Michael King Writers’ Centre

I first had the privilege of visiting this place back in 2009 as a part of a writers’ course run by the late great Dame Christine Catley (RIP, what an epic person). Along with the rest of my writing group, I got to present a bit of my poetry to some of the writers in residence at the time and it was incredibly rewarding. And what a lovely spot — it’s sort of halfway up Mount Victoria so has a lovely view of Devonport village and the harbour beyond. I imagine it’s a fantastic environment for the writers in residence to work in. All up, this is a wonderful destination for lovers of good books and the writers that make them — if you get the chance to do a writing course or anything there I strongly recommend it.

If you ever get the chance to visit the Centre, please do. Not only does it honour the work and memory of a truly great New Zealand writer, it’s located in such a beautiful spot.
The Signalman’s House has a wonderful view down to Devonport and the sea, which you can take it from the little balcony at the side of the house. The Centre hosts writers, both in supported residencies and by offering accommodation to visiting writers. They also run workshops from there and have a book group too, which I would all over if I lived nearby. You can hire rooms here too, and it’s a lovely secluded spot to discuss all things literary.
When I was last there I even got to visit the little shed out back, which has a picturesque view of an apple tree from it’s tiny window, where Eleanor Catton was working on her book, The Luminaries. Lucky eh?