Lignite Pit Cafe

Location :

15 Ashers Rd, Ashers, Invercargill 9875
Added by Jopie, at 10 October 2010

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• Wendelin Wimmer

  17 December 2017

  Great spot for camping :) Big garden and clean facilities :)

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• Angelina Malloch

  07 December 2017

  The Gardens are Incredible! Since my husband brought me here on our return from a decade overseas, it's become my favourite spot in Southland. Gorgeous Lavender & Iris displays. I asked my husband if we could get married again, just so we could have an event here! I look forward to holding Yoga retreats here, Barry & Maree are amazing and I love what they have done with this place. My husband is pretty fussy (ex-chef) and I like a good coffee, all our needs are met here, including Wifi and Phoenix drinks!

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• Tim Macdonald

  21 November 2017

  Garden wise it has really gone down hill in the last year or so . food on the other hand is really good and staff are real nice.

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• Romeo Kim

  16 November 2017

  In A Nutshell:
  
  -The Lignite Pit Cafe & Secret Garden is located virtually in the middle of nowhere it seems.
  -Only a blue highway sign w/ a coffee cup silouette gives any indication of it's existence (and of course Trip Advisor, Google & now Yelp).
  -From the outside it doesn't seem like much, until you see the serene garden/pond in the distance behind the building.
  -Inside you are welcomed in.
  -There is a menu to order some homecooked meals (see photos below).
  -There is also a gift shop & many funny signs & a bit of "lignite pit" history.
  -After eating try taking a walk around the scenic garden, it's very well maintained.
  
  Overall, if you like supporting local & want to experience a low-key, slow-pace of New Zealand life you should come check this place out :)

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• David Rose

  30 October 2017

  Very nice garden and staff, totally unexpected in location.

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• Annette Marr

  25 October 2017

  Lovely place to visit and spend time looking around on a nice day.

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• Nelson Wells

  24 December 2016

  $5 campsite! Complete with god rays. Beautiful garden too!

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• Alan Graham

  09 March 2016

  Has lots of potential but is lacking in major TLC. Weeds are growing through the paths, in some places foliage is almost covering paths and signage. Only cost $2 but feel if the whole place was given a good spruce up they could easily chargs $10.

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• Felix Welker

  28 December 2015

  Very nice little café and the owners are very welcoming. For 5$ you get an unpowered site and free WiFi. There is also a magnificent and very big garden to check out, so if you're around you shouldn't miss it out!

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• Brian Coop

  02 March 2015

  After some not so friendly 'service' in the Catlins, we were thrilled to find this gem of a place. They've taken what was once a scar on the landscape and made it into a wonderful park with a fantastic little cafe and a quiet campground. If you've had enough of the small town grumps as you're leaving the Catlins, stop here for a reminder that you really can create a diamond from coal.

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• A Google User

  17 October 2010

  We heard about the lignite pit from bird watching enthusiasts and finally made the trip to Ashers Road, Southland.
  Based on the very brief comments we had received, our expectations were that we would find a disused and abandoned open-cast lignite mine that was now inhabited by wild birds.
  It would have made a great home video to capture the look on our faces as we drove through the quite-formal entrance and into the well laid out car park.
  A quick glance from the car revealed even more surprises; a café, a museum, manicured lawns, covered gardens and a children’s playground.
  It just got better once we met Dave and Maria, they made us feel welcome, explained some of the history, briefed us on the best walking tracks around the water and gardens, and then left us to explore the area on our own.
  My wife is a wildlife and nature photographer and after three hours (and one thousand and fifty digital photos) we headed back to the café to sample some fresh scones, coffee and an ice cream sundae (all of which were extremely delicious).
  If you are reading this review and thinking “it sounds too good”, then you should visit the lignite pit and then make your own decision.
  Everybody has different expectations, especially when they are on holiday (often driving faster between destinations than they do going to work). So if you are looking for a fast-fix or adrenalin rush, then the lignite pit may not be the ideal choice.
  Dave and Maria are ex diary farmers, both quietly spoken and sincere, their passion and commitment to the project is obvious (and probably exhausting at times). Their facilities provide the chance to have a peaceful day with nature, loads of photo opportunities and some common sense homemade cooking.
  We will be going back for more photos and we will be encouraging others to come with us.

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