After another stint working in Christchurch recently (if you are staying in Christchurch itself check my post on Eco Villa) where I spent almost all of 3 days in the office, I was feeling really desperate to get out and explore the surrounding area. So, I followed this need and changed my flight for the Sunday night in order to spend a weekend down on the Banks Peninsula (the thumb that juts out from Christchurch) with my mum, who was over from the UK.
The Banks Peninsular is gorgeous as you would expect and we spent time doing the Pohuta Penguin Tour and visiting Akaroa which were both phenomenal but the highlight of this little visit was without a doubt, the beautiful little eco retreat Okuti Garden, situated close to Little River. This was such a great experience I had to share it with you guys here on Lost in Silver Fern. I don’t think there are many more tranquil places available to stay, and here is why:
Okuti Garden, Eco Retreat – A Midsummers night dream
Okuti Garden is the kind of place that dreams are made of. My dreams at least! Mum and I slept in a yurt on the hill, in between an abundance of wildflowers with friendly donkeys roaming about and even poking their noses into our yurt! We showered in the beautiful outdoor shower with an outlook overlooking the garden and cooked in the outdoor kitchen by candlelight. Anywhere you are in Otuki you are are surrounded by beautiful trees and birds with no traffic and no disturbances apart from birdsong. Sounds too good to be true right?!
Okuti Garden was opened by Janie and Jim, 14 years ago on a spacious and quiet piece of land about an hours drive from Christchurch onto the Banks Peninsula. Janie is actually from the UK too and moved her life out to Banks years ago, creating this brilliant space for people to come and follow suit, really getting away from it all! Okuti Garden provides space and accommodation for people to hold retreats and gatherings in the studio or marquee as well as providing a beautiful space for travellers wanting to come on holiday somewhere unique.
As well as the yurts which Janie and Jim built themselves, you can stay in a Tipi, the farmhouse or the the amazing converted van that Janie actually used to travel round New Zealand in back when she first got here!
At only $50 a night, this is the kind of tranquility that people pay a fortune for.
The Okuti vibe!
Mum and I were lucky while at Okuti to have beautiful sunny weather and were a little jealous to hear that this area is that it is very often sunny. The Okuti Garden closes in the winter due to the seasonal quality of the yurts. The sleeping spaces are comfortable, traditional and private and I could imagine staying for a week or two, whiling away some time in the hammock with some books, doing some yoga and generally getting into the Okuti vibe.
Eco Friendly
Another BIG reason I love Okuti – its eco friendly of course! The whole place is lit by candle light at night, the shower is solar and the toilet is composting (don’t worry, its lovely, no DOC nightmares here!). These are all steps for retaining the quality of the land and the species that live on it and making the place as magical as the bush it is situated in.
I HIGHLY recommend Okuti Garden for anyone in this area, it genuinely is a simple slice of heaven and everyone should visit.
Okuti Garden Contact Details
Address: 216 Okuti Valley Road, Little River, Christchurch
Website: Okuti Garden Eco retreat website
Phone: 03 3251913 / 021 1102399
Thanks for reading and come back soon!
For more posts like this, Check out:
Why Wellington is a Fair Trade City
Review of Eco Villa in Christchurch
17 100% Free Things to do in Wellington on a Sunny Day
How to spend a week in Fiji for $500
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Josie x