Our story

Our place is so much more than a building, or just a café. Since it was first dreamed about, it’s always been a place for people. A place to gather, a place to meet your friends or make new ones, a place to share stories, a place to relax, to feel welcome, a place to be.

Philip and Anne Woodward have lived together in Waikaretu since 1976, and Philip has lived here since he was two years old. They have five adult children, James, Emily, Catherine, Nicola and Andrew, and thirteen grandchildren.

They opened the cave on their farm to the public in 1994 and as the business grew so did the need to have a dedicated centre to operate from. Their dreams for the café grew for many years before the first foundations were laid, and after a long building process the café opened its doors in 2008.

The café philosophy has always been fresh, seasonal, local and hospitable.