Claremont Country Estate is a beautifully restored, historic homestead located in the heart of Canterbury wine country yet only 45 minutes from Christchurch airport.

A tranquil haven, where guests can relax and prepare for or recover from an international flight, Claremont is also an excellent base from which to explore the delights of Christchurch and Canterbury. Offering luxury lodge accommodation and gracious hospitality with the backdrop of some of New Zealand's most spectacular countryside, the property is situated on a 2,400 acre working deer and sheep high country station, and lies amongst manicured gardens, nestled below New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

Originally built in 1866, Claremont has been sensitively restored to its former glory by owner-hosts Rosie and Richard Goord and is listed by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Each of the five, spacious lodge guest rooms is individually themed with sumptuous fabrics, fine antiques and luxurious bathrooms. A separate, self-contained, three bedroom family cottage in situated within the grounds.

The gourmet menus feature locally-sourced organic produce including salmon, home-farmed lamb or venison and home-grown vegetables and fruit accompanied by fine, award-winning Waipara wines. The lodge's pavilion dining room has views of the terraced gardens, natural stone-walled courtyards and fountain and on warm summer evenings, dinner can be served 'al fresco' in the courtyard.

A not-to-be-missed experience is the Land Rover Safari unique to Claremont that takes in the spectacular geological features and natural wonders found on the property. This odyssey into pre-historic New Zealand transports guests back 65 million years to when dinosaurs roamed the globe, and includes the rare opportunity to see and touch fossilised dinosaur remains.

Claremont Country Estate is a member of the New Zealand Lodge Association, Select Hotels & Resorts International and is Qualmark 5 star rated.

Experiences

Land Rover Safari - 4WD safari that takes in 'God's Marbles'- large limestone spheres believed to be over 65 million years old; a 55 million year old fossilised oyster bed and territory the dinosaurs used to roam.

Other activities include a visit to the local, award-winning Waipara wineries; horse trekking; golf at Amberley Beach; Hanmer Springs thermal hot pools; whale watching at Kaikoura; food and wine tours; guided fishing and the sights and sounds of Christchurch.