News

No smoking or vaping ?

No smoking or vaping ?

  • Posted on December 2, 2019
  • /Under News
Did you know? The majority of people don’t smoke, even among our top overseas visitors. % non smokers: New Zealand 84% Australia 85% Europe 70% United Kingdom 78% China 75%. New Zealand has a goal to be smokefree by 2025, meaning that less than 5% of our population will smoke by this time. From 1st January, smoking or vaping will not be permitted anywhere at Tussock Peak Motor Lodge: Smoking and vaping have not been permitted in our motel rooms for many years. As part of New Zealand’s ambition to be smoke-free by 2025, from 1st January 2020,…continue reading →
Making a safer place for our native birds

Making a safer place for our native birds

  • Posted on December 18, 2018
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In October the kowhai flower and the tuis are all around the village. In December the flax flowers attract the bellbirds. The sound of their song is truely wonderful. Bellbird at Tussock Peak, drinking nectar from flax flowers in the garden We have recently supported the Te Tihi o Rauhea Hanmer Springs Conservation Trust, by funding the purchase of a self-setting predator trap. The trust would like to place 100 traps to catch rats and stoats, in the hope that it will bring 1,000 native birds back into the area. If you wish…continue reading →
Fascinating vase from Fossil Point

Fascinating vase from Fossil Point

  • Posted on August 26, 2018
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On a recent day trip through the Waipara wine country, we dropped in at the Fossil Point cafe. Unless you know what a great place this is to stop at, most travellers on state highway 1 would whizz past this cafe and gallery, at the turnoff to Greta Valley. The cafe has lovely homemade, top quality food. There is indoor seating but on a sunny day the best place is to sit and relax in the outdoor area. Another good reason to visit is to look at the local art for sale. On…continue reading →
New walking route – to Mt. Dumblane

New walking route – to Mt. Dumblane

  • Posted on August 19, 2018
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The Mt Isobel Tramping Group has recently completed volunteer work on establishing a clearly marked poled route from Jacks Pass to the summit of Mt Dumblane. This delightful walk is now available as an alternative day hike to the higher traditional Hanmer Springs to Mt Isobel route. How to get there: A short drive along Jacks Pass Road from the centre of Hanmer Springs village, turn right just past the medical centre and drive up the unsealed Clarence Valley Road to the carpark at the top (approx. 20 minutes). Alternatively first walk up…continue reading →

New beds & BluRay players – update

  • Posted on May 3, 2018
  • /Under News
We have just completed updating all of our 10 studio rooms with brand new (2018) Sleepyhead Elegance King beds, super comfortable! Update: we have now (2019) updated all the 1- and 2-bedroom units with new beds as well. That's the whole motel! We have also purchased BluRay players for all of the Executive Spa Studio's and the Honeymoon Spa Studio, to boost the viewing pleasure of your in-room entertainment (not forgetting we have complementary Netflix!). These studios are all upstairs with their own balcony and view to the trees and mountains. The Standard Spa…continue reading →
Bye bye SKY, hello NETFLIX

Bye bye SKY, hello NETFLIX

  • Posted on March 15, 2018
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We've surveyed our guests and the conclusion is clear, our trial of offering Netflix is a better addition to the Freeview channels than anything SKY has to offer. So, from 1st April 2018 it's bye bye SKY and hello Netflix for good. By dropping SKY we are able to invest in things that you our guests will get more pleasure from, not only Netflix but also new beds, pictures, etc.. You can influence this too... let us know what you think will make your stay more enjoyable.   The media has recently reported…continue reading →
The story behind the painting

The story behind the painting

  • Posted on January 13, 2018
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Many who stay at Tussock Peak comment at check-in, on the beautiful painting we have hanging on the back wall of the office. We were very lucky to have seen Diana Adams's work early in her career at an exhibition in the Little River Art Gallery, I think it was around 2004, but all the works we liked were already sold. We were living in Denmark at the time so we put ourselves on her mailing list for when her next series was going to be sold. When that day came, in 2005,…continue reading →
Santa, the Christmas parade and carols (and that very popular video)

Santa, the Christmas parade and carols (and that very popular video)

  • Posted on December 2, 2017
  • /Under News
If you're in Hanmer Springs on Friday December 15th, then here is what is happening: 12.00 - 3.00 pm: Santa will be at the Heritage Hotel to hear what you wish for this Christmas. 3.00 - 3.30 pm: THE CHRISTMAS PARADE, will be passing Tussock Peak Motor Lodge so great views from outside and on the stairs near the road. Get the kids ready to catch sweets as the floats go past. 3.30 - 5.00 pm: outside 4-Square supermarket = kids activities, face painting, dress-up competition, Pass-the-parcel game, colouring competition... probably also other…continue reading →