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The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect

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A spacious kitchen with a central island, a dining area with a wooden table and chairs, and a large sliding glass door leading to a backyard.
A patio with a table and chairs, a red umbrella, and a sliding glass door leading to a backyard.
A house with a fenced yard, a covered patio, and a large tree in front.
A cozy living room with a fireplace, wooden walls, a red chair, and a patterned rug.
A neatly made bed with striped bedding and two pillows, a small wooden side table with a tray, and a plain wall.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Room to spread out
    Enjoy spacious layout that give everyone more room to relax.
  • Walkable and wonderful
    Guests love the walkable location for its easy access on foot.
5 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Arcade/game room

Explore the area

View in a map
Ferniehurst, Canterbury
  • Place, Cheviot Library
    ‪39 min drive‬
  • Place, Cheviot Museum
    ‪39 min drive‬
  • Place, Kaikoura Golf Club
    ‪58 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Twin Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Twin Bed

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect

Disconnect to Reconnect. located 30 minutes north of Cheviot township, we are nestled in a rural farming setting. Our House has five lovely bedrooms, large open plan living, dining, kitchen, bath and shower. With a large outdoors room. Positioned beside a river you can wake to the birds chirping and total silence. Take a walk in the riverbed, relax read a book. Go fishing, eeling. We are located 1 hr from kaikoura and 1hr 25 mins to Hanmer Springs so great to base yourself for daytrips.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 9237249ha
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

Ferniehurst

Located in Ferniehurst, this vacation home is in a rural area and on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Mount Stewart and Mount Peter, while Cheviot Museum and Two Rivers Gallery are cultural highlights. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking, rafting, and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hunting.
View more Vacation Homes in FerniehurstOpens in a new window
Map
Ferniehurst, Canterbury

What's nearby

  • Cheviot Library - 39 min drive - 40.3 km
  • Cheviot Museum - 39 min drive - 40.7 km
  • Two Rivers Gallery - 39 min drive - 40.7 km
  • Knox Presbyterian Church - 40 min drive - 41.1 km
  • Kaikoura Golf Club - 58 min drive - 65.0 km

Frequently asked questions

Is The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect?

As of Aug 15, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect on Nov 20, 2026 start from $217, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The River House- Disconnect to Reconnect located?

Situated on a river, this vacation home is within 25 mi (40 km) of Cheviot Library, Cheviot Museum, and Two Rivers Gallery. Knox Presbyterian Church is 21.9 mi (35.2 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

david r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay with really hospitable hosts
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Eric H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pip and Hamish are great hosts thats all you need to know
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sally d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hosts were very friendly and welcoming. Great place to relax and play at the creek. The kayaks and inflatable tube were terrific fun. Beds were very comfortable, kitchen was well equipped, shower was lovely. All round it is a lovely house to stay in, and would highly recommend it to families who need a reset from the digital world. Road in was good although would have been a bit more comfortable in a high clearance vehicle.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Frank O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

Very enjoyable, beautiful property and place. Well managed and nice touches throughout
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Larissa R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

It's just Amazing

It's amazing my 3 kids loved it little river in the back yard lots of animals in the back yard to veiw was breathtaking was just perfect
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cathy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Recharging

Wonderful location and outlook. Unique. So peaceful. River just along the path. House spacious and comfortable. Hosts very generous and considerate. Would recommend this experience highly.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Louisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Slice of paradise

Just the most wonderful experience. 6 adults and three grandchildren..something for all…welcoming reception…beautiful homemade afghans and real plunger coffee and marshmallows as a welcome on bench when we arrived. Well away from internet access was just superb! The activities available from outdoor games to inside games..can’t rate this stay highly enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tod O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tod's stay with friends

