The Coach Inns of Central Otago regard no rival. Many have succumbed to floods, fires, undisciplined renovation and commissions. Of those which remain, Danseys Pass stands proud. The essential elements of a 19th century Coach Inn have been retained, and sensitive, authentic refurbishing has captured the character and unique atmosphere of the gold rush era. Danseys Pass Coach Inn is located deep in the Kyeburn Diggings and has a colourful history traced back to the 1860s, when it serviced a multi-cultural gold prospecting community of 2000.
Teamsters with their wagon trains plying trade between the Waitaki Basin and the Central Otago goldfields used the Coach Inn as a stopover when travelling to the more remote prospecting areas of Central Otago. The area offers noiseless, peaceful nights, followed by endless tranquil days.
Danseys Pass is 2000ft above sea level and the region boasts the most constant weather and the second highest sunshine count in New Zealand. Hot, dry summers are followed by the long shadows and subtle tones of autumn with cold, dry winters and snow, contrasting block mountain structures that rise sharply from expansive plains.
Suitable for all seasons the activities in the region include curling in the purpose built all season centre and as well as reliable ice skating and an ice luge track, the choice of three golf courses for golf enthusiasts. The purity and seclusion of the Maniototo’s mountain streams is a fly fisherman’s fantasy. Mountain tramping and mountain biking are options for those who take their fitness on vacation. Gold panners with perseverance can expect a “strike of colour”.
Or for those that enjoy a more relaxed holiday you could experience the atmosphere. Soak up the peace and tranquillity. Big skies area backdrop to expansive, ever changing Maniototo vistas. Witness the dramatic golden cliff formations – a landscape which might have been scratched with a giant’s fingernail. The Maniototo is frontier country.
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Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Danseys Pass Coach Inn boasts the best dining experience in the Maniototo. Bookings for dinner are essential.
Our Dinner menu includes:
Starters - range from $10-22
Cabiatta bread with homemade roast garlic butter
Soup of the day
Crusty hot bread with baked camembert cheese served with basil pesto dip (Suitable for 2)
Entrees - range from $15-18
Buffalo wings; crispy chicken wings tossed in chilli sauce and served with blue cheese dip
Beef cheeks slow cooked in a rich Mongolian tomato spiced stew with red beet garnish
Scallops sautéed in Thai red curry sauce with shredded coconut shavings
Duck breast served in a pastry tart with roast peach, spiced pumpkin & maple fromage frais crème filling
Mains - range from $32-42
Two beefs; Rib eye steak or Eye fillet grilled on the open hot plate to your choice, served with sautéed button mushrooms filled with caramelised onions with a oyster sauce & port wine reduction.
Duo of lamb; Roast rack of lamb with herb crust and pan fried lamb back strap served with Hoi Hoi smash (Maori potato) with baby pea puree and mint chilli jelly glaze
Denver leg venison pan fried med/rare with bacon and mushroom wild rice and a thyme Drambuie cream sauce
Pork fillet pan-fried, sliced into medallions, served with toffee apple puree and camomile apple infused tea jus.
Duo of Salmon; Salmon fillet baked, served with lemon horseradish mustard cream and a wedge of smoked salmon chive terrine $34
Chicken thighs grilled & stacked with red peppers, soft haloumi cheese, spinach and a roast red pepper and cherry tomato coulis on top of pearl barley risotto
All mains are served with seasonal vegetables and a petit salad.
Desserts
Choose from our daily dessert board $14
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