Out in the Styx
Slow-Cooked Food at Cafe and Guest House in Pukeatua, New Zealand
Slow-cooked food in a charming country setting makes the Out in the Styx Cafe the ideal place to get to know the real rural New Zealand.
When it comes to the Out in the Styx Cafe and Guesthouse in Pukeatua, New Zealand, the name says it all. This charming little secret is in rural Waikato, with Maungatautari Mountain right in its back yard and little else for kilometres.
Whether you’re planning a destination wedding, a work retreat, a family reunion or just a quiet weekend away, Out in the Styx is the sort of place you have to experience to believe. Smoke free and peaceful, this place only sounds expensive.
If you happen to be in the neighborhood, you can also join them for a meal at one of their theme nights. Recent themes have included Asian, South American, French, Russian, “Putting on the Ritz” and “Aussie Outback” night.
Be sure to make a reservation – Out in the Styx does not take drop-ins. Call Lance and Mary at 07 872 4505 or 0800 461 559, or visit www.styx.co.nz.
Their country hospitality will make you feel welcome, and the personal attention can not be beat.
Accommodations
Out in the Styx recently expanded, allowing for up to 12 people in ensuites and 15 in the bunk-rooms. The cozy atmosphere of the cafe spills over into the rooms, which are simply and elegantly furnished with all of the comforts one could ask for.
Big, comfy beds are piled high with soft duvets and pillows the perfects place to curl up for some effortless z’s. Sliding glass doors give a view of the mountain with the light of dawn, leaving you feeling like the only person on the planet.
Then there’s the shower. Once you find it, you won’t want to leave. Ever. An amazing rainfall showerhead and an open floor plan bathroom make it the perfect place to wash away any cares you may have left. The only thing capable of tearing you away will be the thought of Mary’s cooking waiting for you down the path.
Amazing food
Mary’s slow-cooked menu is decided by “whim,” leaving you to simply enjoy, rather than agonizing over options.
Eating at Out in the Styx is much like being a guest at an elaborate family meal, with gourmet menu choices ranging from the simple to the extravagant, each tastier than the next. Sample menus are available on their Web site.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the homey cafe, with meals included in the price of your stay. Solid wood furniture and a warm fire lend to the atmosphere, which easily pulls off casual and elegant in the same day.
Activities
While you’re there, Lance will be happy to transport you to the other side of the mountain for a hiking adventure you won’t soon forget. It’s a six-hour trundle through the native paradise of the Maungatautari Ecological Trust, but there are warm showers at the other end, along with a hot tub and a home-cooked meal.
Here is a fun story about some ladies taking the trek over the mountain.
If the hike isn’t quite for you, there are also kayaks to lend, plenty of paperback books lying around, and Mary’s unique cooking lessons. There are 16 golf courses within a 30-minute drive.
Or simply wander into the beautiful courtyard or garden with a glass of wine and take in the splendor of protected nature, a refreshing experience in itself.
How to get there
It isn’t close-by, but it is well worth the drive. Pukeatua is about hour southeast from Hamilton, on the road between Kihikihi and Putaruru. Check this map to find your way.
