Wildwood Lodge
Central North Island
Sitting quietly beside Lake Rotoehu and overlooking its forest-fringed waters, Wildwood Lodge offers a restful, rejuvenating stay and excellent fishing. Close to the year-round trout fishing streams of the Central Plateau and 45 minutes from the rich coastal fishing of the Bay of Plenty, it’s a great place to stop over any time of year.
Hosts, Cath and Simon, offer a full lodge stay and guided fishing. Their hospitality is gracious and welcoming and Simon is a well-respected local fishing guide with a comprehensive knowledge of the fishing around the Rotorua and Urewera areas. Accommodation is in two luxurious rooms in the main house and a fantastic luxury garden cottage overlooking the lake. The lodge is an easy 15 minute drive from Rotorua airport, 25 minutes from Rotorua, an hour and a half from Taupo and three hours from Auckland.
There’s a golf course next door, pleasant walks and all of the thermal wonderland attractions of Rotorua just a short drive away. Soda Springs hot pools are nearby and there’s live and clay shooting available locally.
Accommodation:
there are two large, beautifully appointed suites in the main house – one upstairs and one down. Each opens on to a private deck overlooking the lake
the free-standing Garden Cottage is just a few metres from the main house but maintains a nice sense of isolation through its good design. It’s hard to beat waking in the morning and looking out across the lake while still in bed
the cottage has a comfortable living area, tea and coffee making, a baggage room, ample bathroom and lobby area. There’s also a private spa off the bedroom for late night soaks after a hard day’s fishing
The Main Lodge:
the main house has a large entertaining area complete with a big log fire and several dining spots
the lounge opens on to a lakefront deck with more dining options for warm summer days and early breakfasts
Cath runs a busy kitchen and caters for all her guests from the central open kitchen
pre-dinner drinks, canapes and dinner wines are included, and there’s a great selection of wines in the cellar to supplement these
the library is a quiet place to retreat to with an interesting selection of books and a guest laptop
helipad on site for easy arrivals and departures
The Fishing:
Wildwood is close to excellent brown and rainbow trout fishing. Some rivers are open all year round
there are over 30 rivers to choose from in summer, plus the lakes. Lake Rotorua is a fully wild fishery but nearby lakes are up to 70% stocked. All Simon’s fishing is for wild trout
the Rangitikei River offers the best winter fishing options and Simon also has some favourite spots in the remote, wild areas of Te Urewera National Park
Wildwood is also only 45 minutes from Whakatane, on the Bay of Plenty coast – a key coastal North Island fishing region
saltwater species include snapper and kingfish, trevally and terakihi. Volcanic White Island, in the centre of the Bay of Plenty, is well worth a boat trip to see. There’s also good fishing out there
Simon maintains a large tackle room of gear catering for sizes S to XXXOS, with a large selection of rods and reels as well
if you’re bringing your own rod, he recommends a five or six weight, a weight forward floating line and reel capable of holding 75 – 100 metres of backing
full day guided fishing – $NZ 1,150 for 1-2 people; licence extra $35 per day
heli-fishing rates – additional cost
Tariff:
Includes pre-dinner drinks, 3 course dinner, full breakfast, wines and beer (some wines are extra), wifi and use of loan fly fishing equipment and gear
lodge suites – double or twin room per night $NZ 1,350.00; single $NZ 1,100.00
garden cottage – double or twin rate per night $NZ 1,550.00; single $ NZ 1,350.00
bed and breakfast rate is available
children are welcome by prior arrangement
Cancellation fees may apply
Season:
Wildwood Lodge is open all year