Huka Lodge North Island NZ
by Gil on Mar.08, 2020, under Happenings
On Friday, February 21 we transferred to the Bay of Islands Airport from Kauri Cliffs Lodge. Oops the flight to Auckland was fine, but the ongoing connection Taupo airport was canceled, so instead, we flew to Rotarua and were driven the one hour trip to Taupo where the car from Huka lodge was waiting. On our drive, we saw extensive forests that were being harvested and replanted and a lot of geothermal activity. This part of the island was formed by volcanic activity. The lodge is situated on the Waikato River that flows out of Lake Taupo New Zealand’s largest lake. Our suite had a great view of the river gently flowing by. Just below the lodge is the Huka Falls, which gave the lodge its name. It originally was a fishing lodge. Fishing is still a reason to visit but of all the great dining experiences we had in New Zealand, Huka Lodge had by far the best. We started our first night with a gourmet tasting menu served to us at our private table in the wine cellar, paired with a different New Zealand wine with each course. We followed this regimen every dinner while at Huka Lodge.
- Mauri Carving at Entrance
- Huka Lodge
- View of Waikato river from our room
- First-night menu
- Wine pairing
- Joyce and Gil at Huka Falls
It was drizzling a little on the second day at Huka Lodge but that didn’t stop us from going fly fishing for trout on the Waikato river, with super guide Chris Brennan. Joyce had never fly fished and it had been years since I cast a fly, but we literally got tired of catching nice large Rainbow and Brown trout. We had a great time, catch and releasing well over 20 fish and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the river for a great day.
- Chris and Joyce
- Both landed at the same time
- Gil with a Rainbow
- Joyce fights a nice Rainbow
- Joyce with her Rainbow
- Gil with a Brown
- Joyce with a nice Rainbow
- Joyce with a Brown
On Sunday we drove back to Rotarua to visit a Mauri Tribal meeting house (Marae) and learn about the Mauri people. We were treated to the welcoming ceremony which made us honorary tribal members, we watched traditional dances and saw how a feast (Hangi Meal) was prepared then cooked under the ground on heated stones. While the meal was cooking we took a short excursion to nearby falls hiked through the forest then watched white water rafting. Again, the New Zealand hospitality provided by the two Mauri families made us feel right at home welcoming us and treated us like family.
- Tribal Meeting House
- Interior of Meeting House
- Getting Educated
- Cerimonial Dance
- Ceremonial Dance
- Intimidate enemies
- Traditional Dance
- Traditional Dance
- Traditional Dance
- Feast goes underground
- Our guide with Joyce
- On the way to the falls
- Rafters
- Feast is done
- Our lunch is served
One last incredible dining experience, then time to pack and in the morning after another great breakfast we were off to Cape Kidnappers by car.