good for you

Spectacular beaches that are home to fur seals and crested penguins, untouched lowland rainforests spread between pristine lakes and rivers - few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki. Set between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea in the 7 million-acre South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, the lodge is landscaped into a lakeside clearing surrounded by 1,000-year-old rainforest trees. It offers a high level of comfort in 24 comfortable Rainforest Rooms and 4 luxury Riverview Rooms.

The Moeraki Lounge, historic Red Dog Saloon, Riverview Restaurant and Moeraki Rapids Restaurant all look out across the Moeraki River. A gourmet meal and a relaxed drink from a surprisingly extensive wine list as you watch the river roll by and the trout jumping is a wonderful wilderness tonic in a hectic world. Radiating from the Lodge is a network of rainforest, river and seashore walks. There is a fleet of canoes and kayaks for you to explore Lake Moeraki and the Moeraki River with trout fishing gear also available. A team of nature guides from the Lodge will introduce you to the Southern Cross, fiordland crested penguins (June to December), fur and elephant seals, giant tame eels, unique birdlife and primeval forests.

good for new zealand

Husband and wife owners, teacher Anne Saunders and biologist Dr. Gerry McSweeney, arrived at Lake Moeraki (which means "to sleep by day" in the Maori language) in 1989 from Wellington where Gerry was director of New Zealand's largest environmental organisation. They founded this lodge, along with Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass, to demonstrate the importance of conservation to New Zealand's tourism industry, which is a more sustainable alternative than logging and grazing in heritage forest areas.

The small size of this lodge ensures a more environmentally friendly property requiring less energy, less water, less waste water and a generally reduced impact on nature. The place runs on electricity from its own innovative hydroelectric facility, while the lodge structures are built in natural forest clearings and designed to blend in with the landscape. Buildings to face north to achieve maximum passive solar heating and feature materials traditionally characteristic of construction in the area: stone, concrete, wood and corrugated iron. Waste is recycled where possible and local produce is used in the kitchen. The owners are genuine environmentalists who actively participate in the conservation of the area and the local community.

Rooms

Food

The lodge's Riverside Restaurant looks out over well-kept lawns down to the river, with its leaping trout and plentiful water birds, to take in a lovely view of the sparkling water and the forest's edge.

The menu of "wilderness food" includes lots of fresh ingredients like whitebait from the river, seafood from the coast, game from the forest and delicious locally grown vegetables and fresh fruit.

The cellar boasts an excellent selection of local and international wines.

Features & Facilities

• Restaurant and bar enjoying magnificent views (breakfast and dinner included in the rates)
• Trained on-staff naturalists and guides lead daily activities.
• The lodge provides guests with excellent maps and interpretive material to take on self-guided walks.
• Shared Internet in the common area only
• Many activities (and the loan of requisite equipment like canoes and life jackets) are included in the rates.
• Laundry service

Local Info & Activities

history

Early Maori camped in this area to gather eels, whitebait, freshwater mussels and hunt birds. Across the river from the lodge, a small Historic Reserve, managed by Ngai Tahu, the main South Island Maori tribe, explores the area's pre-colonial history and the living culture of the tribe.

From 1962 onwards, the lodge site was the main construction camp for the Haast Highway - New Zealand's last major road construction. At its heart was the historic "Red Dog Saloon" - an illegal bar which is now part of the lodge.

Lake Moeraki is an excellent destination for nature lovers and for a relaxing retreat away from the pressures of the modern world.

On arrival guests are given maps and information on the lodge's walk network, forest and seacoast trails and canoeing.

walks network

The lodge's walks network covers 10km (6 miles) and enables you to explore the Lower Moeraki Valley and seacoast.

Lakeside Walk is an easy 20 minute return forest walk to the outlet of Lake Moeraki with great mountain views.

Giant Rimu Walk winds down the Moeraki Valley above rapids to giant rimu trees and a lovely Lodge lookout and continues to the Moeraki lagoon.

Monro Beach Walk is an 80 minute return walk through ancient rainforest to wild and beautiful Tasman sea where large penguins can between August and December.

