| The lodge stands on the edge of forest of
Mt Aspiring National Park, overlooking the broad river flats
of the East Matukituki river. Nestled at the foot of the three
tall peaks of the National Park; Mt Rob Roy, Mt Avalanche
and its spectacular glacier, and of course the much admired
Tititea/Mt Aspiring “the shining peak” from which
the lodge and park take their name.
Redevelopments have focused on retaining the lodge as a true
alpine hut, our focus has been on safety and comfort –
but not convenience and there is still an element of pioneering
spirit required to live and learn in this environment.
Facilities
The lodge can offer accommodation for up to 40 people in bunkroom
style sleeping rooms. A large kitchen, complete with all gas
rings and coal fired range provides cooking facilities. The
front room offers a large common room for dining and classroom
requirements.
- 8 separate Bunkrooms (3-7 beds each) accommodating up
to 40 people.
- Full kitchen and food preparation facilities.
- 4 Showers with Hot Water.
- Flush Toilets.
- Drying Room.
- Relaxing enclosed courtyard setting.
Activities
A wide range of outdoor and adventure based activities are
easily available from the lodge. These include:
- Day walks and tramping along well formed tracks to suit
a range of abilities
and fitness levels.
- Low and High Challenge Ropes Course Experiences
- Team-building and initiative activities.
- A range of outdoor pursuits including kayaking and rock
climbing.
- Environmental and Eco-Activities.
- Overnight camping/tramping expeditions.
- Skiing and Boarding in Winter (Treble Cone Resort).
In Wanaka a wide range of adventure tourism options exist
with group concessions available for lodge users.
Location and Access
The lodge is true wilderness facility and is not accessible
by road or car. Access by car is from Wanaka via the Matukituki
Valley Road (Approx 1 hour) to Cameron Flat. A river crossing
of the West Matukituki, followed by a short tramp up the river
flats (15 Mins) gives access to the lodge. A footbridge is
available nearby for access in times of high river flow. Tractor
and trailer support is usually available to transport equipment
and supplies from Cameron Flat to the lodge.
Communication
The lodge is very much an escape from the modern electronic
world. There is a very cosy coal range in the kitchen but
no microwave oven. Similarly, the national park has no telephone,
cellphone coverage, email, internet or TV services. However,
to maintain vital contact with the outside world we use a
sophisticated radio-telephone system connected to telephone
interconnect technology supplied by the Canterbury Mountain
Radio Service. Our radio system provides 24 hour emergency
coverage allowing us to make contact with emergency services
24 hrs a day. We can also connect to any telephone or mobile
phone in New Zealand should the need arise.
Risk Management and Safety Considerations
There is no doubt that the remote location and truly alpine
setting of the lodge present unique safety and risk management
considerations. However, our staff have over thirty years
experience running programmes at the centre which are safe
and enjoyable. We are proud of our safety record, and give
you our 100% commitment to helping users of the lodge enjoy
a safely managed wilderness adventure.
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