Charming & Authentic Lifestyle Opportunity on the Otago Central Rail Trail

Are you ready to own a special piece of Central Otago history? Here is your opportunity to own the historical Wedderburn Tavern, a charming, romantic country pub that is situated on the Otago Central Rail Trail, which is very popular with Kiwis and their families. The Tavern sits on approximately 10 acres of land (4.0469 hectares), and features charming woodwork throughout, as well as gorgeous outdoor garden areas which spring to life in the warm summer months – when on the cycle trail, it is a favourite spot to stop. The community are warm and welcoming and just waiting for new owners to take their place, here in the heart of the Maniototo.

FEATURES

• Superb and strategic location on the world famous Otago Central Rail Trail
• Well-established bar, restaurant and accommodation business
• Authentic ‘olde world’ charm throughout
• Large land holding on offer
• Stunning rural and mountain views
• Several accommodation options for guests
• Large four-bedroom owners residence
• Plus potential for development!

Wedderburn is set at the base of the Hawkdun and Mt Ida Ranges, in Central Otago, situated on SH85, just 10 minutes from Ranfurly, and 50 minutes from Alexandra. The township is the convenient and popular halfway stop on the highest point of the Otago Central Rail Trail.

TAVERN

Built in 1885, the historic Wedderburn Tavern was once the preferred stop-over for coaches and wagons and is now the favourite destination for Rail Trail cyclists. Located close to the summit, and at the halfway point of the Rail Trail, Wedderburn is the perfect stop to explore and experience the uniqueness of Central Otago.

The Tavern now enjoys strong patronage, primarily from locals and guests of the Wedderburn Cottages, located directly opposite. The restaurant can cater for up to 50 diners, and is a very popular venue for special functions, ranging from birthdays to anniversaries, and even duck-shooting groups and hunting clubs! Not to mention visiting car clubs too.

ACCOMMODATION COMPLEX

The guest accommodation is made up of:

• The 140-year old mud-brick musterers’ quarters, which features one queen double-bed, and one single-bed
• The original mud-brick Wedderburn Tavern dairy, which features one king double-bed, or two singles-beds
• The Wedderburn Tavern, features three bedrooms

Currently the visitor accommodation offers shared bathroom facilities for guests, as well as a lovely lounge/family room, featuring a great fire place, along with TV and assorted games.

OWNER RESIDENCE

The owners residence is a lovely four bedroom home, which had significant renovations completed in 2011. It is also a mudbrick home, and features two living areas as well as two bathrooms.

OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL

The Otago Central Rail Trail is NZ’s Original Great Ride, and extends 150 kilometres along the former railway route between Middlemarch and Clyde. Its wide gravel path has a gentle 1 to 50 gradient, making it ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This is a journey into the region’s heartland of ever-changing mountainous, dry, rocky landscapes, productive farmland, spectacular river gorges, tunnels, viaducts, thriving townships, old stone and mud-brick dwellings and preserved gold mining settlements – shaped and seasoned by the harsh, continental climatic extremes unique to Central Otago. The Rail Trail connects four Central Otago plains and valleys: the Strath Taieri with the township of Middlemarch, the Maniototo with Ranfurly at the centre, Ida Valley with Oturehua and the Manuherikia area with Alexandra and Clyde.

POTENTIAL

There are many beautiful features here at the Tavern, and with that, great opportunities for a new and motivated owner to develop this business further by leveraging against the highly-popular Rail-Trail traffic. You could look to enhance the restaurant, or even construct additional accommodation facilities, subject to local council consents.

This is a wonderful opportunity to secure a really well-priced, iconic Central Otago business that operates within an affluent captive market. The current owners have been here happily for 8+ years, but now wish to move on to another chapter in their lives.

Purchasers who are looking for a lifestyle change and a great freehold going concern opportunity, offering a home & income in Central Otago, must inspect this quickly!

For full information and to arrange your viewing please contact specialist Accommodation Business Broker, Adrian Chisholm, AREINZ, on 021 727 888 or email Adrian@tourismproperties.com.