Canoes (and lifejackets) are provided for guests' use on the lake, not downriver at any time during your stay. You can canoe right around scenic Lake Moeraki.

short guided nature trips

Every day, the lodge's naturalist guides offer two guided activities (each about an hour long) that change each day and are included in the rates. You can learn about the rainforests, discover ferns, orchids, giant native pigeon, bellbird and tui. We take night walks to see glowworms, the Southern Cross and freshwater crayfish. There are also historical talks and you can learn easy canoeing.

short trips include:

Ancient Rainforest Trees, Tree Ferns and Birds

Freshwater Life in the Wilderness Lodge Rainforests taking in feedings time for the giant tame eels and trout.

Easy Canoeing in the Sheltered Inlets of Lake Moeraki in the lodge's safe, stable minnow canoes.

Living in the Wilderness - learn how to live in harmony with the environment.

Glowworms, Morepork Owls, Freshwater Crayfish and the Southern Cross - an after dinner night walk.

longer optional guided adventure trips

Alternatively, every day, year-round the lodge offers guided wilderness adventure programmes. Join a small group and accompany the skilled nature guides. On safe, well-planned adventures you will get close to wildlife, learn about the forest, experience amazing scenery and friendly company. The charge for these trips range from NZ$78 to NZ$98 per person (minimum 4 persons).

Wilderness Seacoast, Fiordland Crested Penguin and New Zealand Fur Seals Tramping Adventure_:@This is a dramatic and challenging wet footed walk. It involves wildlife viewing, scrambling over beach rocks and along beaches and, at the end, a 400-foot steep hill climb.

Wilderness Seacoast, Hector's Dolphin, Rainforest, Tree Fern and Goldminers Walk_: There is a huge variety on this walk - a lovely seacoast rich in rockpools, greenstone, Hector's dolphins (the world's smallest dolphin) and occasionally New Zealand fur seals. Magnificent rimu, beech and kahikatea rainforest and a historic goldminer's path that traverses fern filled river gorges.

"Lake Moeraki Canoe Safari to Glacier Beach and The Giant Rimu Trees_: The lodge's nature guides give you instruction on how to manage the safe, stable, and small or large canoes. You then paddle upriver past tall rainforest to enter the shallow wetlands of Lake Moeraki.

ancient rainforest guided walk and canoe safari to the lower moeraki river and the tasman seacoast_:

Option A: Easy - Canoe the Moeraki Lagoon: Nature guides take you on a 30 minute walk down the valley through giant rainforest trees, past some historic cottages and across freshwater springs and wetland moss forest. At the Moeraki lagoon the canoes and life jackets are waiting, and you jump in to paddle down river beneath the forest and out into the Moeraki lagoon.

Option B: Moderate to difficult- Canoe the Moeraki Rapids: _This trip is only suitable for people who are fit/experienced canoeists/good swimmers. Although the rapids are easy, trees in the river create some challenges. The nature guides instruct you in down river canoeing in front of the wilderness Lodge. You practice navigation and procedures for descent. Upon reaching the Tasman beaches, you walk to the Tasman seacoast where you enjoy refreshments and fossick for gemstones, shells and driftwood and look for Hector's dolphin, the world's smallest.

the moeraki mountains, historic south westland pack track, moeraki rapids and blue hut

The Moeraki valley was the last valley in South Westland to be accessed by road in 1965. Prior to this the only way south to Haast by land followed a historic track at the foot of the mountains. On this excursion, you drive 8 km up the valley to begin the walk. The track crosses a series of small streams as the noise of the Moeraki rapids grows louder. Upon reaching these spectacular rapids, you cross on a high swingbridge then walk for 15 minutes to Blue Hut where you can enjoy lunch before a roaring fire, or, if the weather is fair, you can lunch al fresco beside a huge pool in the Moeraki River.

trout fishing

The lake and rivers have good numbers of brown trout and in March & April Quinnat Salmon. The lodge has basic rods with lures but NO fly-fishing equipment. Local guides can be arranged with notice but please check with the lodge if fishing is to be the focus of your stay at Late Moeraki. You cannot fish in front of the Lodge where its giant tame brown trout live.

insider tips

What to bring: The Lodge is open all year round and the climate is characterised by little wind, mild temperatures and lots of sunshine hours, even though the annual rainfall is high (3500 mm / 160 inches per annum). Every 3 or 4 days brings a burst of intense nor-west rain followed by clear, calm weather. Bring lightweight rain gear and good sturdy shoes/boots if you want to make the most of the walks.

