The Little Red School House in Five Forks

Step back in time for a unique stay at The Little Red School House in Five Forks. Once the local school for all the farming families in the area, this cute retreat is a bed and breakfast situated 20 minutes inland from Oamaru.

Far enough away to feel remote but close to Oamaru for a bite to eat or a visit to the museums and activities in this Victorian-era town.

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Best for: B&B Country Retreat for Two, Farm Stay, Near the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail

The schoolhouse building dates back to 1920 with lovely original windows and historic wooden features.

Nowadays with no school work or homework (hopefully), this is a relaxing one-bedroom retreat for artists, romantics, adventurers, weekenders, and holidaymakers looking for an authentic stay on a working farm.

FYI: The deck is a sun trap for reading and dreaming. You’re also 400 metres above sea level with glorious ocean views, mountains, and farmland. See Things to Do Below…

The little red school house historic photo. Oamaru Bed and Breakfast — So long ago!

Five Forks

Five Forks is a farming area on the north side of the Kakanui River, 20 km inland from Oamaru.

Oamaru is like a film set for a 19th-century movie – think Sherlock Holmes! Grand buildings with stunning architecture line the streets of this little New Zealand country town.

Luckily no one over the years had the money to demolish these majestic buildings and so they stand as reminders of a bygone age.

Are You Interested in Farming?

The Little Schoolhouse B&B is set on a 4th generation 940-hectare working sheep and beef farm. Let the owners know in advance if you would like a tour of the farm and a chance to see farm life up close.

The Cottage

The Little Red School House in Five Forks is the perfect retreat, in the idyllic countryside, for two guests or solo travellers.

Tradition meets modern and the school house is transformed into a cute holiday home with comfortable furnishings, a kitchen, a bathroom, and everything you’ll need for your escape.

The name of the game is relaxing, reading, and enjoying the free WIFI.

For exercise take a walk along the farm’s many walking tracks – especially during sunset or sunrise. In summer take a dip in the nearby waterhole.

One Bedroom with queen-size bed and a bambillo mattress
Fold out sofa for an extra guest
A porta cot is also available
Indoor spacious bathroom with toiletries and hairdryer
Kitchen with a fridge, a microwave, dishes and utensils

Guest Review

Absolutely cosy wonderful place, worth doing the extra kms. Lovely road to get there. Didn’t expect so much comfort in a place like this (slightly remote) with all the amenities you can desire. Henry, the sheep comes for a visit, and you can feed him as well!

Free Veges — Help yourself to the vegetables in the vege patch

Good to Know at The Little Red Schoolhouse

Daily Continental Breakfast
WIFI and Flat-Screen TV with Sky
Linen is included
Washing Machine, Iron, Heater
Cleaning is included

Top Tip

Head to the supermarket and buy supplies before you head out to Five Forks.

Since you’re a bit remote from shops the schoolhouse also has a cash mini bar with chocolate, frozen pizzas, lasagnas, gourmet pies, wine, cheese, crackers, peanuts, and chips.

Activities

For enthusiastic bike riders, the farm has a series of roads and tracks popular for bike riding. If you’re completing the amazing Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail then the owners can also pick you up from the Duntroon to Oamaru part of the trail.

The Alps to Ocean cycle trail starts at Mount Cook and travels by lakes, rivers, and bush until you finish in Victorian Oamaru on the coast.

Wrapping Up

There’s plenty of history in the walls of The Little Red School House in Five Forks – now a comfortable and peaceful farmstay in the countryside.

Kick back and enjoy the solitude of this country stay or venture out to the Victorian Precinct of Oamaru and the many adventurous activities in the Waitaki region.

Book at Booking.com

Location of The Little Red Schoolhouse

Things to do in Oamaru and around Duntroon

The Kurow Estate Winery, River-T Estate Wines, and Ostler Wines are all inland from Five Forks. Their cellar doors are open for tasting Otago’s aromatic white wines, boutique wines, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Gewürztraminer.

For geology buffs, the Vanished World Fossil and Geology Centre is in Duntroon. They also have a self-guided trail map of local geological and fossil sites.

Blue Penguin Colony – the penguins arrive home in the evening so viewings begin at 5.45 pm. Your entry charge pays for conservation efforts.

Steampunk HQ Museum – fashion and design inspired by a combo of sci-fi and 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.

Oamaru’s beautiful Victorian Precinct – luckily no one had the money to pull down these beautiful buildings. So you can now admire this stunning architecture from a bygone era when Oamaru prospered.

Moeraki Boulders – strangely shaped massive round rocks on the beach are definitely in the weird category.

Whitestone City – hands-on vintage museum. Take your pic on the penny farthing!

Totara Estate – learn about New Zealand farming

The New Zealand Whisky Company – as the name says for whisky lovers! Quite expensive but the hot toddy is recommended in winter.

Grainstore Gallery – a quirky gallery full of paintings, old prints, objet d’art, truly weird and wonderful! They also put on musical events in the evenings. FYI: the gallery is upstairs.

Biking Trails in the South Island

These are amazing ‘out of the box’ adventures! How about choosing one of the adventurous bike trails found throughout the South Island?

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, the Old Ghost Road, Queenstown Trail, West Coast Wilderness Trail, and lots more – through native bush, old gold mining towns, vineyards, beaches, rivers, rail trails…See the list at TripAdvisor here.