The Croft

Opening Midweek Special | Stay 3 Pay 2
Book and stay 3 midweek nights or more between 11 September 2025 and 31 October 2025 and get 3 nights for the price of 2. Promotion ends 31 October 2025. Does not apply to public holidays.

The Croft

Waikari, Canterbury

The Croft is located in Waikari, just one hour from Christchurch city.

The setting is calm and picturesque. Rolling farmland stretches out in front, while behind the cabin, the rugged high-country landscape of matagouri, tussocks and grazing animals creates a timeless New Zealand scene.

A spacious front deck invites you to bask in the sun and enjoy sweeping views of the Hurunui Mountains. Built-in seating makes it the perfect spot to settle in with a blanket and cushions for an evening of stargazing beneath the dark skies.

Inside, the cabin’s minimalist design is bathed in natural light from large windows that frame the surrounding landscape. A well-equipped kitchen, bathroom and cosy lounge provide everything you need for a restful stay.

All around, birdsong and the gentle whisper of wind in the trees create a soothing soundtrack to your escape.

FROM $360

  • Sleeps 2
ADDRESS
 

214 Waikari Valley Road, Scargill 7483

LOCATION
 

The Croft is located in Waikari, just one hour from Christchurch city.

Follow the Google Maps directions to the address.

You will receive a pre-arrival email with detailed arrival instructions and your host's details 5-days prior to your stay.

Note: If you have booked within 5 days and haven't received a pre-arrival email shortly after booking, please email us at [email protected].

The Croft

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gift vouchers

1. Introduction

2. booking and payments

3. Guest cancellations and date changes

4. Host Cancellations

5. safety and hazards

6. pets

7. Activities

8. GST

9. conditions of occupancy and conduct

10. Complaints

11. Liability

12. Gift vouchers

13. Law

14. Changes to booking conditions

15. Authority to sign

  • eating and drinking

    The Croft is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the four-burner gas stove and electric oven provided in your kitchen. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

    If you’d rather dine out, there are some wonderful local options nearby. Just a two-minute drive away, the Star & Garter pub serves classic pub fare alongside a full Thai menu, with the option for takeaways (open Wednesday to Sunday 3pm - 9pm). For a relaxed breakfast or lunch, the Waikari Kitchen is a great choice, known for its fresh handmade food and good coffee (open Wednesday - Sunday 7am - 2pm).

    A little further afield, about 15 minutes drive in the Waipara/Omihi area, you’ll find two exceptional wineries. Black Estate offers cellar door tastings and a restaurant with a focus on local and organic produce. Greystone provides a similar experience, with seasonal menus of outstanding quality.

    For supplies, the nearest Four Square is in Hawarden, less than 10 minutes away, while larger supermarkets can be found in Amberley, just a 20-minute drive from the property.

  • things to do

    Take a leisurely wander around our two paddocks, or curl up inside with a choice of board games, card decks, or a good read from the bookcases filled with magazines, fiction, and non-fiction. Binoculars are on hand if you’d like a closer look at the local birdlife.

    For adventures further afield, the old Waikari Village Walkway - a picturesque 30-45 minute walk.

    We also recommend the Māori Rock Art Walk through Weka Pass History Reserve. The track begins on State Highway 7, opposite the Weka Pass Railway Station (just above Waikari Kitchen Café). Follow the trail until you reach the sign for the Rock Art. The walk is steep in places, but well worth the effort, taking around 90 minutes return at a leisurely pace. Note this walk is closed during lambing season.

  • your hosts

    Your hosts at The Croft are Sarah and James.

    Sarah and James have owned the property for over a decade, spending the first six years sleeping in a caravan on the land. When they first bought the land, the only trees were a large poplar, a willow at the rear, and a spring wattle. Since then, they have planted hundreds of trees and shrubs, transforming the land into a mix of cosy, pastoral charm, framed by the rugged foothills of the Southern Alps.

    The Croft is a calming place to escape the pace of city life and enjoy the changing light, views, and rhythms of nature. Surrounding farms are traditional sheep and cattle operations, adding to the authentic rural feel.

    James is a senior architect, and Sarah has recently finished her role as an EA in civil construction. Together, they love sharing the peaceful setting with guests.

    The name “The Croft” was inspired by their time living in England, when travels through Ireland, Scotland, and Wales introduced them to crofters’ houses – modest, beautiful dwellings that blended into the landscape and were designed to house both families and small herds of animals.