A PIECE OF HISTORY

WORDS Liam Stretch

The Hilltop, an historic landmark on the Banks Peninsula, is set to have a new lease of life thanks to a respect for the past and a vision for the future.

The hill in Duvauchelle, where the Hilltop stands, has long been a site for rest and respite, with the original tavern, Garwood’s House, built in the 1870s. In 1931, a devastating fire swept through the wooden building, leaving nothing but twisted iron and a barrel of beer in its wake. After considerable refurbishment, it became known as The Hilltop Tavern.

Last year, a new chapter in Hilltop’s history began when it was bought by Akaroa couple Brent and Kim Robertson. They saw an opportunity to bring the iconic building into the 21st Century and restore it to its former glory. “It would have been a shame for it to get into the wrong hands and be demolished and not get the love and respect it deserved,” Brent says.

The Robertsons’ vision for Hilltop is to retain its character and individual style while modernising the interior to make it more functional and to maximise the stunning views of Akaroa Harbour. They plan to install modern facilities while maintaining the authenticity of the 1930s tavern on the outside.

“We don’t want to change the authenticity of the existing exterior because of its iconic stature in Canterbury and the Banks Peninsula history. We want to marry the modern with the 1930’s original architecture.”

Great food will also be on the menu, with a new kitchen meeting modern standards currently being installed, and they are looking for an operator that shares their vision and passion for the space’s history and location.

The rebuilding is progressing well, and the Robertsons are hoping to reopen Hilltop before Christmas. They want patrons to experience the beautiful environment and enjoy a wonderful food experience. “It’s already a well-known point of interest and a great photo opportunity of the Akaroa harbour vista,” says Brent. “We want people to pop in for a refreshment and stay a while.”

The stunning locale is to be enhanced by the installation of an all-weather verandah, allowing every table to have a view.

The Robertsons also plan to reinstate the three pillars at the entranceway, previously damaged by a truck.

During the renovation, the builders made a fascinating discovery: a time capsule from 1931, which may have been laid when the tavern was being rebuilt after the fire. An architectural designer who worked on the project said that the time capsule contained the names of six people who helped construct the tavern. They mentioned that the original brick chimney breast may have survived the fire, being a good marker to start the rebuild.

Restoring Hilltop is more than just a renovation project – it’s a labour of love for Brent and Kim, who see themselves as custodians of an important piece of Canterbury history. With their passion and dedication, they are ensuring that Hilltop will continue to be a landmark destination for generations to come.