“We woke in our hillside bungalow to the most incredible of views; green pastures and rolling hills dotted with sheep, STRETCHED AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN BEYOND
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t was dusk as we arrived at The Farm the evening before, fresh off a long-haul flight. Driving through the nondescript wooden gates and up the winding drive to the lodge, I could be forgiven for thinking I was still in California; the Redwood Forests came to mind. Stunning scenery gave way to darkness just as we approached the main lodge, a series of impressive farm buildings glimmering on the hilltop. Experiencing just how exhilaratingly beautiful New Zealand is would have to wait until daylight.
We woke in our hillside bungalow to the most incredible of views; green pastures and rolling hills dotted with sheep, stretched as far as the eye could see to the Pacific Ocean beyond. Absolutely worth travelling half-way around the world to see the killer views Hawke’s Bay puts on. One of the dilemmas (read “first-world problems”) for guests at the Relais & Châteaux luxury lodge, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is choosing from amongst the many unique activities on offer at the 6000-acre working farm. The Tom Doak designed Cape Kidnap-
pers Golf Course is ranked among the best in the world, so should we make tracks to this famed course and see what all the fuss is about? We know that the Hawke’s Bay wine region produces some of New Zealand’s finest drops; I’ve been told by friends that local outfit Bay Heliwork offer a fabulous way to take in a number of top vineyard cellar doors while enjoying aerial views of the stunning landscape. Perhaps a heli-tour after a round of golf? We added these to our list of activities for the next few days. And who knew that this luxury lodge shares its backyard with 20,000 gannets, the largest
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