Our Story
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
We, Linzi, Jeff and young Syd, are incredibly proud to showcase The Tommy House and our
Award-winning farm to you.
Tomogalak Gorge is a story of passion, dedication, and incredibly hard work. We have a vision to create a park-like environment and a sustainable business that we can share with visitors of The Tommy House.
Through the Decades
When Jeff's parents purchased the farm in 1979, Tomogalak Gorge was part of a 5000 acre bare run block with very few trees but a lot of wind..
Much time was spent in the bulldozer seat and there were a few near misses with machinery !
The ancient rocks, home to the native karearea (native falcon) survey the lush sheltered paddocks that now surround the flat areas of the farm.
The Tommy House is nestled quietly in the orchard and berry garden.
Sited privately against a backdrop of trees, it enjoys incredible views of the hills and the mountains beyond.
Looking South toward Gore, This area is now a reserve. (Look at the photograph to your right.)
This area is now a reserve under Landcare Trust. It houses a significant area of native fauna and flora as well as one of the three gravity fed water schemes that supply the farm.
Linzi and Jeff are constantly planting native plants from Linzis own plant nursery into areas on the farm. this way we enhance and foster habitats for native birds such as koromako (Bellbird), pukeko, keruru and tui.
Freshwater crayfish can be observed in the waterways and of course our river boasts world renowned brown trout.
Jeff's dad spent many, many hours on machinery "breaking in' the land. Fencing areas and creating paddocks from the vast un-managable blocks.
Jeff's Mum bumped along the rough tracks each day to deliver a lovely home made lunch for her workers.
The Tommy Trail
Guests can book an experience on our Tommy Trail, where, after a 1-2hr walk you will arrive at our beautiful
back-country hut by the river.
Here you will find a delectable lunch or 'smoko' of Tommy Treats waiting for you before you return at your leisure or by arranged vehicle to The Tommy House to relax.
Enquiries Welcome.
Our Awards
Tomogalak Gorge is an 870ha hill country sheep and beef farm ranging in elevation form 300-700 meters above sea level.
We have over 170ha of reserves, trees and native regeneration, consisting of 30ha of river reserves, 75ha of production forestry and
12ha ofLandcare Trust Reserve.
With 150 Angus breeding cows and two lines of sheep numbering nearly 3,000 breeding ewes - the Perendale and the self shedding Wiltshire - Tomogalak Gorge is a busy and productive property.
2005
In 2005 The farm won the Heritage Restoration Award in The Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA)
2005
In 2005 the farm went on to become the Supreme Winner of The Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
The Judges recognising the family's commitment to environmental protection and a philosphy that reflected a desire to work to restore land and habitat health.
2019
In 2019 the farm was recognised by Environment Southland and was presented with The Environmental Leadership in Farming and Land Management title
2020
In 2020, Jeff was given the New Zealand Farm Forestry Landcare Trust Award for Innovation in Sustainable Farm Forestry