Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki is situated in the South West Coast's World Heritage Area. Walking into the lounge I was overwhelmed by the splendor of the view from the windows. The Lodge is surrounded by 1,000 year old rainforest trees and overlooks the Moeraki rapids.

Owners Anne Saunders and Dr. Gerry McSweeney set up the lodge to help protect the rainforests and share this extraordinary natural setting with visitors. Radiating from the lodge is a network of rainforest and Tasman Sea coast walks. The guides from the lodge will introduce you to crested penguins, fur seals, giant eels, unique birdlife and ancient forests.

The comfortable accommodation includes rainforest rooms and superior river view rooms all beautifully furnished. After an exhausting but thrilling day out it was a pleasure to slide into one of the comfortable chairs in the Red Dog Saloon with a drink and watch the river roll by.

Meals are served in the Riverside Restaurant and include great wilderness food, whitebait from the river, seafood from the coast, game from the forest, accompanied by an excellent wine list.

The lodge, committed to the protection of the environment is an excellent example of New Zealand's Eco Tourism industry, not only in what it provides, but how it is provided.