Kopu to Paeroa information

Between Thames and Paeroa is the historic homestead of Corbett House.

It’s a step back in time yet with all the luxuries of modern day, and guests are welcomed by hosts David and Anja Corbett where they enjoy the full splendour of the couple’s tireless hours in the gardens and ongoing improvements. There’s a spa pool, swimming pool, sheep in the shaded paddock behind, and recently the couple built a large and impressive barn with cedar barn doors which is being used to host wedding parties. Corbett House is a home that’s rich with history – the personal history of David’s ancestors. The Corbetts’ have researched the history of the home, which makes for great conversations over the dining or breakfast table. David’s Grandfather’s auntie – Julia Corbett – built a church beside the home and then had the five bedroom house built in 1920 to keep her nine children away from the successful tavern that she ran not far from the home.

Today, guests are accommodated in rooms upstairs and share two bathrooms between them, and their Corbett House drinking experience is as refined as Julia Corbett would have thought proper. A giant billiard table fills one of the grand rooms and guests mingle with other guests as well as the hosts who live onsite, so naturally it’s expected that all guests to this home are vaccinated. David and Anja have worked hard to provide a personalised experience for visitors and were recently named among the top historic B&B’s in New Zealand by a NZ Herald article.

HERITAGE B&B | WEDDING VENUE

Boutique accommodation in a breathtaking historic rural landscape

Built in the 1920’s, this Heritage Arts & Crafts style home offers: Full cooked breakfasts / Three unique rooms / Outdoor pool Cedar hot tub / Extensive gardens / Free WiFi / Large living areas 12ft billiards table / Function Hire

Hikutaia is located just 200m from the Hauraki rail trail Find out more at corbetthouse.co.nz 8088 SH 26, Hikutaia | Ph 07 8624 753

In a tough year, they also expanded their business by taking on a long term lease for the neighbouring Catholic church, and have plans to link the magnificent front gardens with the church and provide a wedding chapel (non-demoninational now that the land is deconsecrated). The church was built just before Julia Corbett had her house built in 1920. She built both to keep her children away from her thriving Pioneer Tavern. Hauraki District was dry with the prohibition and Thames was not, and the boundary is only a few hundred metres from Corbett House. A source of information is the Paper’s Past archives, where they read about the train that would transport not only members of the public but many miners who were enroute to the tavern.

The train would have required fortitude among the mothers bringing their children onboard after a day at the pub, David says. “The miner’s were so drunk and there was so much fighting going on, but as a public train still for the mums and the kids, they would put the kids in the overhead locker to keep them out of the way of all the fighting and carrying on. “We also heard through the grapevine that a Mr Smith had a horse and cart who had a taxi service for the thirsty miners from the train to the pub, and he made so much money that he was able to buy a farm.” The couple do everything themselves on the grounds. As a retired farmer, David is handy and hard working but has had to teach himself about how to tend to roses – and he’s doing a very good job. With its newly established front rose garden in bloom in spring and summer and the soft light of winter through the grounds in winter, a stay in Corbett House is an authentic, hospitable country immersion and highlight of a ride in the area.