Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
Our lodge operates under our 2006 wilderness lodge conservation and environment protection policy and operation plan. We are leaders in our community in the protection of nature through sensitive nature tourism. This has resulted in strong community support for protecting rainforests and wildlife. From initial opposition to forest protection in our area (the residents called a day of mourning when the World Heritage Site was announced in 1991) there has developed acceptance and even a degree of support 16 years on for this very large protected area.
We have worked to help the Department of Conservation develop public walking tracks and nature interpretation facilities in our local area (Monro Beach Walk, Ship Creek Walks, Hapuka Estuary Walk, Haast Visitor centre). This has also built support for nature protection amongst New Zealand people and overseas visitors.
We lead by example. Since the establishment of the lodge 18 years ago a range of other eco tourism businesses in our region and elsewhere in New Zealand have followed our lead and we have encouraged them to do this. We continue to provide a mentor role to many of these businesses.
We have inspired tens of thousands of lodge visitors over 18 years of operation with our passion for nature, wildlife and 'going easy on the earth'. We do not allow tourist helicopters or jet boats to operate from the lodge.
Visitors are inspired by the sympathetic architecture and landscaped surroundings, the great food, wine, hospitality and our enthusiasm for discovering and appreciating nature from the lodge. We have large numbers of return guests.
The forests/wildlife around the lodge have also benefited from the pest control efforts that we carry out and that are carried out by the Department of Conservation. These have received our strong and public support in the face of some controversy.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
