The multi award winning Stonefly Lodge is situated on 156 acres of private forest on the banks of the Motueka River, only 50 minutes drive from Nelson. The luxury 5 star Lodge is centrally located between 3 spectacular National Parks (Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi National Park) making the Lodge an ideal base from which to explore the region. Activities from the Lodge include, world renowned fly fishing, sea kayaking, guided and unguided hiking tours, wine tasting, white water rafting, rock climbing, abseiling, horse riding tours, and exploring the many art and craft studios in the region.
Architecturally designed and engineered, the Lodge has been built from natural stone and timber acquired from the property. The total complex is powered by alternative energy sources built on site to reduce the projects environmental footprint. The Lodge interior focuses on the large stone double sided fireplace which provides the ambiance to the games room, dining room and sunroom. A large open kitchen adjoining the dining area offers the relaxed atmosphere where guest dine together, or private dining opportunities can also be catered for. Breakfasts can be served on the guest room private balcony. The cuisine is designed by our international chef around seasonally fresh produce from the extensive garden with home made produce, local quality meats and fresh seasonal seafood. Special diets are easily catered for.
Complete with library, a snooker table, and the “Matai Bar”, guests have the ideal setting to relax after an exciting days fly fishing or after exploring the numerous sites and attractions of the local region. Four guest rooms are located upstairs complete with ensuites, heated towel rails, and private balconies overlooking the Motueka River and surrounding mountains. The upper landing area above the dining room provides a quiet secluded place to utilise our fly tying area and guest computer or just indulge in a game of chess or relax with a good book.
Stonefly Lodge is designed to meet the needs of the most discerning traveller and fly fisherman, and yet provide home comforts with personalised hospitality from the experienced hosts. Your hosts, John and Kate Kerr, have over 50 years combined experience in tourism and hospitality.
The Lodge makes an ideal “sole use” facility for small groups.
Stonefly lodge has been listed in the “Top 10 Ecolodges for Australia and New Zealand”
Stonefly lodge is the most highly accredited Fly Fishing lodge in New Zealand.
Fly Fishing
Guided Fly Fishing in the Nelson region of New Zealand is world renowned for its spectacular fly fishing locations. Stalking and casting dry flies to big wild brown trout in crystal clear water is a fly fisherman’s dream come true.
This region repeatedly records the most sunshine hours of all of New Zealand, combined with the crystal clear waters and dozens of rivers and streams to choose from, the guided fly fishing experience offered from Stonefly Fishing Lodge can be most memorable. Average catch size of brown trout in this region is approx 4lb-5lb, with catches of 8lb plus quite common and the chance of a trophy 10lb brown trout may only be a cast away.
The wide choice of rivers available from Stonefly Fishing Lodge enables guests to experience relatively gentle flowing easy access rivers to more adventurous back country streams requiring more accurate casting and a suitable level of fitness. The location also allows a wide choice of rivers from different catchment systems enabling the fly fishing guides to pick the most appropriate fly fishing destination according to the various flow rates at a particular time of year.
“The Motueka River supports one of New Zealand’s highest brown trout populations and recent drift dives indicate populations of 100-500 trout per kilometre.”
(Fish and Game NZ)
“The best day fly fishing EVER”
Tom & Meg NSW, Australia Nov 2011
(Tom & Meg are very experienced fly fishers and have fly fished New Zealand on 17 occasions, now 8 times from Stonefly Lodge)
Stonefly Fishing Lodge is ideally situated on the banks of the Motueka River between the confluence of the Wangapeka River and the confluence of the Baton River allowing our guests immediate access to some of the best fly fishing waters in New Zealand.
Further afield, within an hours drive, guests can access dozens of quality fly fishing streams and rivers within the Nelson Lakes and northern Murchison region. With the aid of a helicopter dozens more fly fishing locations become available to guests at Stonefly Fishing Lodge. All the team of fly fishing guides at Stonefly Lodge are members of the NZ Professional Guides Association and are hand selected for their vast experience of the local waters, their ability to stalk and spot trout, and their individual personality. Stonefly lodge stocks a full range of waders, boots, rods, and reels for guest use. Your guide will have all the flies required for the fishing days.
Heli Fishing
Whilst the lodge is surrounded by many rivers and streams accessible by a short 4WD excursion from the lodge, the lodge’s own helipad and the close proximity to Kahurangi National Park provides the opportunity for anglers to experience heli – fishing at it’s very best. Kahurangi National Park consists of 1 million acres of pristine wilderness with literally dozens and dozens of back country rivers and streams only accessible by helicopter or a 4 day hike in. Remote – like you’ve never experienced before. Your heli trip from the lodge can take you past “Lord of the Rings “ film sites and scenery only New Zealand can offer.
After a cooked breakfast at the lodge, and time to gear up, the helicopter will take you and your guide away over the mountains of Kahurangi National Park and into one of the many back country remote pristine streams. You and your guide will walk upstream casting to big wild brown trout on a river or stream all to yourselves until the helicopter returns late afternoon for the flight home to the lodge. Many anglers say the flight alone and the spectacular scenery is worth the trip.
