We stayed in the shearers cottage overnight on our way to Mt Ruapehu. The cottage is exceptionally clean, has a really funky interior design and is full of awesome useful things like great books, good coffee, bluetooth speakers, a roaring fire which Gina had lit about an hour before we got there. Gina and Scott are the most accommodating hosts and full of great local knowledge, we'd have happily stayed a week and explored the area. Maybe next time...