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Operated by real Westerners.
Swap the big desk in the city for a coffee pot in the Country. Your briefcase or handbag for some gun leather. Dust off your cowboy hat and pull on your Jeans and old boots, come on ‘Way out West’ to the country.
A Real Western Holiday
Secluded western hideaway and retreat
We're located in the Ruatiti Valley one hour from Ohakune. Pleasant summer temperatures and fresh Central Plateau evenings enhance this secluded getaway that captures the spirit of the West. Encounter bird life and wildlife as well as views of the majestic volcanoes. If you nature walk or tramp follow our trails or walk the Mangaparua Old Settler Road and the Bridge to Nowhere. Come and enjoy freedom, adventure and the finest of western comforts at this secluded wilderness hideaway, hidden deep in the Badlands.
What to Expect
A real Old West Experience in a real Old West Town.
No cell phones and video games here there is just too much else to do.
Wake up in the wild, tuck into a cowboy cookhouse breakfast, rest and relax or mosey on down to the Billiard Saloon. Take a short hike down to the river, check out the Blue Ducks. Take a hot soak in the old west style twin bathhouse or soak up the sights and sounds of the 1000 acres of tracks and trails. See red and fallow deer right in or around the town in the early morning light. Or, sleep in till all hours in our mile deep luxury feather beds. Sing your favourite cowboy songs around the campfire, shoot a few cans with a pistol or clay targets with a shotgun and if you have never shot a gun in your life before, don’t worry we will give you expert tuition.
Relax in the comfort of the ‘ladies’ parlour in the hotel, check out the town library full of western experiences and legends. Watch High Noon, or Shane or any one of the 100 of the best cowboy movies ever made. Explore the Town’s authentically recreated western building styles and architecture, in fact we will give you a personal tour of the town when you arrive. There is just so much to do. Go shopping in our General Store, buy a six gun, a top quality cowboy hat, belts and buckles, also ladies boots at the best price ever. You may want to order a town horse experience. Our wrangler will bring two of the best natured horses into town dressed in full western regalia for photo ops, short rides or longer treks. Or, you can bring your own horse. We have a corral, stables and paddocks. We’ll provide the guide, at a cost of course.
For those who want to soak up a little back country living – you can go tramping through some of New Zealand’s finest back hill country. Our Ranger patrol vehicles can take you up and you can tramp back on trails from 10 minutes to 4 hours. Keep a look out for deer and jackalopes. At day’s end you will enjoy a cowboy cuisine dinner, relive the days experiences around the Saloon bar or the campfire or with a game of Texas Hold’em. More movies on the big screen or the days All Blacks footy match if you need to. On Saturday night we dress for dinner. Try on a few of our western lady or saloon girl costumes or mens ‘dude’ shirts from our costume cupboard and be somebody you usually aren’t but always wanted to be. Then drink a whisky cowboy style ‘slidin down the bar ‘. Then after singing the herd to sleep hit the mile high beds your day is over, the night is up to you.
Small and selective
We are small and selective and plan to stay that way. We give you individual attention and a personalised Old West experience. You won't be lost in a crowd, but you will be part of our western family. Arriving as a guest and leaving as a friend whether for a one two or three day stay.
Star in your own show
As a child you dreamed it, as an adult you can live it. The Old West Town & Mellonsfolly Ranch invites you to take on an 'identity' for your stay. For Western movie buffs this is your opportunity to "star" in your own show. Imagine walking down Main Street for that ‘High Noon’ shootout. Rob the bank, or have a real western shootout with some other ornery cowpoke, all before lunch. This is where you are never too old.
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