Other Activities
Whilst the main activity at Stonefly Lodge is fly fishing we have an extensive list of activities and attractions from the lodge for the non anglers.
Private guided wine / art tour:
There are 24 boutique wineries and similar number of boutique art studies within an hours drive of Stonefly Lodge. Tailor made full day excursion visiting a selection of award winning wineries and local art and craft studios. This tour introduces visitors to the actual creators of world class wine, and reveals the cultural essence of the region with studio and gallery visits with some of New Zealand’s highly acclaimed artists. Depending on the interests of the group each tour is tailor made to suit their needs.
Abel Tasman National Park – Private Charter Boat cruising
Arguably the most beautiful park in New Zealand, the Abel Tasman National Park is predominantly a coastal park, and is admired for its golden sandy beaches, tranquil lagoons, fascinating rocky outcrops and beautiful, unmodified estuaries. There are several coastal walking tracks which wander through the forest and along the edge of the sea. Our full day tour is by a private charter catamaran exploring all the coastline with time to kayak, walk, swim and view the seals and penguins which frequent the park.
Abel Tasman – Sea Kayaking
Showcasing the seal colony and habitat, granite headlands, with a scenic walk in one of the best sections of the park with Maori and European stories and legends.
Transfer from Stonefly Lodge to meet the 830am aqua taxi north to the golden expanse of Onetahuti beach to discover New Zealand fur seals at Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Fur seals are extremely good swimmers and you will see them first hand from your kayak. Paddle south with the breeze, exploring sculptured granite headlands. Finish kayaking at Medlands beach for a gourmet lunch before embarking on your guided bushwalk. Your guide will stop at a number of significant spots where you can learn about the flora and fauna. Return to Marahau by aqua taxi where your transport will be waiting to take you back to Stonefly Lodge around 530pm.
Guided Hikes:
Abel Tasman National Park (coastal)
Arguably the most beautiful park in New Zealand the Abel Tasman National Park is predominantly a coastal park, and is admired for its golden sandy beaches, tranquil lagoons, fascinating rocky outcrops and beautiful, unmodified estuaries. There are several coastal walking tracks which wander through the forest and along the edge of the sea offering spectacular views across Abel Tasman Bay. Spend a day with your own guide exploring this park, including courtesy transfers from the lodge, and lunch.
The Abel Tasman walk is from Marahau to Anchorage, 4 hours reasonably gentle walking and includes the water taxi ride back to Marahau. Or alternatively walk from Bark Bay to Anchorage with water taxi transfers.
Kahurangi National Park – Mount Arthur hike. (wilderness)
Kahurangi is New Zealand’s second largest National Park, created in 1996. It is an untouched wilderness area and includes the world-renowned Heaphy, Wangapeka, and Mt Arthur tracks.
Kahurangi is home to many endemic plant species with the largest range of flora of any of the New Zealand National Parks.
A fully guided hiking tour taking you to one of the higher peaks in Kahurangi National Park with spectacular views over Nelson and the Abel Tasman Bay. Starting at 930am from the Lodge and returning approx 530pm including lunch on the mountain. The walking time and route taken can be varied easily to suit the fitness and experience of the hikers. The guides are experienced, know the area well and have a passion for nature. They are keen to share with you its wildlife and natural history as well as the stories of the original inhabitants, the Maori people.
Nelson Lakes National Park (alpine)
Comprises 101,753 hectares of Beech forest, valleys, isolated glacial lakes and craggy peaks, clear streams and home to native Bellbirds and Kaka among many others. This stunning hike to Mt Robert offers exquisite views and vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges and many valleys. Your guide will pick you up in the morning from Stonefly Lodge, a short drive later and you will leave the vehicle at the car park – half way up the mountain, this is a great way to start the day, you will have wonderful views before the hike even begins! A gourmet lunch at Bushline hut and a few hours later you’ll be dropped off back at your accommodation. This walk on a good day is hard to beat. Wonderful 360 degree views of the Southern Alps stretching away to the south, and the valleys which lie at the feet of these mighty mountains, it’s almost hard to capture the feeling in a photograph. (reasonable fitness required.
Scenic Heli-tours
Abel Tasman – Water, Walk and Fly
Depart from the helipad at Stonefly Lodge mid morning and fly northwards over the Kahurangi National Park, land on top of Hoary Head (5,000 ft) to take in the enormity of the park with 360 degree views. Take off towards the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park flying over the white sandy beaches and forest to land at Awaroa beach on the northern side of the park. You now have the option of an easy 2 hr walk (or 4 hour walk) through pristine native forest on a well signposted track to reach some of the golden sandy beaches this park is noted for. You have time to have a picnic lunch on the beach while you wait for your boat transfer along the Abel Tasman eastern coastline back to Kaiterteri where your host will be waiting to transfer you back to Stonefly lodge. (this tour schedule can be reversed depending on the tide conditions in Abel Tasman)
Lord of the Rings – Mt Owen, Dimrill Dale
Distraught at the loss of Gandalf, the remaining members of the Fellowship escape the mines and throw themselves to the ground in their grief. Filming was undertaken here for 10 days and the results are one of the most moving moments in the film. Mt Owen Showcases some of the oldest rock in New Zealand and has priceless geological properties. As you fly toward Mt Owen, a landscape of glaciated marble karst is exposed and you appreciate the size of these giant rocks. The surface is split with crevasses and sinkholes where water has left its mark. The area also claims New Zealand’s largest underground caving system. Mt Owen is situated at the Southern end of the Kahurangi National Park ideally located to access from the helipad at Stonefly Lodge situated on the boundary of the park. Includes a pack lunch on top of Mt Owen. Tour is approx 3hrs.
