Mainholm Lodge is a grand Edwardian homestead which has been beautifully restored back to its former glory. Built in 1906 for the Dickison family, the current house replaces an earlier homestead which was destroyed by fire. This double and triple brick home took four years to complete. Initially a substantial station property, Mainholm now has three hectares of beautiful grounds nestled between the Pomahaka river and the Blue Mountains.
Mainholm has a fascinating history. After being enjoyed as a large family home for many decades, it gradually fell into a state of disrepair. By the mid 1980s it was largely derelict. It was then purchased by a film producer, who gave Mainholm a starring role in 'The Returning'; a New Zealand feature film shot during the summer of 1990. This supernatural love story was shot in and around Mainholm which, in its dilapidated state, provided an atmospheric backdrop to the film.
The process of restoring Mainholm Lodge back to its former glory began in the 1990s. Traditional materials were used to repair the building and original features, which included hand painted friezes, fireplaces and wooden trimmings, were carefully restored. Great effort was put into ensuring that even the finest detail was not overlooked and the end result was a nothing but the very best restoration possible.
Today its hard to imagine that Mainholm was once anything but the beautiful house it is today. The house offers 5 bedrooms upstairs - 2 ensuite (Grantham Suite and Roxburgh Suite) and 2 with basins in the rooms (Antoinette Room and Marlborogh Room) and the Maids Room, a smaller room with double bed. Downstairs you'll find the Lounge, Study, Morning Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Pantry and an additional bathroom. Take a walk in the beautiful garden and find a place to sit and relax, read a book, enjoy a coffee or play a game of croquet.
