Our Story

Adrift began with a bold leap of faith in 1980, when Gordon and Bess left the -40°C winters of Canada for the golden shores of New Zealand, arriving with their young daughter and little more than a sense of adventure. Four years later, they discovered ten acres of wild beachfront in Golden Bay and began transforming it into the place that Adrift is today.

Although Gordon is no longer with us, his vision of quiet luxury and his deep love for Tukurua Beach remain at the heart of everything we do. Today, Bess, Emily, Johnny and Jordan continue his legacy of kaitiakitanga—the Maori principle of caring for and protecting the land—while sharing the warmth, generosity and genuine hospitality that our family has spent more than four decades nurturing.

The early years were devoted to creating a life on the land. They established a market garden, built their family home, and raised four children. When Gordon lost his teaching position in 1991, an unexpected idea led to the creation of Lilies in Bloom, a flourishing international business that filled the property each summer with thousands of spectacular flowering lilies.

Hospitality arrived almost by chance. In 2001, a guest wing was built for Bess's father, who sadly passed away before he could enjoy it. Rather than leave its breathtaking views unused, the family welcomed their first guests on Boxing Day 2002, opening a small beachfront bed and breakfast.

Soon after, daughter Emily and her husband Johnny joined the family business, bringing their hospitality experience and a shared vision for the future. As demand grew, the lily business was gradually replaced by luxury accommodation, and over the following years the five beachfront villas that define Adrift today were thoughtfully created.

While much has changed, the heart of Adrift remains the same. It is still a family-owned retreat where genuine hospitality, thoughtful design, and a deep respect for the surrounding landscape shape every guest experience.

We feel incredibly blessed to call this remarkable place home and to share it with guests from around the world. Our hope is that during your stay you'll discover the same sense of peace, beauty and belonging that first captured our hearts all those years ago.