Heli – Hikes
Stonefly Lodge is located adjacent to Kahurangi National Park and within 1 hour’s drive of two other National Parks (Nelson Lakes and Able Tasman), however these pristine hiker’s destinations can be accessed by helicopter within 20minutes from Stonefly Lodge. The lodge is an excellent base for day walks into these areas with helicopter access to spectacular destinations that are not normally visited. Walks can be tailor made for your level of fitness and expertise. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide and provided with a gourmet lunch.
Guided Biking
The Nelson Region is the Heart of Biking in New Zealand. It’s home to two Great Rides; the family friendly Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and the exhilarating and historically rich Dun Mountain Trail, all within easy ride from Nelson Airport. The region also boasts some of the very best mountain biking in the world, from the fun and easily accessed Codgers and Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Parks to the back country splendor and isolation of the renowned Heaphy, Rameka and Rainbow trails. Heli-biking from Stonefly Lodge opens up limitless opportunities in our spectacular remote backcountry trails.
Stonefly Lodge is located on the “Great Taste Trail” and when the final stage is complete it will be half way along the full 150km trail, linking Nelson, Mapua, Motueka, Abel Tasman National Park, Tapawera, and Wakefield giving access to a myriad of wineries, craft studios, and eateries.
All ages and fitness levels can be catered for. All tours are guided and flexible to suit required riding times.
Location
Access by road to Stonefly Lodge luxury accommodation from Nelson is only a 50 minute drive through the scenic Moutere Hills, home to many vineyards, orchards and country farms. We can arrange to meet you at the Nelson airport and transfer you to the Lodge. Ideally situated near Abel Tasman National Park and Nelson, South Island, New Zealand the location of Stonefly Lodge allows our guests to use the Lodge as a base to explore a wide diversity of fly fishing waters in the region and the opportunity to experience some of the region’s major National Parks (Abel Tasman, Kahurangi, and Nelson Lakes) complete with their attractions.
The property is 2.5km from the main sealed road with access via a riverside track to a secluded valley setting offering complete privacy for our guests.
The location makes for an exclusive, remote retreat surrounded by forest and a wild river.
Sample Itinerary
(5 night, 6 day fly fishing and sight seeing package)
Day 1.
Arrive into Nelson via any of the major cities of New Zealand. (Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington). Your host will be waiting to greet you at the airport and drive you to Stonefly Lodge via a pleasant scenic 50 minute route past vineyards, market gardens and country farms. If time permits, some casting practice on the river only metres from the lodge can be arranged. The 5 nights will be in a deluxe room including a gourmet 4 course dinner and fully cooked breakfast.
Day 2, 3, 4.
Guided fly fishing. Your guide will arrive at the lodge at 830am after breakfast, ready to fit you out with waders and boots etc and the excursion begins with a 4WD tour to one of many rivers in the region. The locations vary every day once we take into consideration the weather conditions, river flows, and angler experience. We are able to rest each beat for 5 days or so to limit the angler pressure on the trout where possible. Lunch will be served on the banks of a river to allow maximum time fishing. Most fishing parties arrive back approximately 5pm ready for the fishing tales around the Matai bar before dinner.
A great optional extra is for those who wish is to Heli Fish one of the days and try your luck in the heart of a wilderness part where the wild brown trout are usually less disturbed by angler pressure in a pristine environment. Often this is the highlight of the entire New Zealand Holiday.
Day 5
Just for a change, and to see one of the most popular parks in New Zealand we can offer an excursion into Abel Tasman National Park by private boat charter. This is a day full of activity and site seeing with the ability to, swim, kayak, walk in the park, explore the beaches or just enjoy the boat cruise as it hugs the coastline of golden beaches and native forest.
For the mad keen fisherman this day can still be a fishing day. (same price)
Day 6
Your host will transfer you to Nelson by 4WD.
Optional extra: heli-transfer from the Lodge only 15min flight with stunning views over the Tasman Bay and coastline.
Package costs:
1st October to 14th December 2014, 15th March to 30th April 2015
5 night 4 days of fishing and touring: $4250 p/p
7 night, 6 days of fishing and touring $4600 p/p
15th December 2014 to 14th March 2015
5 night 4 days of fishing and touring: $6100 p/p
7 night, 6 days of fishing and touring $6590 p/p
All prices include 15% GST and are quoted per person on a twin share basis .