When to visit: The lodge's busiest season is from December to March. April to October is a quieter time to visit with settled clear weather and a mild coastal winter. There is all-year round fishing and seal spotting. Fiordland Crested penguins are best spotted from August to early December. At any time of the year you can delight in the orchids, ferns, ancient trees and birds of the rainforest.

Sustainability

aims

The primary idea behind the lodge is to show that nature protection through tourism provides a more sustainable future for remote rural communities than does destructive logging of ancient rainforest. As a small country New Zealand is very dependent for its economic survival on the export of farm and forestry produce. Nature protection in New Zealand has therefore traditionally been seen as being in conflict with economic development. The lodge's owners want to demonstrate that nature tourism and community development can occur together while at the same time fostering nature and wildlife protection.

The lodge and its owners are actively involved in protecting New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage. The owners are members of the NZ Nature Network and the Forest and Bird Society.

The Royal Forest and Bird Society is NZ's largest and most active environmental group with 40,000 members nationwide and a 10,000 strong children's Kiwi Conservation Club. Lodge owner Dr Gerry McSweeney is currently the National President of Forest and Bird.

the lodge

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki has been carefully developed and landscaped within a grass clearing in the rainforest alongside Lake Moeraki and the Moeraki rapids. It has been designed for protection from floods and landscaped with local rocks. Planting around the lodge is designed to showcase the special native plants of the lowland New Zealand rainforest. The lodge has made extensive use of local stone (columns, facings), plaster and plantation-grown framing wood. Double-glazing on all the rooms conserves energy, as do energy efficient light fittings throughout.

Tables at the lodge are made from slow growing native timbers (Rimu Dacrydium cupressinum) but no trees were harmed in obtaining these. They were salvaged from the 100ft. deep bottom of nearby Lake Brunner. Here they had been submerged for 100 years, having come from a timber rafting operation across the lake.

The lodge's external vertical exposed beams are of 1000-year-old silver pine. This ancient slow growing native tree was used for power and telephone poles for 50 years - the lodge salvaged them from the local telephone company that was selling them for firewood!

energy

The lodge is off the main electricity grid, and generates electricity through its own 27kw low head hydro-electric turbine. Fully owned by the Lodge, this is one of New Zealand's most innovative electricity generation systems.

The system takes 3 cubic metres of water from the Moeraki River opposite the Lodge and then this drops 6 feet down through a Francis Turbine. The water is then returned to the Moeraki River 100 metres further downstream. The system is licensed under a 15 year Resource Consent granted to the lodge by the West Coast Regional Council. This was issued in early 2005 after extensive negotiations and agreement from local Maori people, the West Coast Fish and Game organisation and the Department of Conservation.

The lodge commissioned a scientific report on the environmental impact of the hydro scheme on native fish. This concluded that there was little impact, but to minimise even this small impact the lodge uses a fish trap to capture and release above the dam any fish unable to climb up through the hydro system. This fish trap is serviced daily.

water

Water for the lodge is taken from nearby spring streams - New Zealand's natural mountain water systems are of very high quality with no human inhabitants in the catchment of the lodge's water sources.

waste

The lodge is located near deep beds of alluvial gravel with free draining characteristics and a deep water table. A 3-stage septic tank system at each Lodge flows into an extensive gravel bed infiltration system.

Organic food waste is reused by feeding all suitable waste to pigs. Aluminium and plastic are recycled and glass is eco-banked. Cardboard is recycled and re-used where possible.

wildlife

The lodge's owners focus on enhancing the wildlife through controlling their introduced predators (rats, stoats, feral cats, possums, hares), all of which destroy the indigenous wildlife. New Zealand has no native mammals except for two small bats. Almost all the mammals that have been introduced by humans in the last 700 years have been disastrous for native birds. Half of NZ's native land bird species of 700 years ago are now extinct. Half of the surviving species of land bird are threatened or endangered. Educating New Zealanders and lodge visitors about the importance of this conservation work is a key component of the lodge's nature education work.

community

The lodge owners are committed conservationists that are energetically involved with numerous conservation projects in New Zealand.

