Matua Gardens Retreat is 5 star boutique accommodation overlooking Robinsons Bay. 10 minutes from Akaroa and 75 minutes from Christchurch it’s an ideal start or end to a South Island tour or for celebrating a special occasion. Offering both luxury and privacy for just one couple at any time it is best shared with someone you love. Your hosts, Sue & Richard are on call when ever you need them. Located between two “no exit” roads on a steep hill just over 1 km from the beach and SH 75, this rural retreat is serenely quiet with expansive Akaroa harbour and valley views. The spacious guest suite has a large bedroom and en-suite with spa bath, private lounge/dining area, private off road car park, guest entrance, deck and veranda. We specialise in exquisite dining experiences from casual fireside platters for two to five course dinners with matched wines. Most of the food is home grown or local and everything is made from scratch with real ingredients. Much of our travel has been “off the beaten track” and we are happy to share our favourite places especially within New Zealand. Matua Gardens Retreat is the perfect base for exploring the wide range of popular Banks Peninsula wildlife activities and walks and hikes or just relax surrounded by native bird song. Guests enjoy luxurious toiletries and linens and exquisite attention to every detail of your stay. An extensive wine cellar offers local and New Zealand options. The two booking options include turn down service with hand made chocolates, complimentary whisky & port and free wi-fi. “Luxury” is an exceptional value all inclusive experience with full gourmet breakfast, local cheese, home made crackers, fudge and cookies and a range of beverages including wine, beer and juice. Choose your favourite pillow, toiletry and candle fragrances and more. “Essentials” is ideal if you enjoy a lighter continental style breakfast of home made muesli and fruit or eggs and toast and don’t want all the other extras in the luxury option. It’s still luxurious and extras can be added on. Transport options and transfers are available on request. Matua Gardens Retreat is the home of A Classic Ride Honda GoldWing & Sidecar tours, Model A wedding car hire and luxury rental car available. Massage available on site. Victorian afternoon teas and dinners are available by arrangement and must be pre-booked. Late check outs on request. Bridge players staying on a Monday are welcome to join in at the  Akaroa Bridge Club mixed grade session. Close to: Hinewai Reserve, Akaroa, Little River, Birdlings Flat, Pohatu Penguins, Banks Track, Swimming with Dolphins, Okains Bay Museum, Onuku Marae, Governors Bay, Lyttleton, award winning restaurants, galleries and Meniscus Wine Lounge

The spacious guest suite has a large bedroom and en-suite with spa bath, private lounge/dining area, private off road car park, guest entrance, deck and veranda. We specialise in exquisite dining experiences from casual fireside platters for two to five course dinners with matched wines. Most of the food is home grown or local and everything is made from scratch with real ingredients.

In 2000 we (Richard & Sue) decided upon a lifestyle change. After 17 years together intensive crop and stock farming in Mid-Canterbury the new millennium seemed like a good time to start a new project and new direction.We bought Matua in early 2001, and started on an intensive program of refurbishment of the original cottage and a development of the garden we now enjoy.   Sue loves to cook beautiful fresh food elegantly and simply. Because guests have their own private dining area they can be as formal or as relaxed as they choose. After a long international flight the Akaroa area is an ideal place to begin a tour. It’s also a great place to finish off and repack before embarking on the return journey. We are both quite nostalgic and this is reflected in the eclectic collection of antiques and artefacts complimented by contemporary and historic art. Richard is a master at rescuing other peoples’ discarded treasures and giving them a new home. The garden has a collection of old farm implements and repurposed items such as old mooring chain used as a fence in the guest car park. I guess you could say we’ve been recycling, up cycling and repurposing from way back! Antique linen, some of which has been embroidered by our ancestors, is put to good use. After the quakes and cruise ships being diverted to Akaroa Richard took the opportunity to better employ his passenger service licence. A Honda GoldWing and sidecar complement his Model A which he uses for weddings. The motorbike and sidecar tours are a popular way to see the sights of Banks Peninsula. Recently we added a luxury rental car to the fleet.

Close to: Hinewai Reserve, Akaroa, Little River, Birdlings Flat, Pohatu Penguins, Banks Track, Swimming with Dolphins, Okains Bay Museum, Onuku Marae, Governors Bay, Lyttleton, award winning restaurants, galleries and Meniscus Wine Lounge