How Ribbonwood Retreat came in to being...
For almost eight years, Jo & Julie lived by Lake Mahinapua in Ruatapu (near Hokitika). Jo worked as a possum hunter and Julie was a school teacher. In 2000 Jo & Julie decided it was time for a change - the mountains were calling. As keen hikers, bird lovers and outdoor enthusiasts the small town of epic glacial proportions – Franz Josef Glacier – sure did catch their eye. Jo secured a job at the Department of Conservation as the manager of “Save the Kiwi" (bird that is) and together they made the journey southward with a vision of settling there. After two years they purchased two bare paddocks of land, marking the beginning of Ribbonwood Retreat. The initial vision was to build their dream house with plenty of land to grow their own food and plant lots of native trees.
One day, Julie & Jo received a call from local moteliers. They were on a mission to help some travellers who could not find a place to stay as all of the beds in town were sold out. Of course, they welcomed the visitors with open arms. It was at this point that Julie & Jo truly realised their passion for hosting and sharing their haven with others. A very organic moment turned out to be incredibly pivotal and from that point, the property slowly but surely turned into a hosted bed and breakfast experience. In 2005, the cottage was built to expand the offerings at Ribbonwood Retreat and to offer a secluded and exclusive, boutique accommodation experience.
Jo & Julie are passionate about sharing not only their property and gorgeous accommodation offerings with travellers, but also their way of life on the West Coast.
Julie swims every day in the lake and loves to share her secret local spots with guests. Jo is passionate about local flora, fauna and wildlife and has a wealth of knowledge to offer. The abundance of natural resources and the climate in the area mean that, together, they grow a lot of their own food on the property. This aspect of their lives is evident when guests gather around the breakfast table and feast on a delicious homemade spread. When you stay at Ribbonwood Retreat you receive more than simply an accommodation experience. To Jo and Julie, it is important that guests leave feeling inspired and rejuvenated.
From small things like the clean, chemical-free drinking water to the birdsong and calm that sweeps over you when you enter the gardens at Ribbonwood – Jo & Julie pride themselves on doing all they can to ensure guests have an incredibly memorable stay and authentic West Coast experience.
Julie swims every day in the lake and loves to share her secret local spots with guests. Jo is passionate about local flora, fauna and wildlife and has a wealth of knowledge to offer. The abundance of natural resources and the climate in the area mean that, together, they grow a lot of their own food on the property. This aspect of their lives is evident when guests gather around the breakfast table and feast on a delicious homemade spread. When you stay at Ribbonwood Retreat you receive more than simply an accommodation experience. To Jo and Julie, it is important that guests leave feeling inspired and rejuvenated.
From small things like the clean, chemical-free drinking water to the birdsong and calm that sweeps over you when you enter the gardens at Ribbonwood – Jo & Julie pride themselves on doing all they can to ensure guests have an incredibly memorable stay and authentic West Coast experience.
Bare land and the first tracks as the digger begins work
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In the Beginning....Our one hectare was bare land when we first moved there, just two paddocks except for a grove of totara trees. Jonathan has a green thumb and a passion for gardening. He had a dream to create a space with trees, planting native species as well as exotic trees for nuts and firewood. We have planted more than 200 trees and shrubs leaving some open spaces to see through to the mountains and the kiwi sanctuary. Many birds now frequent the garden, especially tui, fantails, pukeko, tomtits, grey warblers and kereru as well as some common introduced garden birds. |
Our Love for Glacier CountryWe moved here twenty two years ago following Jo's promotion within the Department of Conservation as manager for the save the kiwi program in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
We chose the name “Ribbonwood” due to the large Ribbonwood tree beside the state highway in front of our home. Once common, these trees are palatable to possums as well as livestock and are now in decline. We planted Ribbonwoods and many other species to attract native birds back into our garden, much to the delight of the local Kereru, which feed on the leaves in early spring. |
Kereru feasting in our garden
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Jo enjoying a paddle on Lake Mapourika with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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JonathanJonathan studied botany at University. He came to Westland in the 80's to work for the Forest Service and never left. Reliving his days as a possum hunter in the backcountry on the Coast, he will regale you with stories galore from 'going bush' for months at a time. In 2000. he was appointed manager of the local Kiwi Recovery Programme, working for the Department of Conservation here in Franz Josef. Jo has extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna in our area and loved to share his knowledge and stories. |
JulieJulie's career highlight was gaining a Royal Society Science Award which enabled her to work with the Kiwi programme on Rowi.
Living overseas, she taught children in Jordan, Egypt and Italy. Julie was a teacher at the local school, fostering an appreciation for caring for our environment and won a West Coast Community Award for her environmental work with children. |
One of Julie's favourite walks in Okarito Photo credit: Katrina Henderson Photography
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