Est. 1874 · Becks District Prospect Farm Vol. CL — Season 26

Prospect
Farm

A — Place

St Bathans, in the high
country of Central Otago.

B — Hosts

Chip & Paulette Duncan,
farming here twenty years.

C — Welcome

Two homes, one flower
garden, wide open sky.

Book Your Stay Tour the Cabin Scroll · 01 / 06
§ 01 — A Welcome

437 ST BATHANS LOOP RD
RD2 OMAKAU 9377
CENTRAL OTAGO, NZ

ELEVATION 480M
AREA 2,100 HA
STOCK 8,000 SU

A working sheep & beef farm with two places to stay, a hundred-year-old grainshed full of dahlias, and the kind of quiet that takes a day or two to settle into.

We're Chip and Paulette Duncan, and together with our three children, we've been farming sheep and beef for over twenty years on St Bathans Loop Road. Cold winters, hot summers, sweeping views of the surrounding ranges — this land is truly home.

Stay at Hopehill Farmhouse, a four-bedroom country home with views of the Blackstone Hills, or retreat to Prospect Cabin, our off-grid hideaway for two.

Chip and Paulette Duncan

Plate i — Chip & Paulette,
your hosts

Contents of the Farm i — vi
i. Prospect
Cabin
SLEEPS 2 · OFF-GRID
ii. Hopehill
Farmhouse
SLEEPS 9 · 4 BED
iii. The
Grainshed
FLOWERS · JAN — APR
iv. On the
Farm
SWIM · WALK · FISH
v. Nearby
Otago
RAIL TRAIL · BLUE LAKE
vi. Farm
History
EST. 1874 · 152 YRS
§ 02 — Stay

Two ways to settle in,
both with the sky to themselves.

Prospect Cabin exterior
Plate ii · Cabin facing east
i / ii Prospect Cabin

Off-grid
for two.

A shepherd's smoko hut, lifted across the farm and rebuilt on a quiet rise overlooking Mt St Bathans and the Hawkdun Range. There's not another building in sight — just sky, hills, and space to breathe.

SLEEPS
Two
POWER
Solar
HEAT
Roaring Meg
BATH
Outdoor
Tour the Cabin

ii / ii Hopehill Farmhouse

A house
for nine.

A spacious four-bedroom character house set among sweeping lawns and towering Sequoia trees, with views across rolling farmland to the Blackstone Hills. A private, peaceful base for families and gatherings.

SLEEPS
Up to nine
BEDS
Four
HEAT
Log + heat pump
WI-FI
Yes
Tour the Farmhouse
Hopehill Farmhouse exterior
Plate iii · Sequoias at Hopehill
§ 03 — Flowers

Buckets
from the
Grainshed.

"I grew cut flowers from seed for the first time for our son's wedding. The next season I doubled the growing area."

Dahlias are the main crop, alongside snapdragons, scabiosa, sweet peas, asters, sunflowers and zinnias. Sales are from our 100-year-old Grainshed during the season — by the bucket for events and DIY weddings, or by the bunch for the kitchen table.

Open Season
JFMAMJJASOND

Main season: early Jan — April. Spot blooms from Oct.

Visit the Grainshed
§ 04 — On the Farm Three small pleasures

Walk the creek, say
hello to Colin the pig.

01.

Dunstan Creek swim

A private swimming hole a few minutes' walk from the cabin. Cold, clear, willow-shaded.

02.

Flower walk

Wander Paulette's cut-flower rows beside the Grainshed and the Indian Runner ducks' pond.

03.

Colin the pig

Plus the rest of the farm hellos — sheep, cattle, dogs, runner ducks, and a small coloured flock.

§ 05 — From the
guest books

Hand-written by guests
in the cabin & farmhouse.

Transcribed verbatim.

"If you're looking for a place to refresh your soul, this is the spot."

— Ben · Prospect Cabin

"What a beautiful little oasis! A little home away from home — we'll be spreading the word about this gem."

— Bridgit & Matt · Australia

"Excellent house for our family gathering, perfect backdrop, so peaceful — reminded us of our farm at Warepa."

— Michel · Hopehill Farmhouse

"Amazing hot water, comfy beds, and a cosy homelike atmosphere. Beautiful views and fresh air."

§ 06 — A short history 1874 → 2026
'74

1874

Hinkson Mee arrives from County Monaghan and names the property Prospect.

'93

1893

The Mee family farms Prospect and neighbouring Hopehill side-by-side.

'19

1919

Hopehill is sold to the Hamilton family and the two farms separate.

'06

2006

The Duncan family arrives at Hopehill from Chatto Creek as lessees.

'15

2015

After 122 years apart, Prospect and Hopehill are reunited under shared ownership.

§ 07 — A note before you go

Come and see
what we love
in our little corner.

Paulette and Chip Duncan, your hosts.

Book a Stay Get in touch