|
|
|||
|
Restaurant, Museum, Shop, Garden walk and History talk. The Restaurant
For more information on catering go to www.countryfeasts.co.nz/ The Museum
The Shop
There are gifts to take home with you. A postal service is available. Chris can be contacted at: fechney@scorch.co.nz
See the map of Homebush gardens
An integral part of the visit is a talk by our local historian about Homebush and the romantic story of the Deans’ family which includes the settlement of the Canterbury Plains.
Sheep shearing and a working farm dog display are available if required. |
|||
The Swingletree Cafe has great character with high beams and polished kauri floor and brick walls and antique tables and chairs. The caterers, “
The museum is housed in different areas of the beautiful brick stables building. There is plenty to interest everyone since the displays cover the full spectrum of country life from early horsedrawn machinery, early petrol-driven engines, light industrial, military, sporting and domestic artifacts. Of special interest is the 4 tonne Ruston motor which was used in the coalmine in the hills and the 1905 Originals All Blacks memorabilia of Bob Deans who lived and worked at Homebush. 
The Homebush Workshop is located in the old farm workshop. Chris, who runs the shop, brings in top quality knitwear, sheepskins, crafts and souvinirs. She also knits many of the jerseys herself using the antique method. Of special interest are garments made in the new wool fibre called Possum Merino which is extremely light and warm.
The garden has been developed by the Deans family since 1850. It is a heritage garden full of magnificent specimen trees planted from the early 1850’s with rhododendrons planted underneath. It is about 8 acres in area with sweeping lawns and featuring a circular orchard planted with old roses, an orchard of old fruit trees and a cathedral of trees.