Suggested Itineraries

2 Night Stay

Day 1:

Cascade Creek Retreat is available for you to arrive any time from 2pm. Enjoy getting to know your special place for the afternoon- relax in your cosy luxurious log cabin either in front of the large open fire or sit out on the large deck overlooking the valley where you can watch or listen to many native birds. Tui, Kereru, Bellbird, Fantail, Tomtit and Grey Warblers are common and if you are lucky you may see New Zealand’s rare native falcon that live in the valley.

As evening approaches, you may have pre ordered a Cascade Creek Classic Basket so you can enter into the evening enjoying some delicious nibbles with a bottle of wine or craft beer from the Cascade Creek ‘honesty box’ cellar available to all our guests.

There is no need to pre prepare or think about any dinner as your Classic Basket has it all there for you… a menu, instructions and divine local produce for your to whip up at your convenience.

Finish off your first day by roasting the marshmallows provided on the fire before falling into a relaxed satisfied sleep on the luxuriously comfortable beds, ready for a new day tomorrow.

Day 2:

You have the whole day to step outside of your boutique accommodation to explore 2000 hectares of fascinating rolling hill country.

Wake up to your complimentary continental breakfast or enjoy the breakfast treats in your Classic basket with steaming coffee from the coffee machine or your choice of boutique teas.

Ease into the day, enjoying the morning bird song and the novelty of no technology at your Retreat.

Take a stroll over the farm land past streams and ponds, or through native bush on one of our many walking trails. Assess how you feel and choose either a 5 minute walk along the track to the ‘Cascading Creek’ or perhaps a 45 minute, 2 hour or 10km track might take your fancy today!

After a day of enjoying your surrounds, you may be ready for a special treat and have ordered your own personalised Chef service through us prior to your arrival. Enjoy the unique and wonderful experience of having Kelly cook and serve a delicious 3 course home-style gourmet meal for you while you relax either on the deck or in front of the fire in your own log cabin.

After a long day of relaxing and enjoyment, the perfect way to finish off the day is with a steaming hot bath outside under the stars. Take a glass of your favourite wine and enjoy the vast open sky and valley below while listening to the sound of the cascading creek nearby.

Day 3:

It is departure day today, but before your leave you get to enjoy your complimentary breakfast with your delicious hot coffee, listening to the birdsong as the valley awakes around you. Take a moment to write a personalised Cascade Creek postcard to your friends or family sharing with them the wonderful stay you have just enjoyed.

3 Night Stay

A 3 night itinerary is a great way to enjoy much of what the Retreat has to offer as well as the chance to take in some of the nearby short drive destinations.

Day 1 and 2 – see 2 night stay itinerary

Day 3:

After having relaxed and wound down at the Retreat yesterday, today is a good opportunity to head to Cascade Creeks closest city, Dunedin and enjoy its sights and activities. Just 50 minutes from Cascade Creek, Dunedins city centre and the Otago peninsula has a plethora of things to do… it is likely you could need more than one day there to enjoy it all!

Highly recommended Dunedin tourist attractions include…

  • The Octagon
    A well known meeting place with the locals in the heart of the city, this is where you will find plenty of ‘top-notch’ bars and cafes or just sit on the grassy bank and enjoy the bustle of the inner city.
  • Otago Peninsula
    Take a tour with Elim Wildlife Tours or Monarch Wildlife Cruises to view this spectacular region and wildlife. View the Royal Albatross, penguins, seals and bird life galore!
  • Royal Albatross Centre
    Located on the tip of the Otago Peninsula at Taiaroa Head, this is the only mainland-breeding colony for any albatross species within the Southern Hemisphere. View the informative wildlife displays and enjoy a guided tour.
  • Otago Settlers Museum
    Established in 1898, the museum is considered one of the country’s most significant social history museums. Learn about the indigenous Maori, Chinese goldfield workers and other migrant groups. We suggest you pre-arrange a guided tour.
  • Larnach Castle & Gardens
    If you love New Zealand antiques, carved ceilings, castles, stunning views and beautiful gardens then a visit to historic Larnach Castle is a must! New Zealand’s only castle boasts spectacular tower views and a Garden of International Significance where you can meander through 9 different gardens before enjoying a refreshment break in the Ballroom cafe.
  • Speight’s Brewery Heritage Tour
    The Speight’s Brewery is truly an Otago icon and this 90 minute our of a working brewery and heritage centre is a “must see” for any visitor to the Otago region. Of course at the end of your informative and interactive tour you can enjoy the range of beers in the private Heritage Bar!

Day 4:

It is departure day today, but before your leave you get to enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast with your delicious hot coffee from the coffee machine, listening to the birdsong as the valley awakes around you. Take a moment to write a personalised Cascade Creek postcard to your friends or family sharing with them the wonderful stay you have just enjoyed.

Check our availability & BOOK your holiday at Cascade Creek Retreat

5 Night Stay

A 5 night stay is imperative if you are wishing to cover many surrounding areas which give the chance to see a number of aspects of ‘real NZ’ during your time at Cascade Creek Retreat.

Day 1:

Arrival day (see 2 night itinerary)

Day 2:

Your chance to make Cascade Creek Retreat ‘home’ & enjoy all it has to offer (see 2 night itinerary)

Day 3:

Take a short drive to Dunedin and choose from its many tourist attractions and sights to enjoy for the day (See 3 night itinerary)

Day 4:

You might be ready for another day of relaxing and exploring at the Retreat today, but if you are wishing to see some more sights you might like to finish off what there is to offer in Dunedin or perhaps head to one of New Zealands best kept secrets instead….

The Catlins

The Catlins are a perfect day trip from Cascade Creek Retreat. It is one of our favourite places to visit and to go kayaking, surfing, walking or wildlife watching. It is approximately 45 minutes to Kaka Point, a classic kiwi beachside town. Nugget Point is a must see in any weather.

There are also many stunning beaches worth visiting, including;

Day 5:

The beauty of staying in your own un-hosted secluded and private log cabin, is that when you wake up amongst all its beauty, you can choose whether you would like to stay there that day and just ‘be’ in the stunning valley and rustic luxury of the Retreat, or if you decide you want to head away to discover more, there is still much more to do.

Day 5 might be a great day to visit Central Otago. Central Otago’s stone fruit orchards are a one hour drive away. From December through to May you can purchase or pick your own cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, pears and apples direct from the local growers. Many also sell other products they have made from their fruit. It is also a very nice drive to enjoy the diverse landscape which is within such a short distance.

Day 6:

It is departure day today, but before your leave you get to enjoy your complimentary continental breakfast with your delicious hot coffee from the coffee machine, listening to the birdsong as the valley awakes around you. Take a moment to write a personalised Cascade Creek postcard to your friends or family sharing with them the wonderful stay you have just enjoyed.

Other suggested day trips just a short drive from Cascade Creek:

  • Bull Creek
    Bull Creek is a small coastal area popular with locals. With a walking track, picnic area and small beach spots, it is a great place for a picnic lunch or a day trip from Cascade Creek Retreat.
  • Chrystalls Beach
    A lovely long East Coast beach to stroll along. Please note, this is a steep beach, which can get quite rough. It is not suitable for swimming at any time.
  • Taieri Millennium Track
    This is a great walking track that runs from Henley down the Lower Taieri River to the coast at Taieri mouth.
  • Clutha Gold Trail & Lawrence township
    The Clutha Gold Trail takes you on a journey of discovery within a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. Ride or walk alongside the powerful Clutha Mata-au River through a fertile valley,secluded gorge and into lush green farmland.