The Lodges
High in wilderness country to the east of Lake Taupo, Poronui is one of New Zealand’s most well-known fishing lodges, and is rated one of the top 10 fishing lodges in the world by Forbes magazine. A favourite of passionate fishermen for its excellent brown and rainbow trout opportunities, it also attracts a lot of sporting hunters, and is a recognised wilderness retreat as well.
Poronui was the site of some of the earliest trout releases into NZ waters in the late 1800s. There is world-class brown and rainbow trout fishing on Poronui’s 40 kms (25 mi) of fishing rivers
Owen River Lodge is one of the best fishing lodges in New Zealand to stay if you’re passionate about fishing for brown trout, with a fabulous number of rivers and streams within an easy drive. The boutique lodge is small and intimate, with a maximum of 12 guests at any one time.
Accommodation is in six beautifully appointed garden cottages, each with a view of the Owen River valley and nearby granite escarpments of the Kahurangi National Park. The fishing for brown trout is superb.
Blanket Bay is the cherry on the cake as far as South Island fishing lodges go. Situated on a commanding site at the top end of beautiful Lake Wakatipu it enjoys spectacular alpine views and is surrounded by high mountains and deep rugged valleys. The fishing is excellent, with wild brown and rainbow trout and salmon in the lake and nearby rivers.
The lodge is 45 minutes from Queenstown, which is also the nearest airport. In addition to fly-fishing and heli-fishing there is also hiking, skiing and horse riding nearby and the highly regarded Otago wineries are just an hour’s drive away.
Set in a stunning corner of the country, on the edge of the Fiordland National Park and overlooking mysterious Lake Te Anau, Fiordland Lodge is a gem. The fishing is also exceptional, with plenty of brown and rainbow trout in the nearby rivers and streams.
The lodge’s chosen guides can take you to fish on any of the 40 local rivers and when you’ve fished enough you can head out into the national park and explore. Fiordland National Park is now part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, which also includes nearby Westland and Aoraki-Mount Cook National Parks – all stunning parts of the country.
Tongariro Lodge oozes history and heritage. Having celebrated its 30th anniversary several years ago, it is one of the country’s most iconic fishing lodges, drawing on these years of experience to offer you a great fishing stay.
The lodge is open all year to make the most of the rainbow and brown trout that patrol the river, and in the 40 other nearby rivers and four lakes. Rainbow trout have an open season all year in the lower river reaches and the lake and brown trout can be fished October to May. It’s a fisherman’s dream.
Minaret Station is everything you could want in a remote fishing lodge. You can’t drive there, or reach it by boat. You can’t drop in by fixed wing plane, or realistically even walk there. But you can arrive by helicopter, as everyone else does. Until a few years ago the accommodation here was in luxuriously appointed tented cabins, but these have now been replaced by equally luxurious mountain chalets.
All fishing at Minaret Station is heli-fishing, and there are also drive-out guide fishing options available from Queenstown and Wanaka. Minaret Station allows access to world-class river fishing for brown and rainbow trout, and a short season of salmon fishing as well
Tucked away down a 2.5 km (1.5 mi) private road, Stonefly Lodge is hidden from the world like a magical 5-star secret. It is also barely more than a long-armed throw from the famous Motueka River and all its magnificent fishing for brown trout.
The lodge has four simply but beautifully appointed guest rooms, all with wide views across the river valley and nearby Kahurangi National Park. All power is generated on site and the lodge has been applauded for its sensitive environmental development and sustainability policy.
The Motueka River is renowned for its trout with some of the country’s highest trout populations; recent drift dives indicate populations of 100-500 trout per kilometre.
The Lindis is a brand new kid on the block – a stunning, contemporary luxury lodge right in the heart of fly fishing country in New Zealand’s South Island.
The Ahuriri River is one of the country’s iconic fishing rivers, with excellent fishing for trout in the season. And The Lindis sits right at the centre, with conservation areas on three sides. So not only are you close to some of the best fly fishing around, but also perfect hiking, horse-riding, e-biking, mountain biking and ecotours. And the intensely clear, dark sky means you are also able to enjoy incredible star-gazing in the late evening.
Solitaire Lodge, on the shores of Lake Tarawera near Rotorua, is a fabulous place to use as a base for a fly fishing stay, with options available almost all year round. The position is commanding, with a wide view across Lake Tarawera and the volcanic mountains beyond.
The area is dotted with gorgeous lakes and laced with trout-bearing rivers, so there are options to fish all year round – this central North Island area is one of the few places in New Zealand with great winter fishing. In summer there are countless places to cast a line, from serious wilderness fishing adventures in the nearby national park to less demanding lake-based fishing from a boat.
Right beside the famous Tongariro River, River Birches is an architecturally acclaimed boutique luxury lodge in the heart of Zane Grey country. It is also just minutes from Lake Taupo, one of New Zealand’s largest lakes and a place of great significance to local Maori.
This contemporary boutique lodge offers 5-star accommodation in three guest rooms and a self-contained luxury cottage in the grounds. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, its setting draws in many native birds, while just out the window the river has fine rainbow and brown trout to draw the keen angler.
Huka Lodge has risen to be one of the noted resorts of the world. But amid all the luxury and glamour that goes with that, the world-class trout fishing hasn’t changed. You can still don a pair of waders, throw a rod over your shoulder and head off for some of the best trout fishing available – anywhere. This is because Huka Lodge is only a 25 minute drive from the famed Tongariro River and close to great dry-fly fishing in the mountainous rivers to the east of Lake Taupo.
