Country cafes/taverns/historic homesteads/local history

The Blackball Hilton hotel, sits at the centre of Blackball, a small settlement on the West Coast of the Sth Island and with an important place in early West Coast economic development, of coal mining, gold digging, and NZ's political history, witnessing the birth of the "Labour" political movement. At first, Blackball was a base for transitory gold seekers. But from 1893 a more settled community developed with the coal mine’s opening.

Hidden away on a quiet backroad in the tiny hamlet of Seadown, just north of Timaru, in the South Island of New Zealand, you will find The Shearers Quarters Cafe.

Looking for somewhere for dinner to celebrate a special occasion or simply a place to get together, with friends and family, to relax, enjoy tasty food and good vibes for you and all the family? You need go no further than the Good Union, a cafe and restaurant in Cambridge for all the community to enjoy.

The Secret Garden is a Mexican style indoor / outdoor garden bar restaurant and live music venue serving authentic Mexican street food with a funky tiki bar serving delicious cocktails mocktails and tiki slushies for the kids. It's where everyone is welcome to sit, relax, enjoy tasty food and listen to the vibrant strains of Mexican music.

Sitting atop Ōtehīwai Mount John, with expansive views right across the MacKenzie Basin, in the heart of the MacKenzie Country, you will find, nestled among the telescopes and antenna of the Mt John Observatory, the Astro Cafe. This is a place where people from all around NZ and the world go to observe the neighbouring planets, the stars, galaxies and beyond, and to relax later,

Burnside Homestead is a Category One registered historic home offering high class B&B accommodation and traditional country fare. Architecturally distinguished by its octagonal Great Hall, all its antique guest suites incorporate contemporary facilities. Additional accommodation includes comfortable rooms in the Historic Creamery and Servants Quarters.

The Tiniroto Tavern, has an interesting history with many Taverns having been built on the current site since the 1890's. In the early days the Taverns were used as stop-overs for the coaches running between Waerenga-O-Kuri and Marumaru.

The Tiniroto tavern is currently closed.

Our grand old hotel offers a relaxing environment, simple accommodation and big country meals. The Whangamomona Hotel reflects the colourful and truly unique nature of the Whangamomona community.

The Cow Shed is a family run business set on a beautiful, 8 acre rural property, in a converted milking shed. The property is owned by Amy's parents who converted the Cow Shed and established The Restaurant in 2012.
The CowShed restaurant is currently closed and not taking bookings but their very tasty pies are still being sold in front of the Mangawhai Village Hall.

Turn a corner along one of the Kapiti Coast's back country roads and you will come across the Bus stop Cafe, which Is a small cafe in the bottom of the garden owned by Kirsty Green.

The Fossil Point Cafe and Gallery is situated a short distance from Cheviot and about an hour and half drive from Christchurch. Founded by internationally recognised ceramicist Kim Henderson, the on-site gallery features the works of Kim and numerous local artists.