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Wild Cattle Hill

Canterbury


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Eating and Drinking

EATING AND DRINKING

Wild Cattle Hill is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the facilities provided in your cottage kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots, and pans that you'll need.

If you want a break from cooking at any stage, Akaroa is just a 30-minute drive away, and you'll have plenty to choose from there, such as Mandala Restaurant and Bully Hayes.

The closest place for supplies is the 4-Square in Akaroa. The town also has some fantastic alternative food outlets, like the local butcher and deli.

Things to Do

THINGS TO DO

Wild Cattle Hill is close to the action for people wanting to visit the sights of Akaroa, but it is also a great place to simply unwind. Your visit can be as action-packed or as relaxing as you choose.

If you’re keen on a scenic walk, there are plenty of walks in the surrounding area. The Pigeon Bay Walkway is a 3.5-hour walk around the headlands (only open during the summer season). The Hay Scenic Walk Reserve walk is 30 minutes through the ancient forest. Both are relatively flat and easy to walk. Montgomery Scenic Reserve****is located near the Hilltop, a 2-hour walk inclining up through grasslands until you reach Montgomery Peak with spectacular harbour views.

The Pigeon Bay region also offers boating, paddleboarding, kayaking and diving. A great place for a bit of adventure, as well as a picnic on a sunny day.

Head out for a day trip to Akaroa, where you will find plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes. The popular Akaroa Dolphin Harbour Cruiseis a great choice if you want to get out on the water and see some wildlife.

Enjoy your stay at Wild Cattle Hill by soaking in the outdoor hot tub, playing a few board games next to the cosy fire, or getting active with a game of Pétanque on the lawn.

Your Hosts

YOUR HOSTS

Your hosts at Wild Cattle Hill are Jo, Andy and their loyal working dogs Bandit, Chief, Ed, Gunner and Tiger.

Jo and Andy love their stunning Banks Pennisula farm for its tranquillity and dynamic landscapes. It is a special part of Andy’s family history as it was purchased by his parents in the late 80s and became a home for Andy and his siblings growing up.

After travelling and working overseas for a few years post-university, Andy and Jo bought a house in Akaroa. Jo started and ran a cafe in Akaroa for the next 12 years, while Andy was close enough to commute to work on the farm again. In 2009, they permanently moved to the farm.

The cottage, now known as Wild Cattle Hill, was built in 1926 for the owners while the homestead was being built. In the recent decade, it had been uninhabited after the Canterbury earthquake struck. They decided to take action and undertake a full-blown renovation to bring the building back to life.

Wild Cattle Hill is the geographical name of the hill just behind the cottage.

TESTIMONIALS

“ Beautifully clean and comfortable place to take a breath and relax. ”

Brett Campbell- 2025-10-12

20 / 20

“ Wild Cattle Hill was exactly as described and more! We felt at home right away. After a stressful day travelling it was such a welcome relief to arrive in such beautiful surroundings inside and out! The house is lovely, the views are amazing and everything was so spot on! Highly recommend! ”

Tracy Morrow- 2026-04-01

1 / 20

“ Really enjoyed our stay at Wild Cattle Hill. The views are amazing, the house has all the comforts you need, and the little extra touches from Jo of homebaking and fresh eggs for breakfast were just the cherry on top! ”

Roxanne Pickford- 2026-03-12

2 / 20

“ A super getaway location or a base to explore Banks Peninsula. Very well-appointed accommodation and a secluded place to enjoy the view from the hot tub. Lovely touches, fresh eggs and home-made cookies. ”

Jane Coleman- 2026-02-27

3 / 20

“ ”

Simon Wing- 2026-02-11

4 / 20

“ We loved our stay at Wild Cattle Hill. The setting is stunning and the cottage is absolutely beautiful and super comfortable. The hot tub is amazing! We had such an amazing relaxing time! ”

Brianna Yaakoup- 2026-02-09

5 / 20

“ We absolutely loved our stay at Wild Cattle Hill. The overall cleanliness was outstanding and everything had been thought of to provide a lovely, relaxing stay. The hosts were lovely and gave us fresh cookies and eggs. Views were 10/10. Awesome location to charge the batteries and escape reality! ”

