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Discover wilderness in comfort and style at New Zealand's premier nature lodge. Established by dedicated conservationists, Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki offers an experience like no other. Walk from your room into a natural paradise of ancient rainforest, kayak pristine lakes and explore rugged coastline. Enjoy fresh local food, fine wine, and warm hospitality. Join naturalist guides to discover spectacular wild landscape and search for penguins, seals, and other rare wildlife in the heart of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Qualmark.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Location
State Highway 6 30 km north of Haast, Lake Moeraki, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7842 New Zealand
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We had a lovely two-night stay at Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki, which is a sister to the Wilderness Lodge at Arthurs Pass. Really friendly staff throughout. The rooms are spacious and the food is delicious. The lodge is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The cost (which admittedly is pretty significant, especially in the smarter rooms) includes complimentary short walks or other activities in the morning or evening, one of which was a short walk to feed the local long-finned eels! There are also are more distant daily activities at additional cost - such as a half day excursion to see the local fjordland crested penguins. We also took advantage of the complimentary clothes washing and drying facilities.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My two friends and I just spent a few days at the Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moreraki in New Zealand. When my friend suggested it to me, I was worried that we would be sleeping in the wild in a musty old cabin. Boy was I wrong. What a peaceful, comfortable and educational retreat from everyday life. The owners Anne and Gerry happily welcomed us into their world. And I am so grateful for that! These two are the perfect combination for this well run establishment. The lodge is beautifully decorated and filled with interesting rocks, shells and artifacts to look at. Anne prepared us hot brewed teas, French press coffees, and made sure we were well fed and comfortable. The food prepared by a French chef and a pastry chef was top notch. The homemade breads, and deserts were amazing. The cabins were extremely comfortable and maid service was included. I never slept so well. Gerry was the most knowledgeable and interesting tour guide. His stories and facts about this area kept us enthralled. He could name every bird, plant, or tree we encountered. There is a well stocked library to borrow a book if you feel the need to read. Gerry took my friends kayaking and all of us went hiking together. Though I’m sure it was Anne who packed us the tea, coffee and snacks to enjoy along the way. Gerry is a wealth of knowledge that he is willing to share. And then there is the environment… this area is like a little peace of heaven. Fresh air, fresh clean water, birds chirping and Mother Nature enveloping you into her arms.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Kia ora Jeanette, Thanks for your comprehensive review. It's great to get feedback such as yours as we do work really hard to bring together all those aspects of the Wilderness Lodge experience that you highlighted here. We'd be delighted to host you again one day. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders & Gerry McSweeney
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My wife and I stayed in some beautiful places in NZ, but if we had to pick one to return to this would be it. in a remote corner of the South Island Gerry and Anne have created something quite remarkable. You get to explore the rainforest with a knowledgeable and passionate guide then enjoy good food with a superb wine list delivered by a friendly young staff. I have to mention the attention to detail that includes proper wooden coat hangers (are you listening Australia?) and a hotel laundry guests can actually use easily. And about those sandflies: I function as my wife's personal insect repellent and if i can be comfortable in socks, long trousers and a judicious application of Aerogard, you will be too.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Most rooms will look over grass lawns but if you spend much time in your room you're missing...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Kia ora Andrew6buch, Thanks for your review. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your Wilderness Lodge experience. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders & Gerry McSweeney
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We were really excited to stay at this lodge after reading all the positive reviews, however overall we were disappointed. The main issue, in my opinion, is that it's overpriced for the quality of the lodging and food that is available. We stayed in a rainforest room. The room itself was clean and the bed comfortable, however the furnishings are very dated and certainly not luxury as advertised. The bathroom in particular left a lot to be desired. It was an open bathroom with a shower that was completely open (no walls, no glass, no bathtub), just a flimsy curtain that you pulled around you, with the water draining into the floor that communicated with the rest of the bathroom. The shower water temperature would fluctuate from warm to very hot. Ordinarily I wouldn’t mind this if I knew this was what I was paying for. But at $500+ per person, per night, the furnishings don’t