Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass – A Top Ten Eco-Lodge of the World

Nestled in a beech forest in New Zealand’s Arthur’s Pass National Park, Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass is a 6000 acre nature reserve bringing together a working sheep farm with a One-of-a-kind wilderness adventure lodge, which offers sheep trips on its list of activities. The estate’s owners, leading figures in New Zealand’s conservation groups, have placed wildlife education at the core of the lodge’s focus, without sacrificing the fun, adventure and comfort a vacation experience here offers.

At Wilderness Lodge, you can start your day by shearing a Merino sheep or feeding an orphaned lamb, before continuing on to the many wilderness adventure trips on offer. Guided excursions include hiking, kayaking, canoeing, bird watching and trout fishing. Twenty miles of trails provide off-site adventure, with a complimentary guided program which varies daily. From shorter guided walks through wetlands and unique thorn forests, or tours geared to farm life discovery and bird watching, to longer mountain trips and “Day of Discovery” excursions, on-site naturalists will introduce you to the flora and fauna of New Zealand’s southern Alps, its ecology and nature preservation. Kayaking, canoeing and self-guided rambles provide great scenery and enough adventure to satiate the most audacious spirit. In the evenings, night sky walks and stargazing provide ample excitement.

While wilderness adventure is its mainstay, Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass boasts elegant, plush accommodations and services. Designed especially by a wilderness architect to blend with its natural surroundings, the lodge features wood, concrete and corrugated iron in its construction. Mountain view rooms with large picture windows overlook the stunning snow-capped Southern Alps and the Waimakariri River Valley. Detached alpine lodges afford every privacy, tucked into the sandstone in a secluded beech forest. The public spaces, including a lounge and library, are warm and inviting.

Breakfast and dinner are included in the stay. The dinner menu showcases a gourmet four-course dinner which changes daily. Local vegetables, fish and meat, including Wilderness Lodge lamb, are part and parcel of the fare.

Wilderness Lodge’s unique merino wool farming program affords guests the opportunity to explore the farm, meet the sheep, spend time in the shearing shed and actively participate in the farm’s daily activities. At the same time, the Lodge’s program with its access to a myriad of active vacation pursuits, mountains, trout-fishing streams and miles of walking trails, makes Wilderness Lodge an ideal family adventure vacation destination in a region of New Zealand that is absolutely stunning.