Lovely, comfortable house with well equipped kitchen. Really appreciated the little touches - a warm house and a burning fire when we arrived, home-baked treats, a well situated property by the river, and welcome visits from the owner's house pets. We have never been treated better at any other holiday stay - Pip really looks after you. Only drawback is the place is miles from anywhere, but I'd strongly recommend it if you're looking for a rural experience.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 7, 2022
Thankyou Tod - We really enjoyed having you to stay as well. The house was immaculate on your departure. We are thrilled you enjoyed your stay - the travel component I always like to say just like an "Auckland Commute" without the pollution, noise and hustle, just nature and a few farm animals to navigate. We look forward to your return someday. Regards Pip, Hamish, Isabel and Molly
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Chris P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and homely

We felt immediately at home. The house was beautiful and surrounds were full of birdsong and the peaceful creek running behind the house. There were lots of homely touches, like freshly baked cookies, stacked fire place, marshellows for the fire and fresh coffee beans. We were welcomed by Pip, and Hamish visited too during our stay. They made sure we had eveything we needed. I would definitely recommend this house and would love to stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Chris R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Amazing six night@

We loved Ngaroma! Pip , Hamish and the girls were so welcoming- Nothing was a problem- we loved our time there. Lots of time playing in the river , dam building etc- B loved playing with your girls and feeding the chooks and collecting the eggs. The house is perfect for extended family. We enjoyed the wide ooen spaces , the amazing stars at night, dawn chorus in the morning and the chsnce to decompress and get away from it all! Thank you. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kat P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic family holiday

We absolutely loved our stay at Ngaroma, such a great house and incredible location. Our hosts Pip, Hamish, Isabel and Molly went out of their way to make us feel at home and we enjoyed chatting to them about life on their farm and learning about the area when they stopped by, our 4 yr old was also delighted to be invited on an adventure with his dad and Hamish on the four wheeler which he loved! The house was well equipped with a great setup, everything you need, there is also plenty to do if the weather packs in as loads of games etc but we enjoyed heading out for abit even in the rain (which was only lasted one day) The main part of house is well fenced with a great lawn too so if you have roaming adventurous little ones you can relax abit. We loved having the river so close and went on many adventures hunting for interesting rocks and fossils, and enjoyed picking plums along the rivers edge and swimming in the swimming hole. Such a magical place, especially for young kids, we will be back many times I’m sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kylie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous stay

Our stay was absolute bliss. Pip was very clear before we arrived what we could expect with no wifi or reception. I thought we might struggled with this but we didn’t at all, and it was a nice experience not thinking of checking our phones. The river was perfect for us, it was not cold or deep which made it perfect for our children. The house itself is kept very clean and tidy, and the refurbishments make it very comfortable. We had a wonderful arrival where Pip had made us yummy afghans, left some eggs and some fresh coffee for the plunger. We got to collect the eggs from the hens, feed them and feed the friendly sheep. We walked up the hill to see a wonderful view where the house is. These were all fulfilling activities that we enjoyed together as a family. Time truely well spent. We also enjoyed playing the many outdoor and indoor games provided. Hamish and Pip were both so welcoming and shared some interesting stories and knowledge. We would recommend the river house stay for anyone looking to get away from the busyness of life.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unforgettable experience and priceless memories

We stayed for 5 nights at The River House. Disconnect to reconnect is Pip's moto and it certainly delivers. With no Wi-Fi or reception it gave us an opportunity to sample rural life at it's best (download anything you may want prior to your trip). The reviews nor photo's do justice for the memorable experience we were given. Pip and her family welcomed us with delicious homemade afghans, freshly laid chook eggs (you can collect these daily from the chook shed) and feeding time with the baby lambs and calves. We celebrated the birthday of our three year old and what a treat he got! If you are invited to join in with the farm life, take the hosts up on the offer as you may not find an opportunity such as this again. I often find reviews are not informative enough so here goes. The location is remote and as described take everything you need food wise with you to the house if you do not wish to travel back and forth on the gravel track. Soak up the vast views around you and the wildlife. The smell of the bush in the evening and the listen to bird song at sunrise. The stars are just incredible on a clear night (an astronomers delight) and you may even get to see the swirl of dust galaxies and the milky way - try to spot the kiwi! The kitchen is fully equipped with dish wash liquid, dishwasher tablets and hand soap. The oven cooks quickly (watch out for the bouncy door, it closes shut quickly). The laundry is equipped with powder (we were a family of 6 who stayed for 5 nights and visited the Hanmer Spring pools so did use the machine). The shower is hot and powerful and the beds are very warm and comfy! We had some cold nights so got to use both fires and what a treat these were. We kept the main fire burning throughout the night which kept the house warm and was cozy to wake up to. We walked the river, collected cones for the fire and did an 8k walk round the land, we chilled out, read books, played outdoor games (lots supplied), ate lots and drank wine. Did we want to leave? No. Will we be back? I hope so! An unforgettable experience. Thanks once again Pip.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

