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10 of us (6 brothers and sisters, plus 4 spouses) spent 3 nights here, doing Weka Walks by day. Six stayed in Hodd Cottage, and two couples in the Homestead. The facilities are well set up for people who want clean, homely, functional amenities, in a lovely setting. We had the fully-catered food option, and the volume and quality of the food supplied was excellent, the dinners being memorable. The hosts, Virginia and Neil, are relaxed and friendly, and happy to talk about their farm and countryside. The Weka Walks cover a variety of ground, and are well-marked; the exercise lessens the guilt about all the eating (and drinking). This is a great "get away from it all" experience, and for the townies there is delight with cows and calves, sheep and lambs, and hens in paddocks over the Hodd Cottage fence, and fallow deer also within sight. One of our number became a ''farmhand for a couple of hours, and is still beaming about the experience.
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Date of stay: November 2010
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Trip 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.
Highly recommended! We stayed 3 nights with our two kids, aged 6 and 7 and loved every minute of our time there. Neil, Virginia and Emily made a huge effort to include us in the various farm activities and worked around the unusually dreadful weather. They provided overalls and boots for us all and were exceptionally kind and patient with our city kids! We loved collecting eggs for our lunch, feeding the working dogs, chopping wood and mustering sheep on the quad bikes. The scenery is stunning and we enjoyed being cut off from the internet! The cottage was a bit chilly as a freak storm came in while we were there, but we loved the roaring fire. Thanks so much!
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Date of stay: April 2018Trip 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.
We had a one-night stay at the farm but arrived late in the evening due to the activity that day so we missed the original farm tour. Nonetheless, Neil & Virginia were so accommodating and offered to give us a farm tour the next morning at their other farm so we didn’t miss out on the whole experience. Neil went to the farm early the next morning to get started on his work but waited for us to arrive. It was a wet day and he had cloaks and boots and pants prepared for us (which we weren’t expecting) so we wouldn’t get our clothes dirty. What a massive help this was and it was so thoughtful of him to have this all prepared for us farm noobs. Neil runs the farm all by himself (which we couldn’t believe) and got to experience how he does it. We got to watch how mustering sheep was done which was absolutely fascinating which made us truly appreciate the importance of farm dogs. Without his trusty dogs, such a task would be simply impossible. It was an excellent experience and we’re craving to see more about the farm works. When we arrived at the farmstay, we were welcomed by their adorable house dog Jessie, such a loveable Corgi! The room we stayed in was cosy and comfortable with a heated blanket as it was chilly that night. The house is gorgeous and so are the grounds around it. It’s pretty isolated so it was peaceful and calming.
What blew my mind was Virginia’s cooking as she had dinner prepared for us upon our arrival. The food was tasty and the vegetables were incredibly fresh which were grown in her little garden. I’ve never tasted such sweet cherry tomatoes. All this while I thought I knew what cherry tomatoes were (small, juicy sour things), but my whole understanding of their flavor was reinvented after tasting her freshly grown ones.
Neil & Virginia were such wholesome hosts. Ever so kind and accommodating. Speaking with them and gaining a better understanding of farms was so enriching. It’s a very different when you speak to the people whose responsibility is feeding the world. Really puts your job into perspective.
I HIGHLY recommend a farmstay with these folks. It will be one of those memories you carry with you for years and it’s an experience money can’t buy.
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Date of stay: March 2016
Rooms
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Trip 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.
Response from GinnyT3, Owner at Mt Huia Farmstay
Responded 8 May 2017
We like to think our guests leave us having had a good experience, and your kind comments suggest we have succeeded! Thanks so much for writing such a full review.
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What can I say about this place. It is fantasic. Neil and Virginia were excellent hosts. I loved working on the farm (you can do some chores if you want to). They have an amazing property (we got a tour via a 4 wheeler) and our room was gorgeous. The meal that Virginia prepared for dinner was fabulous and it was nice enough outside to eat on their back patio among the beautiful countryside. If you love animals and want to see how a working farm operates, this is the place to stay. You will not be disappointed. I just wish that Neil and Virginia needed extra help on their farm, I'd apply in an instant. Say hi to all the farm dogs for me...I miss them, especially Spy.
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Date of stay: February 2019
Location
Service
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Trip 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.
I took my mum and 3 children for a school holiday farm getaway to Mt Huia Farmstay. I have been to a lot of great places in my lifetime but I can honestly say this was the best Family holiday I have ever been on. My children loved the whole rough and tumble farming experience. Neil, Virgina and Emily were fantastic hosts. We got to horse ride, round up cattle and sheep on horseback and motorbikes. The kids loved all of the farm animals and the beautiful cottage we stayed in was so warm and cozy. We were lucky enough to be there for Anzac day and went to the local town for their service. It was a great experience for all of us. Since the holiday the kids have often mentioned their farm experience and I am very tempted to go again. We also went trout fishing nearby with another company and kids were successfully in catching several trout. All in all a fantastic trip. Thanks again to the lovely hosts for such a special holiday that we will all remember forever. xoxo Anna, Awana, Sunny, Kace and Gill.
