Huka Lodge (mini report)

Status
Not open for further replies.

amaroo

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Posts
12,359
Qantas
Platinum 1
After recently posting a trip report on Wharekauhau Lodge Wharekauhau a couple of members mentioned they were keen to visit some NZ lodges. We've been to a few, so I thought I would post some mini reports .... the kiwis do luxury lodges very well.

We've been lucky enough to visit Huka Lodge a few times Huka Lodge | Taupo Luxury Retreat | New Zealand - Huka Lodge Since I didn't start taking food shots until I joined AFF .... this TR will focus on the property and some of the activities one can do.

 
Last edited:
I'm waiting for the one of your trophy trout!:)

Hmmm, I did hire a guide for a day - he did everything imaginable to get me hooked, but it was not to be o_O However, I did improve my fly casting skills...
 
Hmmm, I did hire a guide for a day - he did everything imaginable to get me hooked, but it was not to be o_O However, I did improve my fly casting skills...


HaHa - Ron didn't catch any trout in NZ either ! :(
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

There are many activities at Huka Lodge - on previous trips we did whitewater rafting and fly fishing. This trip we did their “Must Do” package - combo of helicopter and boat cruise on Lake Taupo.

The helicopter ride is spectacular - the flight takes you over Lake Taupo, Kaimanawa & Tongariro NPs, capped off with a Hula Falls flyover.

A “must do” when staying here!

A8B3D422-7119-4A28-A8C6-D283C55638AB.jpeg BEBF4FCD-9ECA-4E34-B58C-8C8C3A903D26.jpeg DC018157-75E2-4E11-BC72-4CBCC8E8CBDD.jpeg D66CD15F-74A9-43E4-A373-A9AF2E35C6B7.jpeg 69178F2F-2DF8-4787-BA1D-31762D0CA19E.jpeg C0A5961E-B06B-4EF3-9AF7-91F4048F279E.jpeg F3B04D37-EFB4-45DB-808E-1204BA1997E4.jpeg 56D625E9-AF49-4EDF-AF4A-552D6C0AAFBA.jpeg BA30F88A-7542-49B3-8AE2-FB08DEEC2330.jpeg A66530FF-A9E4-4EAA-B472-1EDF56959136.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Enjoying this report - I have spent a lot of time in Taupo (including the first 8 weeks of my life!) but never managed Huka Lodge.
 
Enjoying this report - I have spent a lot of time in Taupo (including the first 8 weeks of my life!) but never managed Huka Lodge.

Beautiful location. Great place to spoil yourself....
 
On final approach to the lodge you get to do a flyover of the falls.

You can see Huka Lodge on the left river bank

3AD19177-3AE7-465B-B980-B8A3414B6BE1.jpeg

The falls

6C0E429C-7D67-4859-87D6-F2399C0343BB.jpeg 5728DC21-50EE-4D6B-A2A5-E9F7C6971960.jpeg 95A0603B-83C1-4AA2-A4C9-969972C571BE.jpeg D5D0001D-2110-4C85-AFDC-59CFE101468C.jpeg EFBA3613-D598-400F-B84C-5D3C47190C57.jpeg

You can see the main lodge and the green landing strip right in front

3ABB1CCA-D095-4933-91B2-22BE8525C6BA.jpeg

Owners Cottage

9C626F7A-3160-4895-8A57-30C8D3B4FC23.jpeg 4D1EC19C-361D-40EA-811D-F684352F3BCF.jpeg D0DF9C1F-8A8E-4B1C-B01E-F3B46A74D25E.jpeg

IIRC flying time was around 2hrs - awesome experience!
 
As soon as we dropped a line - some locals came to visit.

A15F673F-61C5-4ED2-988F-9F7DB20E66BF.jpeg


6A26BD67-9B2F-4D16-9CC8-544D573DB177.jpeg 30C228D0-0FA6-4440-A94A-A52AAF5512B9.jpeg 0B833B3D-5D5E-4039-83B2-FE400264A5EA.jpeg

After some refreshments we headed back to the lodge.

696CA8E1-8B6D-4139-BDD2-61AF6970D6A6.jpeg

Close up view of Huka Falls. The river narrows from 100m into a canyon 15m wide ... the final stage is a 11m drop. The voume of water can approach 220,000 litres per second

27DAD948-9DB2-47D9-81AC-995F93C609ED.jpeg F110AC87-B837-4261-90A9-476EDD1AC004.jpeg 1EAB59F4-6CA7-4336-9ADA-397352EF8351.jpeg

Huka Lodge is a spectacular destintion. The food is delicious and of a very high standard.

If you come here - you won’t regret it.

Next up - Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and NYC:)
 

Attachments

  • B59BD443-F220-441C-BA44-A75D35F98B56.jpeg
    B59BD443-F220-441C-BA44-A75D35F98B56.jpeg
    209.3 KB · Views: 2
The falls are incredible.

Whilst I've never had the privilege of staying at the lodge, when we first visited in '92 or '93, I think, our friends got us to the main lodge for a quick visit (one of friends brother was a manager there at the time) . And later, we went to play a round at a golf course which was attached to lodge somehow? It was quite spectacular, I remember. Remember the golf pro saying Jimmy Carter (and entourage) played there the week before, whilst staying at the lodge.

Is there a golf course as part of the lodge? or is my memory playing tricks?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top