Peter worked as a photographer in Queenstown prior to returning to the family farm to start Peter's Farm Lodge in two of the original homesteads dating back to 1882. Peter's dad, Dickson, purchased Riverslea Farm in 1953 which still had the original homestead on it which now operates as Tregonning Cottage. In 1960 the neighbor's farm came up for sale which also had a historic homestead. This property was purchased to extend the family farm. Now with these two historical homesteads lying empty on the property Peter felt he was ready to take on the challenging operation of turning these empty homesteads into comfortable, welcoming accommodations.