4 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Cairns Alpine Resort Offering a unique high country experience from page 3 Families love the resort’s animal petting farmyard with merino sheep, alpaca, chickens and a friendly kunekune pig. The Cairns Alpine Resort also works closely with Mackenzie Helicopters whose hangar is on Balmoral Station. “They can pick up guests from here, take them up to Glenmore Station’s aptly named ‘Bad Decision Hut’ which doubles as the highest whisky bar in the world (2100m) and then go and have a look at Mt Cook before flying them back here. Guests get a kick out of renaming the hut as ‘a good decision’.” A recommended dining out option is Tekapo’s Blue Lake Eatery and Bar, whose owner recently took out the Brewers Guild of New Zealand’s prestigious champion NZ beer award. Or those in search of a good read can browse the inspirational titles at Petronella’s Gallery and Bookstore. Families love the resort’s animal petting farmyard with merino sheep, alpaca, chickens and a friendly kunekune pig, (funnily enough named Whisky!). “We’re getting a lot of family groups and friend groups coming through who like to stay a few nights and book it out for that special occasion, such as a 60th birthday,” says property manager Lisa Gilmour. “They just love it here.” The Cairns Alpine Resort and Golf Club is very much a local venture, having been developed by the Simpson family who have farmed Balmoral Station on the western shores of Lake Tekapo for decades. Andrew and Karen Simpson bought the station in 1975 and their three children – Ben, Amanda and Sam – were born and raised there. All are board members in the family business with Sam now managing Balmoral Station. In 2020, Mt Hay Station on the lake’s eastern side was added to their portfolio with a view to integrating it with Balmoral, (using it to supply livestock for Balmoral’s 270ha finishing farm). Today, forestry also sits alongside farming as a productive enterprise for the family. Sharing this special part of the world with other people has long been a key goal for the family, along with a desire to spread risk through strategic diversification. Lake Tekapo Enterprises, operating as their property development arm, has completed a number of subdivisions, the most recent being Riverside Stage 1 & 2. With the benefit of hindsight, their timing was perfect with 94 out of the 103 lots sold as the market appreciated, fuelled by the buoyant tourism sector. “Inquiries for sections dropped after last year’s lockdown but then picked up again in June/July this year,” says Andy. “We had seven sections left mid-year and now only have one. “Our demographic has changed to young Canterbury-based families wanting to build a bach or holiday house in Tekapo which ultimately is great for Tekapo and our community.” With the brakes on international travel, New Zealanders have taken advantage of the lull and are getting out exploring and enjoying their own country. Andy says occupancy is more of less balanced with 60% of guests visiting from the South Island and 40% from the North Island. “A really pleasing aspect is the increasing number of repeat guests enjoying our space and secondly the number of referrals we are receiving which to us is testament we have the recipe about right.” monk fencing mackenzie basin - rural fencing Email monkfencing@gmail.com Proud to be associated with Cairns Development Phone Nathan 021 203 1076 We are one of South Canterbury’s most vigorous and progressive legal firms, with knowledge across a wide range of legal areas. Come to us for expert, trustworthy advice delivered in a down to earth way. timpanywalton.co.nz Proud to support Cairns Development rough & milne landscape architects www.roughandmilne.co.nz landscape and urban design | master planning landscape and visual assessment ...are proud to be working with Cairns Development
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