Taiwan-born artist Evelyne Siegrist-Huang and her late husband Swiss-born artist Raouf Siegrist travelled and exhibited widely before settling in the Coromandel, New Zealand. During a holiday in the Coromandel in 1992, they fell so in love with a property that they bought it on the spot. They developed it into a comfortable, elegant country retreat they named buffalo lodge. The lodge's name was inspired by the HMS Buffalo, which sailed into the Coromandel in the nineteenth century. The ship was wrecked in July 1840 off a beach near Whitianga, now known as Buffalo Beach, while on a journey to collect kauri spars.
Evelyne and Raouf's fascination with other cultures is reflected in the tribal artifacts that they have collected from exotic locations such as Sumatra, Morocco and Bali. They are attractively displayed in the lodge, along with their own distinctive paintings and terracotta sculptures.
The discovery of gold in 1852 at Driving Creek brought a boom to the Coromandel. Artifacts and buildings of that period are still evident in the township today. Old shop facades have been restored and Coromandel town is now lined with cafes and craft and curio shops.
Evelyne is a gracious and welcoming host who combines her work at the lodge with her painting. She finds the inspiring and tranquil natural environment very conducive to her creativity.
Enjoy three-course candle-lit gourmet dinners in the uplifting atmosphere of buffalo lodge's spacious dining room, furnished with designer kauri furniture, while watching the sun set over the ocean. Guests from all over the world have praised Evelyne's outstanding culinary skills. She has had over five years' experience as a chef in a Gault Millau-rated restaurant in Switzerland. You can look forward to healthy food prepared from fresh local fish and seafood in season, local lamb or New Zealand venison, served with garden fresh vegetables or salad. Vegetarian meals are available on request. If you wish to dine out there are several restaurants in Coromandel town that cater to a range of tastes.
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