We camped up for the night at the Lower Waitaki Valley Golf Club (just north of Oamaru) for the night. This is one of the Park over Place (POP) that the NZMCA have listed in their directory. For a donation we had a safe spot to park as well as access to fresh water. Just perfect.
We wanted to stay in the area as we were keen to call into the Riverstone Kitchen just along the road a few kilometres. We had heard good reports about the restaurant and had also recently heard an interview on the radio with Dot Smith, entrepreneur and the owner of the property called Riverstone.
So late morning saw us pull up outside the property (we parked on the road as we are never sure if we can get the bus and attached the car turned around so we always take the conservative option).
This is certainly a place to allow plenty of time to visit. There is a large vegetable garden and orchard that supplies the restaurant, a very large gift/general store in several buildings, an extensive playground for children, the castle still under constructed and of course the restaurant.
After a good look around we headed into the restaurant to sample the coffee and a snack. For a restaurant well out of town, it is highly patronised and most of the tables were either occupied or reserved. We were lucky to have a seat on the large leather sofa by the fire where we enjoyed (and shared) a large savoury scone, and a piece pear and ginger tart with ginger ice-cream with our coffee.
We were pleased that we had taken the time to stop and have a look. We thought it was certainly worth it.
Further information can be found at: Riverstone Kitchen
or by listening to the interview with Dot on Radio NZ: Interview
We wanted to stay in the area as we were keen to call into the Riverstone Kitchen just along the road a few kilometres. We had heard good reports about the restaurant and had also recently heard an interview on the radio with Dot Smith, entrepreneur and the owner of the property called Riverstone.
So late morning saw us pull up outside the property (we parked on the road as we are never sure if we can get the bus and attached the car turned around so we always take the conservative option).
This is certainly a place to allow plenty of time to visit. There is a large vegetable garden and orchard that supplies the restaurant, a very large gift/general store in several buildings, an extensive playground for children, the castle still under constructed and of course the restaurant.
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| Dot's castle under construct. |
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| The extensive vegetable gardens that supply the cafe/restaurant. |
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| Dot Smith as she appears on the cover of her book. |
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| Dot working in the kitchen, with her chef son Bevan. |
After a good look around we headed into the restaurant to sample the coffee and a snack. For a restaurant well out of town, it is highly patronised and most of the tables were either occupied or reserved. We were lucky to have a seat on the large leather sofa by the fire where we enjoyed (and shared) a large savoury scone, and a piece pear and ginger tart with ginger ice-cream with our coffee.
We were pleased that we had taken the time to stop and have a look. We thought it was certainly worth it.
Further information can be found at: Riverstone Kitchen
or by listening to the interview with Dot on Radio NZ: Interview
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