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Lake Rotoroa Lodge

South Island
1 Hour SW of Nelson


Lake Rotoroa Lodge is located on the far northern tip of the south island west of the city of Nelson. It is hard to imagine a more charming, historical, luxurious, and hospitable traditional fishing lodge. While the vast fishing area surrounding the Nelson Lakes National Park region of the South Island is world renowned for its classic Kiwi brown trout fishing, Lake Rotoroa Lodge offers Ritz-Carlton style accommodation and service. The Victorian style lodge structure originally built by a fishing club in the 1920s has been updated with modern amenity, but still maintains its old world charm. With stunning bedrooms adorned with luxurious amenities, amazing cuisine, and an extensive wine cellar, Lake Rotoroa Lodge appeals to anglers looking for the most “high end” experience New Zealand has to offer.


Anglers have access to over three dozen rivers in the Nelson Lakes region both by four wheel drive and helicopter. The Rotoroa guides are some of the industry’s most respected & most experienced in the Southern Alps. Like all fishing in New Zealand, the fishing in the region is mainly for large brown trout. Stalking, spotting, and sight casting to individual fish is the normal drill when chasing large Kiwi browns that often exceed ten pounds. This style of fishing, although technical is without question the most rewarding.

The lodge has an excellent selection of fishing tackle and equipment available for guests use, including over 40 rods from Sage and Thomas & Thomas, all with lines and reels, etc.; large numbers of Simms Gore-Tex waders in both men's and woman's sizes and boots to go with them. This allows our guests to come to the lodge with only a rain jacket and they can enjoy their fishing in comfort with first class equipment. In turn this means that they do not have to drag their fishing equipment around New Zealand with them for the sake of a few days fishing.


Lake Rotoroa definitely qualifies as one of New Zealand's luxury lodges. While the lodge's facilities can certainly accommodate the most discerning guests seeking five star and high thread count, the accommodations of the antique structure are very tasteful and appropriate for any type of guest.

The service at the lodge rivals that of the Four Seasons, and the food and drink offered is spectacular and professionally served. You will get turn down service and the mint on your pillow, but you will also enjoy quality Kiwi hospitality from genuine staff. Meals are usually a large, multi-course production with wines selected from the lodge's private cellar. Each guests is given his or her own locker to store wet waders and fishing gear on the back porch.

The lodge is laid out similar to an "old school" hotel with rooms lining the second floor of the structure. Fresh coffee and tea are always available in the main hallway, and the entire lodge is decorated with sporting art, mounted trophies, and ancient photographs of previous guests dating back to the turn of the century. Although equipped with all the modern amenities, guests truly enjoy the charm of the historic building at Lake Rotoroa Lodge.

The landscape and grounds overlooking the lake are flawlessly manicured, and the sunset views from the porch or patio are stunning. It is hard to imagine a more lovely setting to launch a trout fishing expedition that does not compare.


Guests with Riverview Lodge take an overnight flight from the U.S. to Auckland, New Zealand. Travelers lose a day crossing the international dateline en route and connect on to Nelson, New Zealand the morning of arrival. From Nelson, guests are transferred by air-conditioned vehicle approximately one hour to the lodge. Inversely, guests follow the same route on the way home, only to regain the lost day after re-crossing the dateline and arrive back into the U.S. on the same day of departure.


Day 1:
Depart United States for Auckland - usually via Air New Zealand

Day 2:
Arrive Auckland (Lose a day crossing the international dateline). Depart Auckland with Air New Zealand for the city of Nelson on the South Island. Upon arrival in Christchurch, guests are be met by a representative from Lake Rotoroa Lodge and driven approximately one hour to the lodge. Overnight and begin fishing the following day.

Day 3 - 7:
Fishing Days!

Departure Day:
After a leisurely morning at the lodge, and perhaps some sightseeing in the Hanmer Springs area, guests are transferred back to Nelson airport for the flight back to Auckland. Guests can also spend the morning touring one of the regions beautiful wineries. Travelers make a simple connection Auckland for the overnight flight back to the U.S.A. (Travelers will gain a day re-crossing the International Dateline).


Trout fishing in New Zealand is generally has a season of October 1st through April 31st. A small number of streams available to fish do not open until November 1st, however there is still some excellent fishing to be had during October.

Good fishing can be had throughout the season, so there is really no “best” time to visit New Zealand. October until December can be unsettled spring weather, however New Zealand’s oceanic climate can have weather of all seasons any time of the year. Spring fishing in October or November can oftentimes be the best of the season if you receive a warm spell, especially as most trout have not seen an angler in over six months of closed season. Early January is when the majority of New Zealanders go on summer holiday, so many tourist areas are crowded and anglers are most likely to run into other fishermen or experience more wary trout. However, the weather and conditions are typically most pleasant during the summer months of December – February with warmer temperatures and longer days. March and April are also excellent months for taking perhaps the biggest fish of the season and a little cooler weather than the peak summer months.

The following are some very basic generalizations to keep in mind…

• The most trout are often caught when the weather and water is cooler
October – Christmas and March – April

• The best conditioned trout are caught in the late season prior to spawning
End of February – April

• Surface activity with dry flies and terrestrials is best in summer
December – March


Rotoroa’s location on the northern end of the South Island is the ideal staging ground for other outdoor adventures throughout the most gorgeous countryside on earth. The lodge can assist in organizing non-angling tours, hikes, winery visits, golfing, massage and spa treatments, horseback riding, excursions to the west coast or the City of Nelson, and much more.


NOTE: RATES ARE QUOTED IN NZ DOLLARS. As New Zealand exchange rates are very volatile, please check for the latest US exchange values for the prices quoted.

2009 RATES

October 1, 2008 - April 30, 2009

Accommodations
NZ$590 Per Night (shared room)
NZ$695 Per Night (single)

Guided Fishing (1-2 Anglers Per Guide):
NZ$725 Per Day


Single or Double Occupancy Accommodations; Guided trout fishing; All meals; 12.5% New Zealand GST Tax


Airfare to Nelson, New Zealand; Alcoholic Beverages; Fishing license; Flies; Guide and lodge staff gratuities; All helicopter fishing; Ground Transfers to/from Nelson, New Zealand to Lake Rotoroa Lodge; Laundry service; Massage Treatments; Equipment rentals; Items of a personal nature

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