The accommodation, service and cuisine are unbeatable, and if privacy is an issue when you travel, then Huka Lodge will provide that too.
River Haven Lodge sits above the Mangles River near Murchison. It’s a fabulous location for fishermen with several other prolific trout rivers joining the Buller River nearby. It’s a great place to base yourself for a few days, or more, and enjoy some of the best brown trout fishing available anywhere.
The lodge is a 1 hour 40 minute drive south from the nearest airport in Nelson, or an easy helicopter flight if you prefer. Located just a few minutes from the small town of Murchison, River Haven Lodge is central to fabulous fly fishing and outdoor activities in the Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes national parks.
Eagles Nest is an elegant trail of sophisticated, contemporary villas strung across a Bay of Islands hillside. And there is plenty of fishing – this area is one of New Zealand’s premium game fishing playgrounds and the stories are legendary. Saltwater fly fishing, big game and deep sea fishing are all available with some of the country’s best skippers to get you out to all the fun.
Each villa is perfectly appointed, private and built to enjoy the commanding views of the bay with its 144 beautiful islands. Accommodation is in five free-standing villas, each villa having its own jacuzzi, large decks and fully equipped gourmet kitchen. The four larger villas also have private infinity lap pools.
Owned and operated by passionate fishing hosts Robin and John Gemmell, Riverview Lodge makes the most of its location in magnificent brown trout country. There are beautiful mountain views, fast flowing rivers and wide open spaces all around. With only 4 bedrooms the lodge is small enough to be booked exclusively for an extended family or group of friends.
There are many fishing rivers and streams to choose from and the guides watch these so they can source great new fishing spots after high water levels recede following rain. There are still trout up to 5kgs (10lb) in these rivers and, as with so many other places in New Zealand, the sighted fishing is excellent.
Treetops Lodge & Estate near Rotorua is a deliciously luxurious escape in the middle of 2,500 acres of native forest and game reserve, roughly 15 kilometres from Rotorua and a two hour drive south of Auckland.
Treetops is known for both its trout and saltwater fishing, being close to the central lakes and rivers, but only an hour from the deep sea fishing grounds of the Bay of Plenty. Locally there are 13 trout fishing lakes and 60 streams and rivers, and it’s an easy drive to the famed Tongariro River. Fishing for brown and rainbow trout is by fly, boat and spin fishing. There are also small numbers of brook and tiger trout. The nearby Bay of Plenty has some great game and saltwater sport fishing.
Cedar Lodge sits in a small corner of a very big valley, deep in the mountains of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s close to Mt Aspiring National Park, and a 90 minute drive from the nearest major airport at Queenstown. And it has some of the best fishing for brown and rainbow trout that you will find anywhere.
Cedar Lodge offers world-class fly fishing, delicious food and a stunning setting. Daily rates include heli-fishing so there is no need to think about how many days to book a chopper during your stay – every day is a chopper day at Cedar Lodge. They hold one of only a few concessions to fish in the Mt Aspiring National Park, and also offer heli-hiking into this same unique World Heritage area.
Less than an hour by water taxi from Picton, Bay of Many Coves Resort is a gorgeous place to enjoy some great sea fishing, delicious cuisine and let yourself and your partner or friends be thoroughly pampered.
Apartments are stacked across a hillside above the sea, overlooking the beautiful Bay of Many Coves. These labyrinthine waterways are quite gorgeous on a calm day, but even if the weather isn’t cooperating there will usually be a quiet spot where you can still get in a good day’s fishing, protected from the wind and swell in the internal waterways. Fishing is provided by quality local charter boats with blue cod, terakihi, snapper, kahawai and gurnard in the inshore waters and the possibility of grouper (hapuka) as you get out towards Cook Strait.
Tui Lodge is a quick 10 minute walk from one of the top North Island trout rivers, the mighty Tongariro. And although the summer fishing is awesome, Tui Lodge also provides excellent winter fly fishing with memorable spawning runs of wild rainbow trout.
This purpose-built family-run luxury B&B provides a very comfortable stay in a modern home, surrounded by an impressive garden. Sitting at the southern end of Lake Taupo, Turangi isn’t a big place, but it’s a world-class fishing destination. And Tui Lodge provides an excellent modest-priced option for those not able, or wanting, to stay in a five-star lodge.
The classic architecture and landscaped gardens at Lake Taupo Lodge give this elegant property a timeless appeal and the chef-prepared meals, generous suites and compelling range of local activities make it a fantastic place to base a fishing trip when visiting the Taupo area.
Fly fishing in the area is world-class with both rainbow and brown trout for the taking. Remote wilderness rivers in the nearby Kaimanawa Ranges are a great place to fish for brown trout; while the closer rivers around Lake Taupo and the world-renowned Tongariro River are perfect for rainbow trout.
Book a Lodge or Fishing Stay
We’ll help you choose the most suitable lodge (or lodges), arrange your bookings, find your fishing guides and help get you there. We can book one lodge for you, or several – let us suggest an itinerary that will cover all your New Zealand lodge stays. When you book with us you will deal with real people throughout the process. We are New Zealanders, passionate about sharing our country with you.