House on a hill
When Ponatahi farmers Mark and Susannah Guscott decided to diversify into the visitor accommodation business, they had a 800 hectare blank canvas on which to build. But the location for their new luxury retreat really picked itself, as the stunning views testify. By Simon Burt. Photos by Sharisse Eberlein.
A few minutes north of Martinborough, the Guscott’s property Glen Eden is a sheep, beef and cropping farm which has been in Mark’s family for seven European generations. The couple feel deeply grounded to the land here and wanted to share it with city folk looking for a private, peaceful place to shake off the working week. The result is Whitimanuka, a purpose-built, quality-appointed hideaway where guests can do as much or as little as they like.
Whitimanuka is reached by climbing into the sky along a 3km farm road so picturesque that the access itself is a de-stressing experience. Marked walking tracks dart off through spectacular native bush and a disused colonial cottage suggests simpler, bygone times. At a juncture on the summit of the farm road, a right turn takes you to the retreat itself, and the full majesty of the South Wairarapa valley far below presents itself. Greytown and Featherston are at your feet and Lake Wairarapa and the South Island form a magnificent backdrop.
A room with a stupendous view. Photo by Sharisse Eberlein.
Susannah worked with local architect Victoria Read to achieve the form and function she had in mind. “I wanted to create something I’d like to stay in myself,” Susannah says. “I wanted black and white, and timber, and architectural.” Distance from the road dictated going full solar, but with gas hot water, a log burner and good battery storage there are no power restrictions (although there’s an automatic standby generator just in case).
The property has full wheelchair access and a cleverly designed bathroom features a tub that feels like it’s outdoors but isn’t. “We’ll appeal to couples looking for something a bit different. It’s also nice to be able to get urbanites backin touch with what’s happening on the farm. We actually love sitting up here ourselves and watching a mob of sheep or cattle go past – we often don’t realise what we’ve got until we stop and look.”
Martinborough is currently in the process of gaining official Dark Sky status and with its minimal ambient light, Whitimanuka is a perfect location for staring at the heavens. Becky Bateman of Under the Stars astronomy tours can come and give visitors the full galaxy-gazing experience. The retreat supplies astro binoculars and books to identify the planets.
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Susannah’s background is in environmental planning, so meeting Mark and settling on the farm has given her a wonderful outlet for her interest in things eco. Soon after taking over Glen Eden they fenced off an 18-hectare block of native bush and a four-hectare wetland. The farm’s entire river boundary is also fully fenced and they’re involved with the Ponatahi Eco Zone, a group of locals who do environmental projects in the area. Susannah plans to tally up the Whitimanuka bookings at the beginning of each winter and plant a tree for every guest.
In a district with a growing visitor industry, Whitimanuka has arrived at the perfect time. “When we’d finished our travelling, put other careers on hold and come back here, we’d drive up to the top and see how amazing it is, what a perfect spot to build something. Once our kids were all at school we had a bit more head space for another project, and here it is.”
So the wide open canvas has been painted, and it’s a very pretty picture.
For more information, www.whitimanuka.co.nz
