Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Waitutu Forest Lodge is located in southern Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. It sits beside the Wairaurahiri River and close to the remote South Coast, surrounded by the ancient Waitutu podocarp forest.
What makes Waitutu Forest Lodge special?
Waitutu is special because it combines remote wilderness, Ngāi Tahu history, native forest, river access, coastal scenery and simple lodge accommodation in one place. It is positioned at the gateway to the Waitutu Forest, which is part of the largest area of lowland coastal forest in New Zealand and is recognised for its ecological importance.
What is the Waitutu Forest?
The Waitutu Forest is a dense podocarp forest on a series of uplifted marine terraces in Fiordland. The website describes it as part of the largest area of lowland coastal forest in New Zealand, with a mix of hardwood, podocarp and beech forest and a high diversity of podocarps.
Is Waitutu Forest Lodge in Fiordland National Park?
Yes. Waitutu Forest Lodge is in Fiordland National Park, which is part of the wider Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage area.
How do you get to Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Waitutu Forest Lodge can be reached by helicopter, by jet boat, and on foot via the South Coast Track (unless the viaducts are closed for maintenance) The journey is part of the experience because the lodge is in a very remote part of southern Fiordland. Click here for more info.
Can you get to Waitutu Forest Lodge by helicopter?
Yes. Helicopter transfers are available with Fiordland Helicopters, with departures from Te Anau or Rarakau Carpark depending on arrangements. Helicopter access can be especially useful when river levels are too low for jet boat travel. Click here for more info.
Can you get to Waitutu Forest Lodge by jet boat?
Yes. Jet boat access is one of the signature ways to reach Waitutu. Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet and Wairaurahiri Jet as operatorshe. The Wairaurahiri is a dramatic route through remote Fiordland. Click here for more info.
Is Waitutu Forest Lodge remote?
Yes. Remote is one of the defining features of the lodge. The property is in one of the most spectacular and remote locations in the South Island, with the Wairaurahiri River, the South Coast and the surrounding forest all shaping the sense of isolation and wilderness.
What accommodation does Waitutu Forest Lodge offer?
The lodge has six bedrooms and sleeping for20 guests, with mattresses, pillows and duvets provided. The lodge also has a kitchen and dining area with gas cooking, utensils and crockery, plus hot showers, flush toilets, a bath and a drying cupboard. Click here for more info.
Does Waitutu Forest Lodge have hot showers and a kitchen?
Yes. The lodge has hot showers, flush toilets, a bath, and a well-equipped kitchen and dining room with gas cooking, a fridge, utensils and crockery.
Is Waitutu Forest Lodge quality accommodation?
Yes, Waitutu is warm, comfortable and unique wilderness accommodation. The emphasis is on remoteness, nature, history and experience, with practical lodge facilities that support walking, fishing, relaxing and exploring.
What can you do at Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Guests can enjoy short forest walks, beach walks, stargazing, fishing, hiking and relaxing in a remote natural setting. The lodge is also a base for hunting, with hunting permits issued at the lodge for relevant activities.
Click here for more info.
Are there short walks at Waitutu?
Yes. There are many short walks from the lodge ranging from about 10 minutes to two hours. Examples include the Swing Bridge walk and the Triangle walk, which takes about an hour and links the coast and forest. Click here for more info.
Can you go stargazing at Waitutu?
Yes. Stargazing is one of the experiences with the beach and big southern sky adding to the appeal of staying in such a remote part of Fiordland.
Can you fish at Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Yes. The lodge is promoted as a base for fishing, with guests able to try their luck in the river or at the sea.
Can you hunt at Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Hunting is one of the activities. It's as a place where red deer and pigs may be hunted with the appropriate permit on public conservation land. Anyone planning to hunt should check current permit rules and access conditions before travelling.
What is the history of Waitutu?
The Waitutu story is closely linked to Ngāi Tahu and the South Island Landless Natives Act 1906. The land between the Wairaurahiri River and the Waitutu River was allocated to groups of Ngāi Tahu descendants, and in 1972 the Waitutu Incorporation was formed to administer the land as one block. In 1996, a Deed of Settlement helped protect the Waitutu podocarp forest from clear felling. Click here for more info.
Who owns Waitutu Forest Lodge?
The lodge is associated with Waitutu Incorporation, which was formed to administer the Waitutu land on behalf of its owners. The brochure also notes that the owners of Waitutu Incorporation welcome guests to the lodge. Click here for more info.
Is Waitutu suitable for people wanting a real New Zealand wilderness experience?
Yes. Waitutu is well suited to travellers looking for remote accommodation in Fiordland, native forest, South Coast scenery, walking, wildlife, and a sense of being far from busy tourist centres. The lodge is a unique wilderness experience.
How do I book Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Yes you can! Click here to book online! You can also book the entire lodge.
Who is Waitutu Forest Lodge ideal for?
Waitutu suits travellers who enjoy remote places, small groups, walking, fishing, simple shared lodge accommodation, and meaningful nature-based experiences. It is a good fit for people who want something authentic and off the beaten track.
Waitutu Forest Lodge is located in southern Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. It sits beside the Wairaurahiri River and close to the remote South Coast, surrounded by the ancient Waitutu podocarp forest.
