If you’re looking for pet-friendly, modern accommodation with a cafe making homemade delicious goodies right next door, then Benger Garden Cafe and Chalets is the place for you.
Each chalet is fully self-contained with its own private bathroom.
Are you on the bike trail looking for a great place to stay? We’ll come and pick you up and drop you off.
Winner of the Qualmark 4 star Bronze award.
Beautiful big outdoor seating area with bird aviary and stunning gardens.
Homemade cakes and gourmet pies. Dogs are most welcome.
Safe play area for kids and great atmosphere.

Winner of the Qualmark 4 star Bronze award.
Fully self-contained brand new accommodation located in Ettrick, Central Otago.
The Clutha Gold Trail and Roxburgh Trail are right on our doorstep. We offer pickup and drop off.
Explore the delights of the Teviot Valley fruit bowl with roadside orchards and fruit stands.
You’ll find plenty of greats walks and if hunting is your thing Mt Benger is the place to go.
Our TripAdvisor Reviews
Here’s what some of our customers are saying about our cafe and chalets.
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Absolutely magical cabin – Oh my word the Benger Cafe cabin experience was total magic . The guys have done the cabins up to such a high standard, better than some fancy hotels… read more . Lee was such an amazing host too, I really mucked him about with dates but nothing seemed too much trouble , you totally deserve the success of your obvious hard work and efforts . The cafe was also great, a stunning garden and play area for the little ones . We will be back !
640Kirsty1967
24/02/2024Benger Garden Chalets – The chalet is wonderfully designed, a brilliant place for a couple – warm, with everything top-quality. The hosts are friendly, hospitable, and informative. The adjacent cafe has all you need… read more for meals. The area is great for cycling, gold-rush history, and now, fruit plantations. Highly recommended.
B P
18/02/2022 -
I recommend stopping if your traveling through – Amazing service very friendly and amazing food. Fresh ingredients . Will be stopping next time we are traveling through
Fearless46163921577
15/07/2023Great little cafe – Worth a visit. Good food and coffee, friendly staff and the place has had a real facelift. Outside area be great on on a fine day or night. Caters for… read more locals and travellers and I bet the locals are happy having a place to go in the evenings. If you haven’t stopped by in a while suggest that you do so.
765kayeklo
22/11/2022We were cycling the Clutha Gold Trail. Lee (our host) came and picked us and our bikes up from Millers Flat and took us back the next morning to continue… read more cycling. The Chalet was well appointed and very comfortable. Even though the cafe was closed at night Lee organized a delicious meal which he delivered to our chalet. Breakfast was great too and part of the tariff! Highly recommend Benger Garden Cafe and Chalet – and especially highlight the wonderful care, attention and service from Lee the owner.
183noelw
02/05/2022 -
Best all day breakie – Benger cafe has the best all day breakfast I’ve had in NZ & I’ve had them all over our awesome country, while 99% of the places are great, John &… read more Leandro’s food & service is consistently excellent along with their staff, well done guy’s
Shrek
16/12/2023What a wonderful place to stumble upon – We just stumbled upon this lovely place when we needed to stop for a coffee on our way North to Dunedin. What a lovely place. We didn’t get to sit… read more outside in the cute outdoor area as we were there early in the morning, but it looked lovely with grape vines full of baby grapes hanging over the tables in the covered area. The coffee was lovely and just what the doctor ordered. We had two banana and chocolate chip muffins which were still warm from the oven. Delicious 😋
Carole B
03/11/2024Highly recommend 👌 – Great selection of cabinet and freshly cooked food.
I had an omelet which was perfectly cooked and had lots of filling.
My flat white coffee was the perfect temperature.… read more
Indoor and beautiful large outdoor garden options.
I think this place is the best food option between Dunedin and Queenstown.Companion53361596842
03/11/2023 -
I recommend stopping if your traveling through – Amazing service very friendly and amazing food. Fresh ingredients . Will be stopping next time we are traveling through
Cross Country
14/07/2023The cafe now has a lovely new chalet on site. Its absolutely gorgeous. Very attractive, clean, linen sheets, comfy bed, nice bathroom, private, pretty, quiet and a beautiful design. The… read more hosts are wonderful, they happily chat about the area or leave you to enjoy your privacy. We were even treated to a lovely bottle of wine. This is the perfect place to stay for a couple of nights – and make sure you take advantage of the delicious breakfast included in your stay.
megan l
22/01/2022Stayed in Benger Garden Chalet and ate in Cafe – We were cycling the Clutha Gold Trail. Lee (our host) came and picked us and our bikes up from Millers Flat and took us back the next morning to continue… read more cycling. The Chalet was well appointed and very comfortable. Even though the cafe was closed at night Lee organized a delicious meal which he delivered to our chalet. Breakfast was great too and part of the tariff! Highly recommend Benger Garden Cafe and Chalet – and especially highlight the wonderful care, attention and service from Lee the owner.
Noel W
01/05/2022
Our Latest Reviews from Google
Here’s what some of our customers are saying about our cafe and chalets on Google.
