Your elevated escape into nature
Discover Beresford Heights and Beresford Rise—two secluded, boutique accommodations perched atop private farmland in Owaka, The Catlins, New Zealand. A luxury mountain escape with sweeping views, total privacy, and nature at your doorstep. Soak in panoramic views and unwind in peaceful, private surroundings.
OUR STORY
Warren and Stephanie Burgess together with their son Cameron and his partner Annabel are third and fourth generation farmers of Beresford Farms, a 1,330-hectare sheep and cattle property with 200ha remaining in native forest.
It is home to a breeding herd of 250 Simmental cows and flock of 4,050 mixed age breeding ewes and 1,100 hoggets.
Predominantly North Island Romney breed however in recent years we have integrated terminal breeds such as South Down and Texel. Most recently, we acquired a small South Down stud, with rams now sold privately.
Outside of our replacements, our lambs are finished on farm and sent as primes to the local Silver Fern Farms meat processor, Finegands (40kms away). Replacement calves stay on farm and we sell all other calves at the annual Owaka/Clutha Calf sale at Balclutha Sale Yards.
Due to extensive native forest on farm and in neighbouring reserves, we have a large number of red and fallow deer and possums. We actively control these ourselves with external help when required.
Our farm has a heavy focus on Stud Simmental cattle. In 1981 Beresford Simmental stud was established, breeding and supplying top quality bulls throughout New Zealand.
After trialling a number of breeds, we found Simmental’s were the best suited to this country. 35 bulls are bred and wintered each year and then sold as rising two-year-olds at our annual on farm sale.
The idea of creating this unique haven and sharing the tranquil landscape with travellers has been a joint family project for us. Since its establishment in 2019, Beresford Heights has provided a luxury escape to both New Zealand and European visitors alike. With demand growing each year, the decision to build Beresford Rise was driven by a desire to offer another slice of paradise rather than turn travellers away.
Increasing interest in our Catlins heritage, traditional farming practices, and the appeal of simpler times inspired us to open our farm gate, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in an authentic rural experience through our farm tours.
As a family we are delighted to welcome people from around the globe and share our treasured piece of paradise.
HERITAGE
Prior to the European settlers the Catlins was occupied by the Maori who hunted the now extinct Moa and fished the coast which was teeming with fish and shellfish.
The first European settlers were whalers and sealers, the only record from that time is Captain Cattlin’s (sic) sketch of the estuary which now bears his name.
During 1865 the first sawmill was established, followed by others around The Catlins River estuary and further south, hardy pioneers established smallholdings which led to the first township of Owake.
As the settlement expanded and the bush was depleted around the estuary, the settlers clamoured for a railway. The Catlins River Branch Railway started in Balclutha (1879) and reached Owaka in 1896 and terminated at Tahakopa (1915). It closed in 1971 but was a vital transport link in Otago. Originally built to provide access to the region’s dense forests for logging, the railway played a crucial role in the economic development of The Catlins, enabling the transport of timber, livestock, and goods to larger markets. The line stretched from Balclutha to Tahakopa, passing through small settlements and rugged terrain, including the Hunts Road Tunnel, the southernmost railway tunnel in New Zealand. Over time, as road transport improved and the timber industry declined, the railway’s significance diminished. Despite its closure, the railway is remembered as an essential part of The Catlins’ history, shaping the region’s growth and connecting remote communities to the wider Otago area.
Pioneer farming was on 50-acre blocks held under long-term lease with right of purchase. Small herds of cows supplied many cheese factories or the butter factory in Owaka (1923-73), until all closed following a general conversion of farms from dairying to sheep farming. However, by this time much of the bush had been removed, not without trauma as bushfires got out of control, and extensive grasslands were created. Fortunately, much bush south of Owaka escaped the full onslaught of the sawmillers, the result being the preservation of extensive scenic reserves and forests.
The entire region experienced dramatic farming changes in the late 20th century with amalgamations into larger units, sheep competing with dairy and beef stock, and more recently the establishment of giant dairy farms with herds of 500 cows and above.
