Events

Valentine's Day Special

Pen-y-bryn Lodge is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway, where you can enjoy our unparalleled level of service while surrounded by the lodge's ornate architecture and lush gardens. For Valentine's Day we are also putting on a special menu of romantic dishes that are sure to make your time with us truly memorable. Valentine's Day itself falls on a Tuesday this year, so we are offering a special Valentine's Day package on the two surrounding weekends. Stay for two nights, dining with us on one of those nights, for just $1250 (normally $1500), with a complimentary bottle of Waitaki wine awaiting you in your room. If you choose to dine with us both nights, the second night's dinner will be just $85 per person. Contact us on romance@penybryn.co.nz for bookings and more information.

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Otago Sunshine Special

Pen-y-bryn Lodge is teaming up with fellow Otago Lodges of New Zealand members Tiritiri Lodge (Wanaka) and Remarkables Lodge (Queenstown) to offer a special summertime package. Stay a total of six nights (two nights per lodge) at these three five-star luxury lodges and pay for only five. This package includes all the usual perks of a stay at these properties--a la carte breakfast, afternoon tea with pastries, and gourmet dinner--plus a complimentary bottle of local wine at each lodge. The cost of this package is $2260 (normally $2715) and is valid through the summer. Contact otago@remarkables.co.nz for bookings and more information.

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Fundraising for Christchurch

2011 was a difficult year for Christchurch, which suffered a devastating earthquake in February along with numerous aftershocks after that that have ravaged the cityscape. As part of an effort to support the reconstruction of Christchurch, we at Pen-y-bryn have dedicated this year's Gingerbread House to the Garden City, modeling it after the iconic Christ Church Cathedral, which suffered terrible damage. The gingerbread version of the cathedral has generated a lot of interest, and a collection box in the lodge has already collected a steady stream of donations from visitors. For those of you who are not able to visit the gingerbread house yourselves, we have set up a PayPal donation site where you can donate any amount you choose to the reconstruction of Christchurch. All donations collected by 15 January 2012 will be donated to the Christchurch Mayoral Relief Fund, which is dedicated to restoring the city. Thank you in advance for your support!

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Oamerican Car Show

If you're a fan of classic American automobiles, then Oamaru is the place to be from 9 to 12 February 2012. Come show off your own vintage Thunderbird, Mustang, or Corvette, or enjoy the scene as these Motown marvels make their way through the beautiful streets of downtown Oamaru. If you want to participate in the event, then click here to contact the organisers by 30 November 2011. And of course if you're coming to Oamaru for this event, Pen-y-bryn is an ideal base, so contact us for information on making bookings for your overnight stay.

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Experience the Gourmet Treats of the Waitaki District

Pen-y-bryn Lodge is pleased to be working with our friends at Tasty Tours to provide our guests with chauffeur-driven tours of the Waitaki District's culinary offerings. Guests will set off from Pen-y-bryn Lodge for a day-long excursion starting with a tour of the multiple award-winning Whitestone cheese factory, followed by a tasting of their delicious cheeses. From there the tour continues up the Waitaki Valley, home to New Zealand's newest wine appellation, whose Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Rieslings--along with other varietals--are winning acclaim from around the world. Start with a tasting and lunch at the Kurow Village Winery, and continue with a sampling of the valley's wines at the Vintner's Drop together with Ostler Winery owner, Jim Jerram. Return to Oamaru in time for a vertical wine tasting at Birdlands Wine Bar before coming back to the Lodge for dinner. There is no better way to experience the Waitaki's culinary wonders!

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Oamaru "Most Beautiful Spot on Earth"

During a recent tourism conference in Tauranga, ex-Wallaby Peter FitzSimmons had this to say about Oamaru:

 OAMARU is the most beautiful spot on earth, reckons former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons who played seven tests for Australia and who is now a public speaker, author and journalist. “It is certainly the most beautiful place in NZ,” he told the ITOC annual conference. “It amazes me that this spot is not more celebrated. It is most stunning. Oamaru. I have only been there once but what a place.” He told delegates he has been writing about Oamaru for his new book on Scott and the Antarctic.

Terra Nova

“Scott died on March 29 1912. His body was discovered on November 12 and it was not until February 6 1913 that a ship, the Terra Nova, sailed into Oamaru harbour and dispersed four men a three o’clock in the morning.” He added: “I do not know if this story is well known in NZ but they refused to say what their business was. They demanded to be taken to telegraphers and sent out a coded message to say Captain Scott was dead - and it all came from Oamaru.”

Mr FitzSimons first heard of the Otago port through a friend, former All Black Johnny McIntosh, the son of a dairy farmer from just outside the town who played rugby in France at the same time as he did.

So come and see what this Australian visitor considers the most beautiful spot on earth!

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Congratulations (again!) to Riverstone Kitchen

In what is turning out to be an annual event, Riverstone Kitchen just north of Oamaru has once again picked up another accolade at this year's Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Awards! They were named winner of the 2011 Best Restaurant (Casual) on the South Island, being recognised for their exceptionally fresh and tasty dishes, many made with ingredients grown on the restaurant property. We are huge fans of Bevan Smith's cooking, and cannot think of a more deserving winner.

For visitors interested in sampling Riverstone Kitchen's excellent food and combining it with a night's stay at Pen-y-bryn, we are pleased to offer a gourmet package that includes a two-night stay at the Lodge with dinner at the Lodge on one night, a limousine transfer to and from Riverstone for the other night (so you don't have to worry about that second glass of wine from Riverstone's extensive wine list), and complimentary tickets to the evening viewing at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, all at a special price of $1,350 per couple. Contact us on (03) 434 7939 or on gourmet@penybryn.co.nz for bookings.

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Lodge Association Gift Registry Now Available!

Lodges of New Zealand have developed a gift registry system that allows guests to register for a gift voucher good toward a stay or stays at any member lodge, including Pen-y-bryn. The registry allows you to build a fund that can be contributed to over a period of time, with the total given to the recipient in the form of lodge vouchers. This is an ideal way to give a special gift for newlyweds, birthdays, anniversaries, retirements or any occasion. For more information, click here to visit the NZLA website's page on the programme.

 

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