What makes Waitutu Forest Lodge special?
Waitutu is special because it combines remote wilderness, Ngāi Tahu history, native forest, river access, coastal scenery and simple lodge accommodation in one place. It is positioned at the gateway to the Waitutu Forest, which is part of the largest area of lowland coastal forest in New Zealand and is recognised for its ecological importance.
What is the Waitutu Forest?
The Waitutu Forest is a dense podocarp forest on a series of uplifted marine terraces in Fiordland. The website describes it as part of the largest area of lowland coastal forest in New Zealand, with a mix of hardwood, podocarp and beech forest and a high diversity of podocarps.
Is Waitutu Forest Lodge in Fiordland National Park?
Yes. Waitutu Forest Lodge is in Fiordland National Park, which is part of the wider Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage area.
How do you get to Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Waitutu Forest Lodge can be reached by helicopter, by jet boat, and on foot via the South Coast Track (unless the viaducts are closed for maintenance) The journey is part of the experience because the lodge is in a very remote part of southern Fiordland. Click here for more info.
Can you get to Waitutu Forest Lodge by helicopter?
Yes. Helicopter transfers are available with Fiordland Helicopters, with departures from Te Anau or Rarakau Carpark depending on arrangements. Helicopter access can be especially useful when river levels are too low for jet boat travel. Click here for more info.
Can you get to Waitutu Forest Lodge by jet boat?
Yes. Jet boat access is one of the signature ways to reach Waitutu. Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet and Wairaurahiri Jet as operatorshe. The Wairaurahiri is a dramatic route through remote Fiordland. Click here for more info.
Is Waitutu Forest Lodge remote?
Yes. Remote is one of the defining features of the lodge. The property is in one of the most spectacular and remote locations in the South Island, with the Wairaurahiri River, the South Coast and the surrounding forest all shaping the sense of isolation and wilderness.
What accommodation does Waitutu Forest Lodge offer?
The lodge has six bedrooms and sleeping for20 guests, with mattresses, pillows and duvets provided. The lodge also has a kitchen and dining area with gas cooking, utensils and crockery, plus hot showers, flush toilets, a bath and a drying cupboard. Click here for more info.
Does Waitutu Forest Lodge have hot showers and a kitchen?
Yes. The lodge has hot showers, flush toilets, a bath, and a well-equipped kitchen and dining room with gas cooking, a fridge, utensils and crockery.
Is Waitutu Forest Lodge quality accommodation?
Yes, Waitutu is warm, comfortable and unique wilderness accommodation. The emphasis is on remoteness, nature, history and experience, with practical lodge facilities that support walking, fishing, relaxing and exploring.
What can you do at Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Guests can enjoy short forest walks, beach walks, stargazing, fishing, hiking and relaxing in a remote natural setting. The lodge is also a base for hunting, with hunting permits issued at the lodge for relevant activities.
Click here for more info.
Are there short walks at Waitutu?
Yes. There are many short walks from the lodge ranging from about 10 minutes to two hours. Examples include the Swing Bridge walk and the Triangle walk, which takes about an hour and links the coast and forest. Click here for more info.
Can you go stargazing at Waitutu?
Yes. Stargazing is one of the experiences with the beach and big southern sky adding to the appeal of staying in such a remote part of Fiordland.
Can you fish at Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Yes. The lodge is promoted as a base for fishing, with guests able to try their luck in the river or at the sea.
Can you hunt at Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Hunting is one of the activities. It's as a place where red deer and pigs may be hunted with the appropriate permit on public conservation land. Anyone planning to hunt should check current permit rules and access conditions before travelling.
What is the history of Waitutu?
The Waitutu story is closely linked to Ngāi Tahu and the South Island Landless Natives Act 1906. The land between the Wairaurahiri River and the Waitutu River was allocated to groups of Ngāi Tahu descendants, and in 1972 the Waitutu Incorporation was formed to administer the land as one block. In 1996, a Deed of Settlement helped protect the Waitutu podocarp forest from clear felling. Click here for more info.
Who owns Waitutu Forest Lodge?
The lodge is associated with Waitutu Incorporation, which was formed to administer the Waitutu land on behalf of its owners. The brochure also notes that the owners of Waitutu Incorporation welcome guests to the lodge. Click here for more info.
Is Waitutu suitable for people wanting a real New Zealand wilderness experience?
Yes. Waitutu is well suited to travellers looking for remote accommodation in Fiordland, native forest, South Coast scenery, walking, wildlife, and a sense of being far from busy tourist centres. The lodge is a unique wilderness experience.
How do I book Waitutu Forest Lodge?
Yes you can! Click here to book online! You can also book the entire lodge.
Who is Waitutu Forest Lodge ideal for?
Waitutu suits travellers who enjoy remote places, small groups, walking, fishing, simple shared lodge accommodation, and meaningful nature-based experiences. It is a good fit for people who want something authentic and off the beaten track.
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Waitutu Forest Lodge
Email: [email protected] Phone Lodge Manager: +64 (0)21 337 448 Waitutu Incorporation Main Office Ashton Wheelans Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 03 366 7154 |
Tiaki means to care for people, place and culture.
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Waitutu Lodge is 4 Star Qualmark Silver accredited
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