Go further and travel deeper
A guided journey by ATV at Wharekauhau Country Estate
“A cheshire-cat worthy grin attached itself to my face when I spied the words ‘quad bike tour’ on my recent itinerary,” reports Luxury Villas of New Zealand co-owner, Vicki Febery.
An invitation to visit the luxurious owner’s cottage, the Foley Villa, and explore Wharekauhau’s remarkable landscapes by Quad bike was more than an exhilarating adventure; it offered deep insights into a precious place, and provided an appreciation of the care with which it’s managed now, and for future generations.
Perched on the hills above Palliser Bay, Wharekauhau’s 3200-acres of landscape varies dramatically from the rugged black sand coast, across sheep-dotted farmland and indigenous forest, to the imposing Remutaka mountains.
Traversing these landforms by Quad bike meant I gained an appreciation of the property in a short space of time, and saw first-hand the kaitiakitanga (care and guardianship of people and place) in play. My knowledgeable guide, Jason shared many insights throughout the tour, as he proudly showed off the guest activities we passed, as well as the farming and conservation practices of the estate.
Our journey took us along the river, to the crystal clear spring which supplies the Wharekauhau Estate with some of the purest water on the planet – (the purity of which is regularly tested and further evidenced by the chef’s Wasabi plants that choose to thrive there).
We visited the pond (named after Joe, a Wharekauhau legend), home to metre long tuna (eels), saw the pest eradication efforts that are helping the covenant protected forest rebound and indigenous wildlife flourish. We then journeyed to several vantage points where more stories were shared, before heading down to the iconic black sand beach for a final thrilling blatt along the coast.
What an experience! Wharekauhau’s signature Quad Biking activity is an exhilarating 2-hour exploration of the land, culture and magic of the property – taking guests on a journey of the past, present and future.
I was afforded deeper knowledge of this achingly beautiful and soul invigorating whenua (land), and have the confidence that under the current stewardship, it’s in great hands - and is only going to get better.
I returned to the lodge in time for cocktail hour with cobwebs gone, soul invigorated and Cheshire grin intact.
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ABOUT:
Foley Villa at Wharekauhau
Fit for royalty, Foley Villa is the property’s 4,500 square foot owner’s cottage which affords guests complete privacy and independence, as well as access to all the impressive amenities and experiences of the wider estate – including touring the estate by Quad Bike. This signature activity showcases the management’s embrace of the Tiaki Promise, with proven sustainability practices evident throughout the journey.
Luxury Villas of New Zealand (LVNZ)
LVNZ is an outstanding collection of private-stay residences, stations, and estates, assuring guests of spectacular experiences. LVNZ are design masterpieces, set in secluded and breathtaking landscapes. They offer the highest quality of hospitality, proven sustainability in action and embrace the Tiaki Promise – a commitment to the care of New Zealand now and for future generations. Villas in the portfolio include romantic one- or two-bedroom cottages, standalone villas that sleep up to 16, and several multi-villa properties capable of hosting multi-generational families and groups up to 34.
A stay at a Luxury Villas of New Zealand property provides confidence of exceptional quality at every level.
Key unifiers across this exquisite portfolio are:
✅ Seclusion and privacy
✅ Stunning locations
✅ Interesting architecture, art and sculpture
✅ An embrace of the Tiaki Promise
✅ Proven Sustainability in Action
✅ Consistent exceptional quality of service, cuisine and amenities
✅ Signature onsite activities
✅ Concierge services
www.luxuryvillasnz.com | stay@luxuryvillasnz.com
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