Take a breather from a busy life…

Blackburn Ridge: A Hawke's Bay Retreat Like No Other

There's a moment, standing on a hilltop in Central Hawke's Bay, when the view simply stops you in your tracks. Even after years of farming this land, Clem and Mickey still pinch themselves when they reach the top. It's a feeling they wanted to share — and that's exactly how Blackburn Ridge came to be.

Forget what you think you know about Hawke's Bay. Yes, there's the wine, the sun-soaked plains. But head inland to Central Hawke's Bay and you'll find a different kind of beauty: the rugged silhouette of the Ruahine Ranges rising behind 1,300 hectares of working sheep and beef farmland, tended by a family who knows every fold of these hills.

Blackburn Ridge is their invitation to experience it for yourself — and exclusively, as your group has full use of the beautifully restored homestead for the duration of your stay.

Two Days, Your Way

Spend your first day exploring on foot, with walking tracks to suit every ability. Wander beneath ancient redwood trees, their massive trunks transforming the landscape into something otherworldly. On day two, swap boots for wheels and set off on the resident e-bike fleet, venturing further into the quiet country roads that wind through the surrounding valleys.

Evenings Made for Unwinding

As the sun dips behind the Ruahine’s, sink into the outdoor wood-fired hot tub under a blanket of stars. Then gather with your group for a shared evening meal, prepared by local chef Kate de Lautour using the finest local produce — restaurant-quality cuisine, served in the warmth of a heritage homestead that perfectly blends old-world charm with modern comfort.

Blackburn Ridge isn't just a place to stay. It's a chance to slow down, reconnect, and experience a side of Hawke's Bay that few ever see.