Robyn Mullen2025-02-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stopped here for brunch......and what a brunch!!! Has a beer garden with lots of hanging begonia baskets (any gardener would die for). The meals were terrific and reasonably priced. Chris Marriott2025-02-02Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Breakfast was fantastic could not fault it at all.Staff was great,outdoor eating area and gardens were beautiful,a pleasure to call in there. We will be back.Yes three times we have been back. And three times we have had the WORST breakfast ever.Fried eggs solid white runny yolk no way.Eggs just like hokey pucks hard and crisp didn't eat them.Crispy bacon never heard of it how hard is it about as hard as the eggs I suppose.Well never to return until they find a cook. John Garwood2025-01-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stopped by for lunch, well worth it for the GF options, reasonably priced. Heather Payne2025-01-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An iced coffee in the beautiful garden! XINGZHUO HU2025-01-01Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Host is really friendly and nice. He responded us quickly. The accommodation is definitely worth and it is the cleanest and the tidiest room I have lived in NZ. It is not easy to make it clean as this by the several people here. I can feel their attitude and hard work. The house is designed cozy and comfortable. If you just drop by, pls have a rest here. The photos were the perfect breakfast. Btw, they have local honey here very affordable and in good quality. 非常推薦這裡休息,風景優美,房間很整潔乾淨(紐西蘭的房間我覺得衛生都比較一般),但是這個房間很乾淨!全五分!而且這裡有本地的蜂蜜喔! John Ayoub2024-12-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nice place to stop. Gardens nice to sit in and have your food. Catherine Connor2024-11-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I stayed 1 night in a chalet as part of a 4 day biking trip. Best accommodation ever. We left our bike in their shed at Millers Flat and John came to pick us up (then dropped us off the next morning). The chalets are gorgeous and very well equipped (wifi, TV, microwave, fridge, outlets by the bed, hair dryer, plates, cups, etc..). Walking distance is the café (best option in the area) for brekkie and dinner. Across the street are honey and fruit stalls. We were so grateful for John and Lee's hospitality. Highly recommended as a stop for a great night of sleep, quietness, and great food.
Our Booking.com Reviews
Here’s what some of our customers are saying about our chalet accommodation in Ettrick.
EXCELLENT Based on 139 reviews Amy2025-02-119.0Verified Wonderful ☺ Very cool design of chalets, comfortable bed , beautiful gardens, outdoor bath, excellent full cafe breakfast included ☹ The proximity next to the highway. But traffic does die down at night. Brian2025-01-2710Verified Exceptional ☺ Very nice place to stay. The chalets was very nice and comfortable. The gardens are pretty cool. The Cafe was fantastic. ☹ We liked it all Ruth2025-01-268.0Verified Love the chalet, and the included breakfast - this was a repeat visit! ☺ Lovely location in the garden beside the cafe. Love the design of the Chalet. ☹ Road noise until about 10pm. Couldn’t use ice box in refrigerator. Craig2025-01-199.0Verified Lovely place to stay. The Chalets are a hidden gem and very relaxing. ☺ Breakfast was excellent and staff very friendly. Nice way to start the day Samara2025-01-1310Verified Exceptional Hina2025-01-0410Verified Must visit ☺ Superb place! Absolutely LOVED it! The chalet itself and the breakfast were SUPERB! Hu2025-01-0110Verified Excellent! ☺Host is really friendly and nice. He responded us quickly. The accommodation is definitely worth and it is the cleanest and the tidiest room I have lived in NZ. It is not easy to make it clean as this by the several people here. I can feel their attitude and hard work. The house is designed cozy and comfortable. If you just drop by, pls have a rest here. The photos were the perfect breakfast. Btw, they have local honey here very affordable and in good quality. 非常推薦這裡休息,風景優美,房間很整潔乾淨(紐西蘭的房間我覺得衛生都比較一般),但是這個房間很乾淨!全五分!而且這裡有本地的蜂蜜喔! ☹It is good so far. But when I checked the messages sent to me, it was not said which room I booked( C1 or C2). Sonya2024-12-309.0Verified Wonderful Brian2024-12-2810Verified Exceptional ☺ Garden setting and the unique building as well as the breakfast! Nerissa2024-12-2810Verified Would stay again and again and again ☺ We absolutely loved our stay. Quick & easy check in. The room was modern and spacious. Had great tv options and are dog friendly! We didn’t want to leave. We were worried about dinner options in the area only to be advised that if we came back before 5pm, they would deliver us food to our room by 6pm. ☹ -
Our Latest Reviews from Airbnb
Here’s what some of our customers are saying about our cafe and chalets on Airbnb.
Caitlin26. January, 2025. Unique and very relaxing space to spend a night. Courtney30. December, 2024. Beautiful space! Larger than expected too. Sam28. December, 2024. Comfortable and peaceful place to stay! Renee27. December, 2024. The accomodation, location, and the food at the cafe were all amazing. Unfortunately the unhygienic state of the bbq (primary cooking appliance) was far below expectations at that price point Harrison26. December, 2024. Was an awesome place to stay at for Christmas! Would definitely recommend to others looking for accomodation in the area! Alex24. December, 2024. Great setup with a relaxing vibe. The outdoor space and gardens were a nice feature. The cafe food was delicious also. Shannon13. November, 2024. Very cute cabin, loved the little private courtyard with BBQ and outdoor bath. Had everything we needed and the breakfast included is a very nice touch. Marie27. April, 2024. What a find. Lee is a great host . We loved our stay here. Great bed and quality linen. Lee and his team made us extremely welcome. Jessica3. April, 2024. A comfortable and convenient place to stay. The cafe was great and staff was super friendly! Clare25. January, 2024. very cozy chalet, perfect after a long trek! fast speed internet, cozy bed, modern and comfortable, with a beautiful garden and tasty breakfast included! 10/10Airbnb rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 33 reviews