Our other choice for a night at a historic hotel, would have been Tolaga Bay Inn, so we compromised with morning coffee there. It's a real surprise to find a Victorian looking hotel in such a remote part of New Zealand. The Gothic script inscription of "In what far country does tomorrow lie" over the massive fireplace, was most appealing.
Matawai Hotel is fascinating, in that it appears to be in the middle nowhere. It started life in Motu, which is even more remote, and one third of it was moved here in the 1930's. We planned to stop for lunch on the way home, but sadly found it closed at that time of day. Fortunately the dairy was open and the hotel outdoor seating was a great place to escape the hot sun and eat our ice-creams.
Visit date: 11 December 2013
