Highway House was built in 1935 by the renowned local stonemason, Jack Docherty, as his family residence.

The skills of the original owner are reflected in the high quality of workmanship evident today. One enters the establishment by way of a splendid circular front entrance with extruded pointing. The property is bounded by characteristic Oamaru stone walls, higher on the south side, which recall an English walled garden where guests may relax or dine al-fresco in a quiet and sheltered area.

Subsequently, the house was occupied by a music teacher and it is believed at that time a grand piano graced the lounge, a room which possesses a neo-classical, Italianate ceiling of the highest order which was, in fact, installed by Italian craftsmen. There are also many fine stained glass windows in that room and throughout the house.

Today’s guests enjoy their breakfasts in the sunny Beethoven Room, named to record this time.
 
 

Through further generations the house continued to be the loved residence of several important local families until acquired in 2000 by Stephanie and Norman Slater. In order to be able to offer the quality Bed and Breakfast accommodation facilities they wished to provide, sensitive renovations and refurbishment to a very high standard were undertaken.

Architecturally, Highway House is typical of the late nineteenth century Arts and Crafts style. William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the principal designers of this movement, presented their organic motifs of plants and fruits in wallpaper and furnishings. There is some reflection of this in the current interior decoration. Generally, the furniture and mantelpieces were relatively plain within the Arts and Crafts style; however, the plate rack in the living room stands out, surrounded by Canadian oak paneling.

In the refurbishment of Highway House and landscaping of the considerable garden areas, every endeavour has been made to retain the beauty and style of a former era. Successfully, the aesthetic past has yielded an exquisitely comfortable present.