Hospitality and livestock breeding are deeply embedded in Annandale’s history. In 1843, nearly a decade before the first immigrant settlement of Christchurch, Ebeneezer and Agnes Hay brought their family from Scotland to New Zealand. They established a farm at Pigeon Bay, building their herd from just five cows to become a leading stockbreeder and one of the most prestigious operations in the country. In 1886, a storm destroyed the family’s original homestead and they were forced to decamp to the hotel they had built for their guests. The hotel remained their home and is now the Annandale homestead. On your visit, you will have the opportunity to find out more about our history and experience this very special part of the world for yourself.
