Fiordland Lodge

Construction of Fiordland Lodge was not quite finished when I attended the Grand Opening in November 2002, so I returned in May to visit the finished lodge. Set in a World Heritage area the lodge offers comfort, privacy and one of the most spectacular views in New Zealand. Located high on a hill just outside of Te Anau, the lodge overlooks Lake Te Anau and the mountains of the Fiordland National Park.

The lodge offers ten double guest rooms furnished with king-size beds and fully appointed private bathrooms. High ceilings and a massive riverstone fireplace in the lounge create a warm and spacious environment in which guests mingle over cocktails. A commanding staircase leads to a mezzanine with a quiet library and fly tying bench.

Private and serene, the Lodge is a perfect hideaway for relaxation, or as a base for your Fiordland experience. Fiordland is world renowned for the quality of its fly fishing. The crystal clear unpolluted waters are managed as a wild fishery and produce good stocks of large Brown and Rainbow Trout.

Fiordland is known at the "walking capital of the world" with over 300 miles of trails through beautiful virgin forest and awe inspiring mountains. Lodge guests can elect to walk the world famous guided Milford, Routeburn, and Hollyford Tracks - or the one day Milford Track Encounter.

For those interested in bird watching Fiordland National Park and environs hosts a variety of native birds in alpine, forest, and wetland habitats. The area is home to many rare bird species including blue duck, kaka, mohu, falcon, fernbird and rock wren. Guided bird watching trips can be arranged by the Lodge.