Wilderness Lodge - Moeraki

Spectacular beaches that are home to fur seals and crested penguins, untouched lowland rainforests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow-capped Southern Alps. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki in the heart of the 2.7 million hectares South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, Te Wahi Pounamu ( Maori translation: the place of greenstone jade).

The Lodge is landscaped in a lakeside clearing surrounded by 1,000 year old rainforest trees. It offers a high level of comfort in attractive Lodge rooms, all with private bathrooms. The lounges and restaurant provide panoramic views overlooking the lovely Moeraki rapids. A relaxed drink and meal in the tranquil Moeraki Lounge as you watch the river roll by, native birds and trout jumping is a wonderful tonic in a hectic world.
Radiating from the Lodge is a network of rainforest and Tasman seacoast walks. There is a fleet of canoes for you to explore Lake Moeraki and the Moeraki river. A team of guides from the Lodge will introduce you to crested penguins, fur seals, giant tame eels and New Zealand's unique birdlife and ancient forests.
West Coasters Dorothy Piper and Malcolm Edwards are the managers at Lake Moeraki and have a team of enthusiastic young New Zealanders keen to share their Wilderness with you. Anne and Gerry McSweeney still own Lake Moeraki and they visit frequently to help and keep in daily contact. They are now managing their new Wilderness Lodge at Arthur's Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps, a day's drive from Lake Moeraki.

One of the Lodge’s guided walks - the Historic Goldminers' Walk - traverses a gold-mining area south of the lodge which is rich in history as well as giant trees, kaka and parakeet native birds. The walk also takes guests along the wild beaches of the Cole Creek to Ship Creek coastline. There are old gold diggings here, fur seals, tiny Hector's Dolphins and magnificent sea stacks and coastal scenery.