WELCOME TO MUDDY HILL

Our home, Muddy Hill, is a secluded 9 acre lifestyle property located at Arrow Junction. It’s not far off the main road and is within easy reach of many of our region's loveliest spots - a 5 minute drive to Arrowtown, 10 minutes to Gibbston Valley and some of Central Otago’s finest wineries and the Bungy Bridge, handy to the Queenstown cycle trail network (a 130km cycleway linking Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston). Lake Hayes and the Arrow River are both only a couple of minutes’ drive from our gate where you’ll find fabulous walking tracks. We’re also only 10 minutes from Frankton’s Five Mile shopping centre and 15 minutes from Queenstown airport. The property is elevated and has a stunning rural outlook with 360 degree mountain vistas including Coronet Peak, Brow Peak, the Crown Range and The Remarkables ski field road, and is flanked by other large land holdings. We have a beautiful 2.5 acre garden which is a show-stopper in spring, and includes an orchard, large vegetable garden, ponds and other uniquegarden features which guests are welcome to explore, all surrounded by our paddocks. A large barn houses both our business workshop and private museum (visits by appointment). Located in a rural neighbourhood, our property is flanked by other lifestyle holdings. Most of our neighbours graze horses, fallow deer and sheep or crop their land. You will definitely see plenty of the rabbit activity that Central Otago is infamous for! There is an abundance of birdlife - we are often visited by tuis, fantails and families of quail, and hawks and falcons can often be seen gliding overhead. If you enjoy cycling or walking, we are very close the Morven Ferry Road access to the Queenstown Trails. From there you can choose to bike along the river trail into Arrowtown and beyond, or perhaps head up the Gibbston Valley to a local winery or head over Morven Hill towards Queenstown where you'll get spectacular views of the Kawarau River. Beautiful Lake Hayes is only over the hill - 2 minutes by car - and also has an excellent 8km cycle/walking track around the lake. Historic Arrowtown is only a five-minute drive away and is a firm favourite with guests. Wander down Buckingham Street and choose from a variety of cafes and restaurants, browse the shops, take a walk by the river and pan for gold or explore the Miners Village. A 45 minute walk up Tobin's Track will reward you with an outstanding view of the Queenstown Basin, Lakes Hayes and Lake Wakatipu. Our tiny home is equipped with: - A kitchenette with all you need to prepare your light meals, including a cookware, portable cooker, cooking utensils, dishes & silverware, cutlery, microwave, and a mini-fridge. (or if you prefer to relaxing to cooking, check out our breakfast and board menu here!) - A bathroom that operates in an ecologically sustainable principle, comprising of a waterless environmentally friendly compost toilet, shower (gas heated for hot showers), hand basin, hair dryer. - Air conditioning. - A comfy queen sized bed with fresh bed sheets. - A sitting area to chill and enjoy nature at its best. - Outdoor seating and firepit with stunning mountain views (firepit not available in fire ban season). - In line with our sustainable principles, we provide a composting bucket for fruit and vegetable scraps, and recycling and rubbish bins are available for guest use. Breakfast & Charcuterie boards are available at extra cost. Wherever possible, fresh seasonal ingredients are sourced from our vegetable garden and orchard. Delicious preserves and condiments are home made with our own fruit and vegetables. View our menu here. Mountain bikes & helmets available for daily rental. Other things to note: We have two small dogs who free-roam on our property. Both are both well socialised and very friendly. We run our business, Old School Mechanical Ltd, which specialises in repairs, service and restoration of classic and vintage cars from the barn on our property (which also houses our museum) weekdays 8.30am-5.00pm, and there may be potential for noise during these hours. Due to health & safety regulations we must also ask guests not to approach or enter the workshop unsupervised please. Museum visits are available at no cost by appointment. There are several open ponds on our property which make it unsuitable for small children. Due to the elevation of the property there is potential for traffic noise from the main highway especially during peak hours and on still days. Our neighbours use a variety of farm equipment such as quad bikes, tractors, harrows, etc which guests may hear from time to time. We are rural so you may encounter insects, especially in the evenings. No smoking allowed on the property - vaping outdoors ok. No unregistered guests or visitors are allowed. No Wifi available but excellent mobile coverage. Tempted to take a moment or two with us? Check availability here.
PLACES TO VISIT
Historic Arrowtown - village shopping, restaurants and cafes, river walks, Miners Village. So much to see and do all within walking distance. Plenty of car parking down by the river. Arrowtown in autumn is simply breathtaking or wander through huge drifts of flowering lupins by the river in spring. Gibbston Valley - AJ Hackett bungee jumping, Gibbston Valley winery, Chard Farm winery, Peregrine Winery, Mt Rosa winery, Gibbston Tavern. Drive or cycle, it's a fabulous day out! Queenstown - drive (or bus from Arrowtown) into Queenstown. Take a trip across the lake on the Historic Earnslaw steamer to Walter Peak Station for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. They also host farm tours and have fabulous gardens to enjoy. Or just do a round-trip. Be sure to watch the stokers flinging coal! Kevin's great uncle Stan ran the Earnslaw (launched 1912) for many years so it's a family favourite for us. Visit the Kiwi Birdlife park or take a stroll through Queenstown gardens. Take a gondola ride to the top of the skyline for lunch or a luge. Best not forget to mention world-famous Ferg burger if you don't mind queuing. Cardrona Hotel - pop over the Crown Range (stopping up the top at the viewing platform - see if you can spot Muddy Hill!) and take a 25 minute drive to Cardrona. Lunch at the historic Cardrona Hotel is an absolute must-do. We highly recommend the buttermilk chicken! Craft brewery tour - a great afternoon out. We enjoyed it so much we've done it twice.
PLACES TO EAT
The Fork and Tap (Arrowtown) - relaxed dining or takeaway. Delicious, locally sourced food, 19 beer taps and an extensive wine list. Irish music sessions every Wednesday from 6pm. Arrowtown Bakery - the world's best little pie shop. Highly recommended - try lamb & mint, venison or thai chicken. Wolf Coffee Roasters (Arrowtown) - small batch coffee roasted on the premises. Where we get our local coffee fix - you won't be disappointed! La Rumbla (Arrowtown) - exceptional tapas and cocktail bar. Our all-time favourite. Slow Cuts (Arrowtown) - succulent slow-cooked meats, burgers and fresh salads. New Orleans Hotel (Arrowtown) - established in 1866, the original Arrowtown country pub. Great for a traditional Sunday roast. Wet Jacket Winery - just up the hill from us, hosted tastings by appointment. A portion of every $20 tasting fee goes towards the Southern Fiordland Initiative. Gibbston Valley Winery - seasonal menus reflecting local flavours expertly matched with their wines. Their wine cave tour is also a fun must-see. Gibbston Tavern - delicious all day menu including wood fired pizzas, great local beers on tap. Arrowtown Four Square - Adamson Drive, Arrowtown. Friendly local service and well-stocked with all of your essentials including beer & wine - a 5 minute drive.
Tempted to spend a moment or two with us? Check availability here