We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View all
John H
Hamilton, New Zealand

A highlight of our trip.

5.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 17 Feb 2024
We were domiciled in a tiny home sequestered off from the main house by a large hedge. We met out hosts briefly, but after a friendly chat never saw them again.
The driveway was steep and loose with a water channel cut into it, which felt perilous to my townie eyes, but was a non-event to my wife, who was raised on a farm. The steps leading to the unit were slightly overgrown with flax; I nearly tripped as I hauled our luggage down.
We were greeted by three alpacas and two sheep. Our hosts had provided us with a container of alpaca chow, and it was delightful to stroke them while they ate from my hand.
The tiny home lives up to its description, so I can’t say I wasn’t warned, but it was clean, modern, and comfortable. The compost indoor toilet was novel, although we did have some issues with smell (more sawdust helped). Another novelty was the outdoor bath; I had a relaxing soak under the sky and listened to the wind in the trees.
There was a generous selection of board games on the shelves, in good condition. We played some Trivial Pursuit card games until bedtime. The night was hot, so I left the front door open half the night to cool off. Thankfully, no mosquitos.
I wondered if livestock noise from the paddock would keep us awake. However, they were perfectly quiet, except when we left and a sheep gave a disappointed baa when it didn’t get another feed.
Date of stay: January 2024
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
3.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
Problem with this review?
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.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Nearby Hotels
  • Booking.com
  • Hotels.com
  • eDreams
3.7 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
Ambassador Motor Lodge
  • Hotels.com
  • Booking.com
  • Algotels
3.4 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Vio.com
3.3 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Booking.com
  • Hotels.com
  • eDreams
3.3 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Priceline
3.9 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free parking
  • Booking.com
  • Hotels.com
  • eDreams
4.2 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Booking.com
  • Hotels.com
  • Priceline
4.8 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
Sunrise at The Vicarage
  • Vio.com
  • Agoda.com
4.1 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
AAA Thames Court Motel
  • Booking.com
  • Hotels.com
  • eDreams
3.7 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
Harbour Location
  • Vio.com
5.1 km from Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest
Free Wifi
Free parking
View more hotels in Oamaru
Reviews (67)
Filter reviews
67 results
Traveller rating
64
2
1
0
0
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
More languages
Traveller rating
64
2
1
0
0
See what travellers are saying:
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
2 - 7 of 67 reviews
Reviewed 24 January 2020

We had a great stay at the Shepherds Rest, it’s a shame we only had one night.
Fantastic rural location with amazing views and every thing you needed in the hut to make your stay comfortable, a great nights sleep was had by all! :)
Our host Jennie was fab and made us feel very welcome, we hope to return for longer next time.

Date of stay: January 2020
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Thank JagWestYorkshire
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.
fallenfarmgirl, Owner at Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest, responded to this reviewResponded 25 January 2020

It was lovely to host you both and happy to hear you enjoyed your stay in our wee hut. Thanks for the great chat also :)

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 22 December 2019 via mobile

Gumtree is a genuine NZ farmstay experience with animal feeding (alpacas,cows,sheep,pig etc) and friendly family dogs and cats thrown in as good company. Friendly host Jennie makes you feel really welcomed and she makes a wonderful breakfast too! Nearby Oamaru penguin tour (we saw over 200 penguins!) and the historic precinct are major bonuses. Highly recommend Gumtree as part of your NZ South Island itinerary.

Date of stay: December 2019
Trip type: Travelled with family
Thank HPGfamily
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.
fallenfarmgirl, Owner at Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest, responded to this reviewResponded 23 December 2019

Thank you HP and Family for staying with us. It was a pleasure to host your family.

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 11 March 2019 via mobile

The hostess was warm and friendly and gave us a farm tour and had us feed the llamas which was fun. Stood in the sheep enclosure and watched her dog move the sheep. Her older daughter helped too and was wonderful. We had a very nice room in her house with bath across the hall. This is a shared bath but we were lucky to not to have another guest to share. I had not read close this had a shared bath. The downsides for me that I saw her kids in the hall. If I had realized I might have had a shared bath I would not gave booked. I got lucky. We opted for the dinner. It was OK I thought the $40 per person charge was steep since not a real restaurant. We shared the dinner table with her family. Two of the kids I felt were not happy with that. The hosyess helped us to and fro with our luggage. Others might love this experience. For me. Not really my preference. The hostess was very interesting to talk to

Date of stay: March 2019
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
1  Thank D5521PUpeterh
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.
fallenfarmgirl, Owner at Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest, responded to this reviewResponded 12 March 2019

Great to hear that you enjoyed the farm tour, the animals and your bedroom.
Yes it very clearly states in all our listings that the bathroom is shared with other guests, but not with our family.
Guests are staying in our family home, so yes our children are present in the house. Perhaps I should lock them in their room? On that note they are teenagers and can be sullen at times so totally understand what you are saying about the dinner table, but then we were all teenagers once and can remember how awkward an age it was...

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 4 March 2019

Jenni and her family were wonderful hosts, nothing was too much trouble and they had time to chat, really interesting to hear about life in a different country. Breakfast was lovely, the room was very comfortable and the bathroom enormous. It was my husband's birthday while we were staying and Jenni produced a delicious dinner for us, in fact her daught Kate cooked the amazing chocolate pudding. Thank you very much.

Date of stay: February 2019
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Thank carolejoscelyne
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.
fallenfarmgirl, Owner at Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest, responded to this reviewResponded 6 March 2019

We loved hosting you both for your 2 night stay. Kate is famous in our household for her chocolate brownie lol. Thank you for leaving such a wonderful review.

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 12 December 2018 via mobile

Had the best stay at Gumtree Farmhouse and host Jennie was wonderful! Apart from the wonderful brekkie prepared by Jennie...everything from the smallest details to that of introducing us to the must dos were top-notch. The farm sits at 82 Devils Bridge Road and u will see the Gumtree Farmstay wooden stand at the entrance to the farm. The place sits on a 2-hectare pc of land and the farm was simply lovely! Not too far from the main town centre yet close to nature for us to really rest and relax. I have attached pics on how to get to the farm once u arrive at Devils Bridge.

Date of stay: December 2018
Trip type: Travelled with family
Thank Pigletau
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.
fallenfarmgirl, Owner at Gumtree Farmstay & The Shepherds Rest, responded to this reviewResponded 13 December 2018

Thanks for your lovely review. We really enjoyed hosting you and your family and it’s always great to hear positive feedback from past guests.
I would like to make a tiny correction though - we farm 80 hectares, about 200 acres, not 2 hectares.

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
View more reviews