FAQ
What meals can I expect
Nice ones
How do I get there
The drive to Bendigo Ridge can be considered the start of your adventure. Our entrance is 1.8km up the gravel Blue Mines Road which winds through the various picturesque vineyards. Follow the small signs to 186A Blue Mines Road. The road is rough and can be bumpy. No special vehicle is required. Just head up the hill at a speed you are comfortable with and we will see you at the top. At the highest vineyard there is a private road off to your right, that's your turn. We are 750m along the private road. If you get to a cattle grid you are now entering The DOC Bendigo Scenic Reserve and have missed your turn by xxxxm.
From Christchurch. Follow signs towards Queenstown. From Tarras, after 9km turn left onto Bendigo Loop Rd. Brown signs show "Mondillo Vineyard". Turn left into Blue Mines Rd after 3.7km
From Queenstown
From Wanaka. Follow signs to Christchurch. At the T-junction (Christchurch left, Queenstown right) turn right. After 7.9km, turn left in Bendigo Loop Rd. Brown signs show "Mondillo Vineyard". Turn left into Blue Mines Rd after 3.7km
Google Maps: 186A Blue Mines Rd
What's the weather like
In summer (December - March) it can get very hot in the daytime (32 degC) and typically much cooler at night (15 deg C). It can rain, but infrequently.
In winter (late May-mid Sept) is a lot colder (5-12 oC daytime), often 0 at night. It can snow but that is rare and typically doesn't last
In spring (September to December) it is getting warmer and can be windy
Autumn months (March/April/May) the weather is typically settled and very pleasant
However, it is a mountainous area and anything can happen at any time, but within a few days tends to be quite predictable. We use the Windy weather app with the MeteoBlue model and find it quite accurate for our area (Bendigo New Zealand)
Can we pay online
Yes, 50% deposit at time of booking, the remainder 21 days before your arrival date. If booking is within the 21 days of arrival date full fee required. After your booking has been accepted and we have refined your itinerary and activities, we will forward you a payment link.
Do you have WiFi /Mobile signal
We have very good free unlimited WiFi powered by Starlink. It is perfect for streaming and for 2-way video calling
Mobile coverage is generally good but is patchy. If you have WiFi calling on your phone, activate that when staying
Are children welcome
Bendigo Ridge is an adults only property
Refund policy
- Full refund if you cancel on month ahead of arrival date.
- More than 7 days before your arrival date, a refund of 50% of your fee. Please discuss with us if you would like to rebook for a later date and we can hold your fee towards that date.
Pets policy
Please inquire. We appreciate people travelling with their pets and we may accept your pet with some ground-rules. We are an unfenced property.
Parking
We have plenty of parking available
Charging of EVs or ebikes
We don't have charging facilities for EVs - the nearest facility is in Cromwell 20km away at the BP and at New World
You are welcome to charge your ebike if you bring a charger
Your room has adequate power points but you will need your own phone chargers (we can help out if you get caught short of course!)
Power is 230V with Australia/New Zealand plugs. We are powered by the sun and the NZ grid which is 85-90% sustainably generated power
Is the water safe to drink
Yes! It is the most delicious pure filtered and UV treated chlorine-free water
Are you licenced for alcohol sales
No we are not a licenced premises, please feel free to bring alcoholic beverages should you chose
What shops are nearby
The nearest shops are in Cromwell which has two supermarkets, fuel and most amenities of a provincial town
The nearest 7-day pharmacy is in Wanaka. Cromwell has pharmacies but none are open 7 days. Please ensure you have adequate medical supplies
Where can I go wine-tasting
We offer a bespoke wine-tasting experience through one of our local vineyards.
While we have many world-class vineyards close by, none currently offer cellar door sales or tastings. The nearest one that does is Cloudy Bay (10min) and in Cromwell (Quartz Reef, Mishas, Wooing Tree, Scott Base), in Bannockburn (Mt Difficulty, Felton Rd, Te Kano, Carrick, Akarua, Terra Sancta, Dicey)
Do you cater for food allergies
As all your meals are catered by us in-house we cannot guarantee a kitchen free from contamination. We use locally sourced lamb, beef, poultry, dairy, vegetables, fruit and nuts which will all be found in our kitchen supplies.
Please advise at time of enquiry or booking if you have allergies and we will advise if we can cater to your specific requirements.
We offer a choice of dairy milk and oat milk in coffee and tea
Can we cook our own meals
Your stay will be fully catered. The kitchen is not available for guests to use
Does the room have a mini-bar
There is a complimentary mini-bar fridge shared by the two rooms, including a range of drinks. You are also free to use this for your own supplies
Do we need to bring bedding | what amenities are there
No, everything is supplied and is high quality
The bathroom has quality plant-based shampoo and conditioner and hand/body wash
Your room has a hair dryer, safe, yoga mat, foam roller, wardrobe, torch and binoculars. If you need anything else for your stay, please ask
TV
We have no terrestrial reception and rely on streaming apps -- either on the TV or from your device. Each room has a TV that allows for Chromecast or AirPlay. The TV in the Living Room also has Sky Sport for your golf, tennis, F1, football or oval-ball fix
The WiFi is excellent so don't worry about streaming quality
Medical Facilities
The nearest 7-day pharmacy is in Wanaka. Cromwell has pharmacies but none are open 7 days. Please ensure you have adequate medical supplies
We are in a remote area, with 5-day facilities in Cromwell (20min), 6/7 day in Wanaka (40min) and a small hospital in Clyde (35min)
Are you wheelchair friendly
This is rugged country and as such not really suited to mobility-impaired guests