Review of Garston Bed and Breakfast accomodation.

I recommend this accommodation to people travelling by car to, from, or through Queenstown towards or from Te Anau, Milford Sound, Invercargill, or Gore as an alternative to staying at any of those centres.

The advantages can be:

(a) possibly a slightly lower cost than a similar quality of accommodation at the above centres.

(b) It is 40 minutes south of Queenstown which might more comfortably allocate travelling time between the days of one's trip.

(c) The staff are likely to be the live in proprietors of the business who are typical rural Southland (NZ's historical southern province) people, living in a somewhat rural setting. One gets a sense of living with these people and learning about the place and how they live.

I stayed at this accommodation as a paying guest on 16 Jan 2013. I had pre-booked by phoning 03 2488516 (it would be 64-3-2488516 from outside NZ). Booking was prompt and easy. It cost $90 for two people for bed a good breakfast of fruit, toast cereals etc. I was offered an evening meal for $25.00. Possibly this is only offered to guests who pre-book.

The accommodation is at 17 Blackmore Road Garston. Blackmore Road is just south of the Garston hotel on the eastern side of Highway 6. Park in the driveway. Although it looks just like a house on the outside the guest bedroom (sleeping for 3) and ensuit is somewhat isolated from the rest of the house. A good range of flowers adorned the frontage.

I enjoyed my overnight stay there. The proprietors would not suspect that I might write a review, indeed I did not suspect this myself. I have been motivated by the apparent lack of internet promotion of this business. After checking in we went for a drive to Nokomai Station. A drive to the top of the Nevis valley might also be possible with a suitable vehicle. These places large scale sheep farming and goldmining history.

Jeanette Loughlin

ph 04 4787683 or 6444787683