fit the cost. I would expect more luxury to be frank. Breakfast and dinner are included, but lunch is not (and costs $35 per person for a takeaway picnic), and alcohol and other beverages are also not included. The quality of the food was just ok. Portions were on the small side, and the flavour was minimal. The clientele is an older crowd, so if you are younger, bear this in mind. The activities that were included were fun, but again, not worth the high price tag. The other activities that cost extra also appeared extraordinarily overpriced! $180 per person to walk down to a beach to view penguins seemed excessive. We took the free walk down to nearby Monroe beach and saw a few penguins on our own, for free. The hosts were very nice and clearly care about their property and put a lot into making it eco friendly, which is fantastic, however the host also tended to make jibs against us (we are Canadian). Making a joke once at someone’s expense I can understand, but he did this several times which we found odd. Had the price been $500 per night, rather than per person, and actually “all inclusive”, it would be more reasonable and in line with what you are actually getting.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 1 Dec 2023
Kia ora Sarahkilbertus2018, Thanks for sharing a review with the TripAdvisor community. We pleased you enjoyed the setting and the nature- friendly elements of your stay. We are sorry that overall your experience didn't match expectations. We pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive experience involving great accommodation, food and nature discovery so it's disappointing to have fallen short on this occasion.Apologies if our humour missed the mark - we love hosting Canadians (and all nationalities)! We would point out that our guided penguin discovery trips are a highlight for many guests. The experience includes expert guides, comprehensive interpretation and the chance to visit unadvertised locations with up close viewing. Our pricing also incorporates access fees and a contribution to penguin conservation work. Those who choose to participate really value them. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders & Gerry McSweeney Owner-Managers
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Perfect! Lovely. Wonderful! Excellent! Would return. Nice beds, lovely river view, good breakfast, cooked to order, fruit of choice available, nice wine. I went for the penguin-viewing and they delivered. There is a fee because a guide is required, but you see penguins at a private and remote location. I love this place. Kudos to the owners, Gerry and Anne. What a superb facility they have developed. Victoria
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Go on every nature walk offered. Guides, Claire and James are friendly, smart, kind and helpful....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wilderness Lodge, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 8 Dec 2023
Kia ora Victoria, Thanks so much for sharing a review here. We appreciate hearing how much you enjoyed your time with us, the hospitality and the guided nature activities. Kind wishes, Anned Saunders and Gerry McSweeney Owner-Managers
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This property, and its sister Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass, are family owned and run by couples who are passionate about hospitality and ecology. At Lake Moeraki we kayaked among black swans, hiked at night to see glow worms and to learn the southern constellations, were fed superbly on excellent breakfasts and dinners, and felt privileged to be in this little visited stretch of the New Zealand coastline. Many of the outdoor activities are complementary, and more ambitious trips can be arranged by the owners. There was an unfailing sense of welcome and comfort. The rooms were large and well appointed, with lovely views across a meadow full of bunnies to a softly flowing river. Highest recommendation. (Note: all of this area of New Zealand is subject to a biting insect called sand flies, and this location is no exception.)
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 9 Jul 2023
Kia ora 9amberzephyr, Thanks for sharing your Wilderness Lodge experience. We appreciate hearing how much you enjoyed your time at both lodges and would be delighted to host you again in future. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders and Gerry McSweeney
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We stayed here as part of Backroads (adventure company) trip. The entire facility is beautiful with comfortable rooms, a very nice lounge area, excellent food, etc. A couple adds that make it even better for people like us on long trips…one was a laundry room! There are 2 washing machines and 2 dryers with an ironing board, folding table, etc. Another feature is the availability of raincoats and gum (mud) boots; we had a lot of rain on our trip so the gum boots (with good tread!) kept our feet dry as we walked the various paths nearby.
The real gem here is Gerry, the owner. He is a wealth of local knowledge and a key figure in the development of many of the conservation areas in the New Zealand. The hotel offers a variety of information talks and walks (you get this information on check-in) and they should not be ignored! We skipped Gerry’s discussion of his hydro-electric generation system and we were sorry we did. Fortunately we did some of the other events and the information he provided was enlightening and entertaining.
If I was on a trip throughout the South Island of New Zealand another time I would certainly stay here.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Ample parking.
