feb 2019

Thanks Malcolm and Pauline just read your review and appreciate your kind words. Best wishes Karen & Bruce x

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jim S wrote a review Dec 2018

Estes Park CO19 contributions

Perfect ending to New Zealand trip

Had looked to have a farm stay during our month long exploration of New Zealand. Fortunately, I found Karetu Farms to end our tour. Karen and Bruce have created a beautiful enclave on their sheep/cattle farm just outside of Christchurch. The Louisa suite is perfectly appointed with all amenities for comfort-even a fireplace for the cool evenings we experienced. Karen’s breakfast and family style dinner made us feel as part of the family. Absolutely, a highlight of our holiday. A must do on any South Island trip.

Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helpful

Share

Response from KaretuFarmstay, Owner at Karetu Downs Farmstay

Responded 4 Dec 2018

Hi Jim, Thank you for your great review. We enjoyed chatting to you both and it was equally nice to listen to stories from your side of the world. We love meeting interesting people and enjoyed showing you our farm. Sharing our land and way of life with others is particularly rewarding.We are pleased you had a relaxing time and yes the Louisa suite and the Musterers studio offer just that little bit of luxury while staying in the New Zealand countryside. Best wishes to you both. Karen & Bruce x

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

PreviousNext