The lodge employs largely locals, and estimates that approximately 25% of its annual profits are annually donated to the protection of nature in New Zealand.

Getting There

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki is in South Westland in the South Island of New Zealand. The Lodge is located alongside State Highway 6. It is 30km north of the small township of Haast and 90km south of Fox Glacier township. It is an easy 300km (90 miles) 4 hour drive from Greymouth or Queenstown (Wanaka 2 hrs, 180km) near which are airports, rental car facilities and daily bus services to the Lodge. The Tranz Alpine train arrives in Greymouth from Christchurch/Arthur's Pass at 1.30pm each day. It is then a 4-hour drive to Lake Moeraki. It is faster and more direct to drive from Arthur's Pass to Lake Moeraki rather than train/drive.

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki is a 370km (230 mile) comfortable 6 hour drive from Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps. You should plan to leave the Lodge by 9am to give yourself an hour or two at the Glaciers en route. If you have time, stay at least a couple of nights at each Wilderness Lodge to experience the full range of what the South Island has to offer.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

high season (1 oct - 30 apr)

rainforest room:

Double: NZ$360 (US$282) p/per

Single: NZ$475 (US$372) p/per

riverview room:

Double: NZ$490 (US$384) p/per

Single: NZ$690 (US$540) p/per

low season (1 may - 30 sep)

rainforest room:

Double: NZ$290 (US$227) p/per

Single: NZ$380 (US$297) p/per

riverview room:

Double: NZ$390 (US$305) p/per

Single: NZ$590 (US$462) p/per

• A NZ$69 (US$53) surcharge per person added on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and January 2.
• Child Rates (2-12 years). Half adult rate when sharing a room with two adults.
• A 2 night minimum stay is required for all guests arriving between 20th December - 1st March.
• Please note the US$ rate will vary slightly, prices are for exchange rate in June '07
• Rates valid from 1 Aug 07 - 30 Sep 09

• Rates are per person per night unless otherwise stated
• Government tax of 12.5% is included.
• Accommodation in either 24 Rainforest Rooms These are spacious with rainforest views. They have either a king-sized bed or a queen-sized bed and a single bed. All have private bathrooms with showers, tea/coffee making facilities, phones, walking poles, fresh fruit and flowers and are serviced daily. Or Accommodation in 4 Riverview Rooms These are spacious and their great views overlook the Moeraki Rapids. They have super-King beds, spa baths, riverbank sundecks and deckchairs, tea/coffee making facilities, phones, walking poles, personal life jackets, fresh fruit, flowers and are serviced daily.
• Restaurant Dinner - The dinner menu changes daily and offers several choices including vegetarian options.
• Full Breakfast - The continental and home-style cooked country breakfast is served in our restaurant while your client's plan their day of activities.
• Guided Nature Activities - complimentary daily-guided programme consists of two shorter guided activities (1 to 11/2 hours). Activities include rainforest, bird and tree fern walks, freshwater life/giant eel feeding, canoe instruction on the river and lake, night sky/ glowworm walk and historical talks.
• Forest and Lake Access - There is a network of short and long walks from the Lodge to suit all fitness levels. From the Lodge the beautiful Monro Beach Rainforest Walk leads to the Tasman seacoast. Other local walks include the Lakeside and Lower Moeraki/Giant Rimu walks. Further afield are the Ship Creek rainforest and seacoast walks (12km) and the Upper Moeraki Valley track to Blue Hut (7km). In front of the Lodge is a fleet of kayaks and canoes (with life jackets) for guest use. There is Tawaki/Fiordland Crested Penguin viewing (July to early December).

Recommended Minimum Stay: 2 - 3 nights: The lodge is happy to accept guests for one-night stays although encourages visitors to stay for 2-3 nights to really appreciate all that the lodge and surroundings has to offer.

booking & cancellation policy

• A deposit of 40% is required to secure a booking.
• Cancellation any time before 30 days prior to arrival will result in a cancellation fee of 10%.
• Cancellation within 30 days of arrival will forfeit the entire deposit.
• Full tariff is payable if cancellation is made within 7 days of arrival.

We recommend you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy so you are covered in the event of loss of deposit or holiday payment through cancellation, as well as for personal belongings and health.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.