Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The drive to Bendigo Ridge can be considered the start of your adventure.

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. Head to Cromwell and towards SH8. When you cross the Cromwell Bridge at the T junction turn left towards Tarras/ Christchurch. After 14km turn right onto Bendigo Loop Road and after 3.4km turn right into Blue Mines Road

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

Our entrance is 1.8km up the gravel Blue Mines Road which winds through the 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 are wooden posts on your right marked as a private road, that's your turn. We are 750m along the marked private road. If you get to a cattle grid with low stone walls you are now entering The DOC Bendigo Scenic Reserve and have missed your turn by 200m. Retrace the turn off will now be on your left, enjoy the  views.

Our entrance is flanked by two large rocks. At night it is lit so that you don't miss it.

Google Maps: 186A Blue Mines Rd

Breakfast - all ingredients sourced locally where possible

Cereals, yogurt, fruits, toast, baked goods, fruit juice, barista coffee, selection of teas

Dinner - 2 course - Main and dessert

Menu: This will change depending what is in season. You will not go hungry

• Full refund if you cancel 21 days ahead of arrival date.
• 8 to 20 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.
• 7 days or less before your arrival date full payment will be held. If we can resell your booked  dates we will refund your fee less a $50 administration fee.

In summer (December - March) it can get very hot in the daytime (25-32℃) and typically much cooler at night (15℃. It can rain, but infrequently.

In winter (late May-mid Sept) is a lot colder (5-12℃ 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)

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 secure payment link using Stripe.

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

Bendigo Ridge is an adults only property

• Full refund if you cancel 21 days ahead of arrival date.
• More than 8 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.

Please inquire. We appreciate that people might be travelling with their pets. We may accept your pet with some ground-rules. We are an unfenced property.

We have plenty of parking available

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

Yes! It is the most delicious pure filtered and UV treated chlorine-free water

No we are not a licenced premises, please feel free to bring alcoholic beverages should you chose

The nearest shops are in Cromwell which has two supermarkets, pharmacies, fuel and most amenities of a provincial town. The renowned alpine town of Wanaka is a 40 minute drive away. Tarras is a 15 minute drive and has Mrs Robinsons a popular stop for interior design enthusiasts, a classic country cafe which is located next to Perriam, the luxury clothing brand specialising in Merino whose family roots are found on Bendigo Station. There is The Tarras Village Store which will entice you in while you fill your vehicle with fuel or wait for your fruit ice cream to be made.

We offer a bespoke pre-booked wine-tasting experience through a couple of our local vineyards.
While we have many world-class vineyards close by, none currently offer regular open cellar door sales or tastings. The nearest one that does is Cloudy Bay (10min) and in Cromwell (Quartz Reef, Mishas, Wooing Tree, The Brae), in Bannockburn (Mt Difficulty, Felton Rd, Te Kano, Carrick, Akarua, Terra Sancta, Dicey).
Mondillo offers tastings for groups by appointment.

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

The kitchen is not available for guests to use. 

Yes. There is a complimentary mini-bar fridge shared by the two rooms, including in it a range of drinks and snacks. You are also free to use this for your own supplies

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 wardrobe, hair dryer, safe, torch and binoculars. If you need anything else for your stay for example yoga mats, a foam roller, please ask

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

The nearest 7-day pharmacy is in Wanaka. Cromwell has pharmacies which are only open Monday to Friday. Please ensure you have adequate medical supplies

We are in a remote area, The nearest A&E is in Wanaka at the Wanaka Medical Center.

This is a rugged mountain property and is not suited to mobility-impaired guests. If unsure please inquire and we can discuss further.