Laundry soap provided.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Kia ora Ronm548, Thanks for sharing your experience. It is great to hear you got so much out of your stays at both Wilderness Lodges. We'd love to see you again one day. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders & Gerry McSweeney
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We spent two nights at the Wilderness Lodge and learned a great deal about the west coast of New Zealand, its rain forest, and its history, all thanks to Gerry and Ann who own the lodge and are dedicated to preserving the local habitat.
Our room was comfortable and came with breakfast and dinner. The food is OK and the staff is uniformly friendly.
Each day, Gerry and Ann offer free and paid activities, including rainforest walks, guided tours, kayaking, and evening star gazing.
Staying at Wilderness Lodge perfectly set up our drive along the west coast of the South Island.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Kia ora Max, Thanks for sharing your Wilderness Lodge experience here on TripAdvisor. We really appreciate it and are glad you enjoyed your time with us. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders & Gerry McSweeney
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I have been to the Wilderness Lodge before and it always exceeds my expectations. This time I was part of a small group doing a photography workshop with New Zealand Photography Workshops. The hosts, Anne and Gerry, go out of their way to ensure that your stay is both memorable, in terms of location, comfort and delicious food, and also, educative about the location and its flora and fauna. The highlight for me is the guided Tawaki penguin tour. Watching these beautiful animals in their natural habitat is fantastic.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 1 Dec 2023
Kia ora RosanneB844, Thanks for sharing your experience. We love welcoming returning guests and it is a pleasure to share our special corner of Aotearoa/New Zealand. We hope to see you again, Anne Saunders and Gerry McSweeney Owner-Managers
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Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki is set in a stunning native forest ecoscape beside the lake and peaceful Moeraki river outlet. Gerry, Anne and Darren were superb and attentive hosts over the five days we stayed there, taking us out to explore new highlights every day. Gerry is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and knowledgeable eco guides, and he bought the native forest, wildlife, beaches and history of the area to life for us. Our accomodation and the main lodge were great, kayaking on the river and lake was memorable and fun, and the food prepared for us each day by Kim was always first class. We cannot recommend Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki more highly to anyone who wants to experience South Westland’s unspoiled natural environment at its best.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Kia ora Compass28502414254, Thanks for your review - we really appreciate it. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders & Gerry McSweeney
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Anytime is a great time to visit the Wilderness Lodge, depending on what you want to see and do there. I believe they close in July-August for winter. But check. You could call and talk to the owners.
No there are no tv’s. It’s a wilderness lodge. There is a full library of assorted books to enjoy. The show is really outside, both day and night. During the day it’s hiking in the rainforest, identifying birds and plants, kayaking in the lake, and relaxing while
enjoying the clean air. At night there are glow worms, owls and other assorted nocturnal animals.
Usually we were so exhausted from our daytime fun, we didn’t even miss tv.
As for swimming, I think that you could swim in the crystal clear lake. It is clean enough to drink. It might be a bit cold, depending on when you visit.
This was my first visit to a wilderness lodge and now I’m spoiled. The bar is set so high not sure any other lodge could beat it.
I would email or call them about dropping in for a coffee. There are two trails on the grounds. One of which goes by the river. There is also an enormous pigeon that likes to perch in the small tree by the river in front of the breakfast room. However, you should try staying at least two nights to really experience the place. That way Gerry can take you out to see the glow worms in the bushes.
Hi. sorry i did not see your post. I can't comment on the price because i honestly don't remember but it is a beautiful place. elegant, relaxing, great atmosphere, and in the meantime you can spend some hours kayaking, hiking, bird watching or just hanging out in the lodge. the owners have some activities planned for each day ( glow worm watching at night), eel feeding, bird watching, etc) you might still be able to catch some pinguin watching from the beach off the resort . this place is a great stop in between destinations but make sure you give yourself some time to enjoy it . we loved it there
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand7 contributions12 helpful votes
Definitely contact Gerry or the lodge.There were none in February.The guided walks all seem to be out from the Lodge..some to the beach, some through forest.We only saw bird life like white egrets, but they were pretty special, and they were near the Lodge intself or Lake Moeraki..which is close and on one of their trails.
There are more places to choose from in the Lake Moeraki area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
wilderness lodge lake moeraki hotel lake moeraki
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast RegionWestland Tai Poutini National ParkLake Moeraki
NUMBER OF ROOMS
28
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