Parts of the railway are still maintained today and can be walked along on the Matai Falls and Rail Trail. This part of the railway joins to the Beresford Farm section which runs the length of the farm North. Opposite your hosts home was the old railway station where supplies were delivered and livestock and lumber were loaded to make the journey back to Balcutha and further north.
If you have the time we highly recommend a trip to the Owaka Museum to learn more and to walk the Matai Falls and Rail Trail which has stories and photos from this time.
Why the name Beresford Heights & Beresford Rise?
Beresford Heights is located 400m above sea level on Table Hill. It is a distinctive flat-topped hill that holds both geological and cultural significance. The Catlins region is known for its ancient landscapes, shaped by millions of years of geological activity, and Table Hill is no exception. The area surrounding the hill is rich in biodiversity, providing a habitat for native flora and fauna, including rare bird species. Historically, Table Hill has been a landmark for explorers and settlers, offering panoramic views of the rugged terrain and coastline. The Māori name for the hill, Tua-ta-pere, translates to "fairy mountain," reflecting the deep cultural connections to the land. Today, it remains a sought-after destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, serving as a gateway to the untamed beauty of The Catlins.
Since Table Hill is also situated in the Milton area, we wanted to avoid any confusion for travellers. Instead of incorporating "Table Hill" into the name, we chose to name it after the Native Forest Reserve that sits directly opposite Beresford Heights—Beresford Range.
The Beresford Range, is a lesser-known yet striking part of the region’s rugged landscape and spans approximately 10,118 hectares. Nestled within The Catlins, this range contributes to the area's rich natural beauty, offering breathtaking views and a sense of seclusion. It forms part of a network of ranges, including the nearby Rata, Maclennan, and Forest Ranges, which shape the diverse terrain of the region. The Beresford Range is significant not only for its scenic appeal but also for its role in supporting local biodiversity. The surrounding forests and grasslands provide habitats for native wildlife, including birds such as the New Zealand falcon. Additionally, the range is a gateway to outdoor exploration, with walking tracks that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the untamed beauty of The Catlins. Whether admired from afar or explored up close, the Beresford Range remains an integral part of Otago’s natural heritage.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Beresford Heights is proud to receive and uphold the Silver Qualmark Accreditation. This accreditation assures our guests that we are a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.
Proactive leadership and management ensure a high-performance culture is evident throughout Beresford Heights.
Beresford Heights will continuously improve its economic, social and environmental performance to ensure the tourism accommodation we deliver is a genuine, sustainable experience.
With the recent opening of Beresford Rise, we are committed to maintaining the same standard of excellence and working towards achieving a comparable quality accreditation. Our dedication to exceptional hospitality and sustainable tourism remains at the heart of everything we do.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
At Beresford Farms very passionate about the welfare of our livestock, providing them with fresh pastures, quality drinking water, and adequate shelter. Our farm provides habitats that support biodiversity and protection for our native species.
We are working on reducing carbon emissions, moving towards a carbon neutral sheep and beef farm by 2050 or sooner. We are continually working with meat and fertiliser companies to establish ways to offset our carbon footprint and utilise and protect our extensive native indigenous forests on farm.
We are continually developing our fencing infrastructure to better exclude stock from negatively impacting our waterways. This is not an easy task given the topography of the land.
We are proud to be New Zealand Farm Assured certified and have achieved the NZFAP Plus Gold Standard. This certification offers consumers around the world confidence in the authenticity, quality, and safety of the meat and wool produced on New Zealand farms.
Collectively this provides assurances regarding integrity, traceability, animal health as well as responsible management of people, farm resources, natural ecosystems, and biosecurity.
In recent years, we have enrolled eligible areas of our farm’s extensive native forest into the Carbon Credit system. This initiative not only provides financial benefits for land previously considered uneconomic but also enables us to reinvest those funds into the protection and enhancement of our biodiversity.
We are motivated to ensure Beresford Farms is a sustainable business for the future generations.
