Without needing to venture
far from the comfort of the lodge, this area of outstanding
natural beauty offers a range of activities for most guests:
beautiful walks, kayaking on the pristine waters of Lake
Rotoroa or, perhaps, hopping onto one of the lodge bikes
for a gentle peddle or a vigorous ride for a few moments
or a few hours. A number of stunningly beautiful drives
are also on the doorstep for those who prefer the convenience
and comforts of their vehicle.
From your base at the lodge, the
active and the adventurous guest could indulge in the
wide variety of activities for which this region is becoming
increasingly renowned. Just ask us to help you with any
of the activities included here when you make your reservations
and we will be ready for you upon arrival.
Nelson
Lakes National Park
Lake Rotoroa Lodge sits right on the edge of the Nelson
Lakes National Park on the shores of the park’s
largest lake, Lake Rotoroa. This park protects 252,000
acres (102,000 ha) of the northern most Southern Alps.
During the last Ice Age massive glaciers gouged out troughs
in the mountainous headwaters of the Buller River. Today
these troughs are filled by Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa,
surrounded by craggy mountains.
The vegetation is predominantly
beech, with the red and silver species growing in lower,
warmer sites and mountain beech at higher altitudes. The
bush line, where forest gives way to alpine plants, is
a remarkable feature of the park; the change is abrupt
and uniform. In summer the alpine fell fields teem with
flowers of white, light blue and sometimes yellow.
The forests are full of birds like
tomtits, tui, robins and the tiny rifleman, New Zealand's
smallest bird. South Island kaka are also present. A highlight
in the park is the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project, which
aims to create a pest-free refuge for the recovery and
re-introduction of native species in the area. While similar
restoration efforts have been made for years on New Zealand's
offshore islands, the 2040 acre (825 ha) Rotoiti project
is part of a national programme aimed at extending these
successes onto the mainland through the creation of island-like
refuges, known as ‘mainland islands’. It
provides an ideal opportunity to see conservation work
at first hand, and to enjoy and appreciate the unique
natural attractions.
