Several businesses in a small Central Otago township, all offered for sale at the same time, present a range of appealing opportunities.
In the Ida Valley, situated among the mountain ranges, tussock lands and big skies of Maniototo, historic Oturehua is located 25 kilometres northwest of Ranfurly, approximately halfway along the popular tourist cycle route the Otago Central Rail Trail. Up for sale in the town are three homes, two bed-and-breakfasts, an accommodation park, an historic pub and the country’s oldest continuously operating general store.
Oturehua local institution Gilchrist’s Store was built in 1899. Also dating from the 1890s, the Oturehua Railway Hotel is a country style pub that serves as the district’s ‘front room.’ More recently on the scene, Crow’s Nest Accommodation makes the most of its proximity to the Rail Trail, offering weary cyclists some welcome respite.
With retirement beckoning, the owners of each have decided to sell, bringing in Shane Turfus and Sally Taylor of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Alexandra to present the businesses to the market. Shane reckons they each provide an ideal introduction to the unique character of the Maniototo.
“Any of these businesses is an enticing prospect for a young family seeking the attractions of an authentic, friendly and active community among the country’s most striking landscapes. Equally, they could also fulfil the dreams of a more mature couple looking for an adventure and a change of pace for a few years before retirement,” he says.
While the store building and memorabilia are owned by a community trust, Gilchrist’s includes a well maintained three-bedroom family home; two NZ Post rural delivery runs; and a two-bedroom B&B accommodation business based in the property’s original cottage.
Service to the local community underpins Gilchrist’s, both for the store itself and the rural delivery contracts, while bed and breakfasting Rail Trail cyclists make spring through to Anzac Weekend a busy time for owners John and Helen Hellier.
“We have enjoyed being responsible for such a mainstay of the community, a business that so many rely on. We’ll miss the people coming through the door, whether that be locals or tourists,” says John, who with Helen came off the farm in 2014 to take over at Gilchrist’s, and who co-authored a 2023 book tracing the history of the store.
Gilchrist’s is available at $885,000, plus GST. Stock and plant are available at valuation.
Oturehua Railway Hotel comprises a large bar, dining area and cosy lounge with wood burner; a well-equipped commercial kitchen including a large walk-in chiller and freezer plus a beautifully restored double oven coal range; and a comfortable three-bedroom residence.
After previously owning a logistics business, Grahame and Liz Jones took over the hotel in 2008.
“We came for five years and are now in our 17th. We just kept on enjoying it,” says Grahame, who noted the positive change the Rail Trail has brought to the town, more than doubling the permanent population while they’ve been there. Additional cycling trails coming on stream are set to consolidate Central Otago’s reputation as ‘a summer playground and a winter wonderland’ he reckons.
He and Liz are most proud of the improvements they’ve made to the home and the business, particularly a beer garden, playground and pétanque court, plus the hot home-cooked meals, including a famed steak and Guinness pie, that they have added to the hotel’s offering.
Grahame and Liz are asking for offers over $599,000, plus GST for Oturehua Railway Hotel.
Based around a 1926 mudbrick character house, Crow’s Nest offers several different levels of accommodation capable of hosting up to 25 guests at a time, ranging from a bunkroom and tent sites, to caravan and motor home parking, cabins and self-contained units.
After a career in farming, engineering and owning a Tauranga agricultural machinery business, Bill May took on Crow’s Nest in 2017.
“I was a regular visitor to Ida Valley from the age of five, so was happy to take over this business, which is cute and quirky, appealing to plenty of different people,” says Bill, who intends to stay local, has purchased a property across the road, and has loved meeting so many different people while running the business.
Bill is open to offers for Crow’s Nest.
Shane says the ambience of Oturehua is difficult to beat.
“History, amazing country, a wonderful community spirit, and an unlimited scope to go in any direction with these businesses. All are well placed based on the support they have from locals, and the economic growth that the Rail Trail and associated tourism provides. For the right owner, or owners, each of them is a delightful opportunity,” he says.
As well as its association with the Rail Trail, Oturehua is the home of the Bonspiel, New Zealand’s premier curling event, which dates back to 1879.