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Date of stay: April 2018
Location
Service
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Trip 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.
Virginia was very helpful and answered emails promptly.prior to our holiday. They were very accommodating to our needs and it was only at time of confirming booking that she pointed out that the nearby Golf Club had facilities for camper vans ( i was playing only playing 1 round of golf) and we could save money by staying there for the one night. A very refreshing approach to business.
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Date of stay: March 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.
We booked for a night stay and we regretted. 1 night is simply not enough.
Neil and Emily were such great host and even though we checked-in late, they managed to bring joy to the kids by bringing them out for sheep & cattle herding with his dogs and his quad-bike! Neil and Emily even went to the extent of arranging a special demonstration for the kids just before we left!
A fabulous getaway, warm hosts and the kids absolutely loved the stay. thank you for the memories Neil and Emily!
Cheers, YN and family from SIN 5th Dec 2017
PS: Apologies for this late review as we just got sucked back into the rush of things but this is a review I had to write!
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Date of stay: December 2017
Cleanliness
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Trip 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.
Response from GinnyT3, Owner at Mt Huia Farmstay
Responded 31 Jan 2018
Thank you so much for the lovely review Yeok! We're so pleased you and your family enjoyed your stay; we certainly loved involving you in all the farm activities. Best wishes for a happy and successful 2018!
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Wow. Brilliant. Excellent. Stayed two nights at the house/ Cottage over the road from the main farm house for 2 nights. The drive in from the north off sh1 was amazing , massive gorges. The Cottage is of a very high standard, clean, cosy well stoked with everything you would need and more all down to Virginia.. Your own garden very private. Even have your own hens to look after and collect eggs. Went possum shooting on the evening up in the hills on 4wd quads, Neil made sure we got one .... We had booked the farm tour, we thought it was just for a hour but we spent nearly the whole day with Neil and Emily on the farm , mucking in and helping, sheep mustering, up and down the hills, rescuing a poorly calf and her mum, shearing sheep. We were shattered but loved it. Very special place and people. Point to note no mobile signal or wifi.. but Virginia kindly let me access the main farm house wifi for the odd message I needed to send.
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Date of stay: November 2017Trip 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.
Response from GinnyT3, Owner at Mt Huia Farmstay
Responded 21 Nov 2017
It was a pleasure to have you stay, to share our special part of New Zealand and give you a taste of farming life!
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We had a great weekend! Mt Huia is a perfect spot for kids and families to have fun together. Hodd Cottage was comfortable and easy to get to. It was very peaceful and having a river on the doorstep was a big bonus!
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Date of stay: July 2017
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
My husband and I stayed with Neil, Virginia and Emily for one night during our 6 day tour of the North Island. We had many picturesque and fun experiences in New Zealand, but honestly this one was the best. They are so kind, welcoming and knowledgeable...it was like being invited to stay by family. The property is absolutely stunning. The hospitality was positively unmatched in all of our travel experiences. We were greeted with coffee before we had an extensive tour of the farm ~ riding on ATVs. We learned so much...and Neil was patient with our one million questions. My photographs of the running sheep along the hills could go in any travel magazine. Our room was super cute, clean and cozy. On the trip I did have to conduct some business ~ and although the property is in a remote area the wifi was strong and fast. They treated us to a both a delicious dinner (with vegetables Virginia grew) and a huge, hearty breakfast. Conversation was lively and humorous. They were interested in learning about our business just as we were of theirs. In the morning they took us to see the sheep shearing down the road...an unbelievably interesting sight. I cannot recommend this property and farmstay experience highly enough, thank you!
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Date of stay: May 2017
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Our front room was cute, clean and private.
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.
Response from GinnyT3, Owner at Mt Huia Farmstay
Responded 18 Jun 2017
Thanks very much for your review Ryan. We thoroughly enjoyed having you and John stay with us. You were both great company and your enthusiasm and interest in our farm and lifestyle was heartwarming. We equally enjoyed hearing about your art business and mentoring scheme. We're very much looking forward to seeing the paintings inspired by your visit to NZ. Virginia. Neil and Emily
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We booked our stay through the Road Trip company as we were on a private tour. You may want to visit their website to see if they take reservations there.
There are more places to choose from in the Mangaweka area.
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionRangitikei DistrictMangaweka
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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