Mr & Mrs Smith

With seven hectares of extensive grounds, walking off those luxe lodge meals will be a treat. If you fancy a stroll, the lodge’s landscaped, park-like garden is filled with stunning flower borders, and a short walk beyond the gates brings you to the spectacular Huka Falls. There are relaxing pools on hand too if you'd rather unwind with a serene soak. Angling fans will be in heaven, as the lodge can provide access to a choice of 23 streams and rivers nearby offering magnificent fishing; the area is world-famous for trout fly-fishing and is also good for spin fishing. Helicopters can whisk you straight from the lodge’s grounds to nearby wilderness areas if you fancy casting your rod in solitude surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, and four-wheel drive vehicles are also on hand to take you off-road to more obscure, challenging fishing spots. Or for a more chilled-out trip, sample sunset at Lake Taupo, best admired from the Western Bays area. We recommend a BBQ on the beach – the gentle lapping water and incredible stars when night falls will send you to bed on a high. If you fancy high-octane thrills, jet boating, bungy jumping, skydiving, waterskiing and white-water rafting are all up for grabs in and around nearby Lake Taupo: Huka Lodge can help you with bookings. Or just enjoy a spot of tennis on Huka Lodge’s all-weather court or try your hand at a game of petanque. If you fancy gadding further afield, Huka Helicopter transfers can be arranged to Auckland (1 hr 15), Wellington (1 hr 35) or Rotorua (25 minutes) direct from (or back to) Huka Lodge’s front lawn. Otherwise the drive takes 3-4 hours, 4.5 hours or 1 hour, or domestic flights travel daily to Taupo from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Charter flights are also available on request.