fran c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot

This was a great house, set in an amazing isolated location, will definitely be back!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Charlie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Ferniehurst

Great location with very welcoming host. Afghan biscuits were a very homely touch.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Johnny M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend at Ngaroma

Absolutely loved it! Lovely homestead and setting. Best bit was the hosts and their children, incredibly generous with their time and little gifts for our stay such as eggs and biscuits. Thank you so much. Johnny and Div
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Bailey P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Parkridge Family Trip

Thank you so much for having us. We had an amazing time staying at The River House. You went over and above coming down to check in with us and you gave our children some really awesome memories! Brayden absolutely loved the rides on the tractor and ATV and we all fell in love with little Ruddie the baby deer ❤ The River House is such a fantastic property, lovely bedrooms, great water pressure in the shower and a real homely feel. My only suggestion is perhaps look at investing in some insect netting on that big kitchen window. We got pretty warm in there one night but because I'm terrified of moths couldn't leave it open for too long at night 🤣🤣🤣 We really hope we can make it back sometime in the future! Thanks again for sharing your place with us xx All the best! Bailey & Family xxx
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Helen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little piece of paradise

We spent a long weekend here with a few families and some young kids, and we all had a truly wonderful time. Some highlights were swimming and floating on tubes in the beautiful river running right near the house, walks over the farm tracks, star gazing at night, the amazingly clean and spacious and well organized house. Most of all we appreciated the kind hospitality shown to us by Pip and Hamish and their wee girls. Our kids loved gathering the eggs from the hen house, and getting a wee tiki tour on the farm bike - our littlest one has already planned her next visit - we can't wait!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mandy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A slice if paradise.

The hospitality was outstanding, the family were so welcoming! We got to enjoy the real back country experience. River walks, swimming and going around the farm what a way to spend our 3 days wish it was longer! Thank you again.
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 5, 2021
We loved hosting Mandy and her family. We hope they have made life long memories at The River House. Mandy was an exceptional guest. We would welcome them back anytime.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

felesha m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

awesome place to disconnect and relax

Stunning location, well appointed home with 3 separate living areas, great space for large families. There is no cellphone reception in the valley, which makes it a wonderful place to just totally disconnect, relax and unwind. The river is great for swimming and walking, and there are cycle tracks and great spaces to walk on the farm. The owners Pip and Hamish, are fanstastic hosts,. They popped in to see us when we arrived, to make sur we had all we needed and to let us know that they were just up the hill and if we needed anything to just pop up and see them. Pip checked on us halfway through our stay to make sure we had enough TP etc and they came to say goodbye when we left. We loved our stay at their place and will definitely be returning for another stay. Thank you so much for everything Pip and Hamish.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

About the host

Hosted by Pip Jamieson

Host profile image
Hamish and I bought Ngaroma Farm in 2012, we run a 1170 hectare sheep and beef farm. After the Kaikoura earthquake and a hard drought for a few years prior. We diversified our farming practice, to include tourism here at The River House.

Why they chose this property

The ability to Disconnect ...... your phone, your work, any pressure. Nothing will find you here.. Reconnect ....with family, kids, your inner peace. Listen to total silence. Walk in our beautiful backyard of native bush, manuka & beech riverside. It is spectacular.

What makes this property unique

Disconnect and Reconnect......
Everyone says the silence is amazing, feel like we are not going to be interrupted, the house is comfy and clean and warm. Plenty of walking and quietness all round.

Languages:

English
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