 "A northernmost New Zealand indulgence."
Set on the dramatic Karikari Peninsula in New Zealand’s Northland region, Carrington Resort is the custodian of both a precious eco-system and a sublime landscape — a fitting setting indeed for a perfectly indulgent escape.
Carrington is an all-encompassing experience. Naturally, fine dining takes centre stage, drawing on the Estate’s abundant produce, including Angus beef, herbs and vegetables. Fresh local seafood and wine from the renowned Karikari Estate are also daily highlights. The resort offers over four kilometres of secluded beach, not to mention a tournament quality 18-hole course that is sure to inspire even the most stubborn handicap. Guests can also choose massage, country walks, the thrill of fishing or scuba diving, the challenge of skeet or trap shooting, or peaceful pursuits such as petanque – the idea is to be as active or relaxed as you wish.
Carrington Resort’s accommodation ranges from Lodge Rooms for one or two guests to two-storey Villas for families or small groups. Each luxurious Lodge Room opens to a wide verandah with panoramic views of vineyards, ocean vistas and towering mountains. The Villas offer three bedrooms and are suitable for up to five people, with a fireplace and fully equipped kitchen, plus views of the golf course and sweeping Karikari Beach. In all, Carrington Resort promises soul-renewing indulgence against the backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty.
"The finest local produce."
Carrington's menus, created daily by Michelin Star trained chef Mark Oliver, highlight seasonal flavours and produce and focus primarily on food grown on the surrounding Carrington Farms Estate, including Black Angus beef, native eel, honey, vegetables and fresh herbs. Fine local produce is also important – such as scallops from the beds of Karikari Beach, oysters from Rangaunu Harbour, fresh fish from Manganoui, mussels from Houhora Harbor, cheese from Mahoe and Pukepoto, and fresh Hokianga saffron.
The menu might include delicious offerings such as pumpkin, miso and blue cheese soup; salt and pepper Carrington Black Angus eye fillet, accompanied by agria mashed potato, roast beetroot, field mushrooms, creamy spinach and Karikari Syrah jus; olive & rosemary lamb rack; honey soy seared tuna; and, for dessert, Bosc pear tart or strawberry and rhubarb crumble with home-made ice-cream and cinnamon Anglaise.
Meals are accompanied by the fine wines of Karikari Estate, one of the Northland’s most acclaimed wineries. The Dining Room is open to house guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and gourmet hampers, complete with a bottle of Karikari Estate wine, are available for secluded private picnics.
Home grown foods and wines
Its menus, created daily, focus firstly on food grown on Carrington Farms (Black Angus beef, native eel, honey, vegetables and fresh herbs) and then showcase the abundance of fine produce available in the local district. Scallops form the beds of Karikari Beach, oysters from Rangaunu Harbor, mussels from Houhora, cheese from Mahoe and Pukepoto, fresh fish from Mangonui, fresh Saffron from the Hokianga and many other gourmet ingredients from other small producers.
Carrington boasts that their ingredients are amongst the highest quality available in New Zealand and they are extremely proud to be able to showcase the best of Northland to guests. To complement all of this wonderful produce, there is the latest vintages from Carrington’s adjoining and award winning Karikari Vineyard and Winery. Karikari Estate’s 2004 Merlot Malbec Cabernet won Gold at both the Braggatto and Air New Zealand Wine Awards. The 2004 Pinotage won both Gold and winner in its class at Braggatto.
Carrington's Dining Room is open to house guests for breakfast and dinner each day. The chef's craft new dinner menus daily, highlighting the current seasons flavors.
General Activities
Carrington Lodge is set on the Karikari Peninsula, near the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, fronting Doubtless Bay on its southern side and the Pacific Ocean to the north. The Lodge is part of the Carrington Farms Estate, a 3000-acre ecologically planned property of secluded virgin beaches, and restored natural wetlands that features its own hillside vineyard and a black Angus stud farm.
The excellent facilities here include a tournament-quality 18-hole golf course, a skeet and trap (clay targets) shooting range, tennis courts, heated swimming pool and a spa looking out over the Pacific Ocean. Or choose from swimming off the superb white sandy beaches, such as Maitai Bay, Rangiputa, Cable Bay and Tokerau; scuba diving in breathtaking dive spots; birdwatching in the wetlands; or mountain biking, walking and fishing. These waters offer some of New Zealand's best game and deep-sea fishing for marlin, snapper, kingfish and tuna.
The peninsula is also within easy driving distance of beautiful Ninety-Mile Beach (45 minutes), Cape Reinga at the tip of New Zealand (90 minutes), and Waitangi (80 minutes), home of the famous Waitangi Treaty Grounds – one of New Zealand’s most historic places.
Activities include:
* Birdwatching
* Boat trips and cruises
* Bushwalking
* Canoeing
* Fishing (game, deep-sea, beach, surf and land-based)
* Four-wheel drive excursions
* Golf
* Horseriding
* Massage and beauty therapy
* Mountain biking
* Petanque
* Sailing
* Scenic fixed wing or helicopter flights
* Scuba diving
* Skeet and trap shooting
* Swimming
* Tennis
* Wine tasting
Natural attractions include:
* Beaches
* Birdlife
* Cape Reinga
* Dolphins
* Kauri forest
* Maitai Bay, one of New Zealand’s most idyllic beaches
* Ninety-Mile Beach
* Wetlands
‘Man-made’ attractions include:
* Karikari Estate Vineyard and Winery
* Kauri Cliffs Golf Club
* Maori culture
* Waitangi
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(5 stars)