Your Hosts
Andy and Jolene, were both born and bred in Wellington. Andy and Jolene met on the train during their hour-long commute from the Kapiti Coast to their respective government jobs in Wellington.
In April 2019, after many years of high-pressure roles in Wellington, Andy and Jolene left the ‘pressure cooker’ for a complete ‘sea change’ and moved to the West Coast. Buying an existing motel, they immediately set about transforming it into something special, incorporating the goldmining history of the area, and showcasing the natural beauty of the setting. In short order, they took the ‘diamond in the rough’ to the Qualmark Gold 4 Star property that it is today.
Jolene’s hospitality, and sparkling personality, will ensure that you are well looked after during your stay with us. You will find that nothing is too much trouble. Andrew’s love of the outdoors, and motorcycling, leave him well-placed to provide information on travel routes, scenic options, and outdoor attractions.
Our Story
Goldfield Suites is built on remediated gold diggings stretching back to the 1864 to 1867 goldrush, and gold can still be found in our stream. This historic connection is reflected in the names of our suites.
Miners were attracted from the Central Otago Gold Rush, and from Victoria, Australia where the Victorian gold rush had nearly finished. Between 1864 and 1866 the population on the West Coast grew from 1,800 to an estimated 50,000.
Gold diggings in our wider valley included: Saltwater Creek, Brighton Gully (also known as Diamond Gully and Rutherglen), Infants Creek, Welshman's, German Gully, German terrace, Italian gully, Limestone digging, Moa Flat, Cards creek, Saddle, Baker's Track, Fenian or Black Sand Lead, Limestone, Maori Creek or Dunganville, Nemona, Liverpool Bill’s, Soldiers terrace, cockeye creek, cockabulla creek, 8 mile creek, mosquito creek, Irishman’s creek, Patterson’s creek, Cavanagh’s creek, Gummies flat, Marsden, and Woods Creek.
Woods creek historic workings, further up our valley, have been protected by the Department of conservation and showcases remnants of the mining history. The area contains tailrace and tunnel workings that can be explored, with story boards detailing the history. Worked by the Chinese in the late 1800s it is a great showcase of the power of man verses technology.
Community
Andy and Jolene are both strong supporters of the local community: actively supporting the Salvation Army through donations of bedding and household items for those in need, as well as an annual monetary donation.
Andrew, as a returned serviceman, is a member of the local Returned Services Association branch, and a member of a number of motorcycle riding clubs.
Guests may also get the opportunity to interact with the two community horses that periodically ‘stay’ to ‘mow’ our front paddock.