Emily Kenning- 2026-02-09

6 / 20

“ We loved our stay here. Lovely setting and very clean with all the amenities you could need! ”

Kayla Waters- 2026-02-06

7 / 20

“ We really enjoyed our stay here. Couldn’t fault anything and the views were insane! ”

Matthew Miller- 2026-01-14

8 / 20

“ Beautiful wee cottage, it was beautifully decorated and very clean & tidy. Totally private, felt like you were in the middle of nowhere but with all the nicest facilities available! ”

Maree Blair- 2025-12-10

9 / 20

“ We found the cottage immaculately prepared, cosy and very comfortable. We enjoyed the thoughtfully renovated decor and welcoming touches such as a handwritten note from Jo, coffee pods and delicious homemade cookies. Its location in a high spot on the farm is secluded and perfect for a weekend retreat. Sitting in the hot tub on the deck, soaking up the sights and sounds of birdsong, farm animals, and sweeping views across the bay and surrounding farmland, was pure contentment. We recommend the Hay Reserve in Pigeon Bay, with its playful fantails and magnificent ancient trees, and a stroll around the waterfront to the wharf to further experience the beauty and history of the area. This is a magical spot which left us feeling relaxed and ready to come back again. ”

Paula Rippon- 2025-12-07

10 / 20

“ A truly amazing place to stay. We didn’t want to leave. The views, the hot pool, the great kitchen facilities, the bird song and the tranquility all made for a relaxing few days. Will definitely be back to enjoy again. ”

Rebecca Burdett- 2025-12-03

11 / 20

“ It was a great stay. We were so happy. Us and nature. ”

Merce Domenech- 2025-11-30

12 / 20

“ The cottage was beautifully maintained and clean, and the extra touches (fresh flowers and homemade cookies) made us feel welcome. ”

Holly Weale- 2025-11-21

13 / 20

“ The privacy and peace was a welcome relief from busy city life. ”

Zohnia McNeill- 2025-11-18

14 / 20

“ Perfect place to immerse yourself in New Zealand’s stunning nature. The views, the sounds, all in the comfort of a hot tub. ”

Lynette Idio- 2025-11-01

15 / 20

“ I saw how beautiful and rustic it was in pictures, but Wild Cattle Hill was more than that in person. My mum and I bonded over our time there, cooking dinner on the grill, soaking in the hot tub, playing board games, and looking at the adorable cattle and sheep on the property. ”

Cas Ho- 2025-10-21

16 / 20

“ Both the host and the premise exceeded our expectations in every way. The cottage itself was fantastic, with all the facilities and incredible views of the sunsets and sunrises that we could have hoped for. Every detail has been considered and executed, ensuring that all the amenities we needed were available. We were welcomed with a beautifully written note that included the host's contact details, which made us feel right at home. It was wonderful to have the privacy to enjoy the space and our weekend, as we were left to our own devices. The special little touches, such as the homemade cookies, a prepared fire, coffee pods, milk, and other basic items, made our stay even more delightful. We could not be more pleased with our experience, and we highly recommend this accommodation to anyone seeking a perfect getaway. Thank you for making our stay so memorable and enjoyable. ”

Paula Frost- 2025-10-21

17 / 20

“ This was great. Such an amazing spot. The feeling of relaxation and bliss was so well received and was needed. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay. ”

Will Herbst- 2025-10-15

18 / 20

“ Wild Cattle Hill was an amazing and magical stay. The view is amazing and we got very lucky with the weather. The hosts are very friendly and helpful. ”

Kym East- 2025-10-14

19 / 20

“ Beautifully clean and comfortable place to take a breath and relax. ”

Brett Campbell- 2025-10-12

20 / 20

“ Wild Cattle Hill was exactly as described and more! We felt at home right away. After a stressful day travelling it was such a welcome relief to arrive in such beautiful surroundings inside and out! The house is lovely, the views are amazing and everything was so spot on! Highly recommend! ”

Tracy Morrow- 2026-04-01

1 / 20

Scenic coastal landscape viewed through a golden tent opening, showing lush green hillside with forest line meeting turquoise ocean waters under clear blue sky

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