Lake Brunner Eco Lodge

14/08/2026

"Our host went above and beyond."

There are plenty of lovely things Margaret and Peter said after their stay with us. They loved the setting between the native bush and the lake. The exceptionally comfortable bed. The hot tub. The delicious dinner and plentiful breakfast.

But this is the part that means the most to us.

""Very friendly and welcoming host who went above and beyond taking us to see the glow worms at night.""

Because that's really what we want staying at Lake Brunner to feel like. Not checking into a room and being left to figure everything out yourself. But arriving somewhere you're welcomed, fed well, encouraged to slow down, and looked after while you're here.

Sometimes that means dinner waiting for you at the end of the day. Sometimes it's helping you decide what to explore. And sometimes it's heading out after dark to show you the glowworms.

Thank you Margaret and Peter for staying with us, and for taking the time to share such lovely words.

12/08/2026

This is what a Christmas function can look like when someone else takes care of the details.

This group joined us as part of a Kiwi Travel tour and celebrated their mid-winter Christmas here at the lodge.

Dinner around one table. Christmas hats firmly encouraged. Plenty of conversation.

And nobody in the group disappearing into the kitchen to worry about what needed to happen next. It's one of the things we love about hosting groups at Lake Brunner.

When you have the lodge to yourselves, we can take care of the accommodation, meals and all those little details that usually fall to one unfortunate person in the group.

You arrive. You settle in. And you actually get to enjoy the occasion you've organised.

So if you've been nominated to organise this year's Christmas function, there is an easier way to do it.

Bring your people. We'll help take care of the rest.

Exclusive Use Christmas stays are now open for enquiries.

10/08/2026

Ask a fly fisher where they want to fish in New Zealand and they'll probably have a river in mind.

But on the West Coast, there's another question that's often more important.

When should you fish it?

Conditions here can change quickly. Rain overnight can change river levels and clarity, while another piece of water not far away may be fishing beautifully.

That's why we don't believe in deciding months in advance exactly where you'll fish each day.

Our local guides watch the conditions, look at what's happening on the water and make that decision with you when you're here.

Sometimes the best decision is to stay. Sometimes it's to move. And sometimes the river you hadn't planned to fish turns out to be the best day of the trip.

That's part of fly fishing on the West Coast. It's not about chasing a famous name on a map. It's about being on the right water at the right time.

Our hosted fly-fishing season runs from October through April, with guided packages available throughout the season.

If you're thinking about fishing the West Coast this season, now is a good time to start talking dates.

04/08/2026

A Little Better Every Season

While the lodge has been quieter over winter, we've been making the most of every day.

Our annual Winter Refresh is all about taking care of the jobs that are difficult to complete while we're busy hosting guests.

This season we've been:

• Refreshing staff rooms with new paint.
• Preparing for new carpet throughout the lodge.
• Creating a dedicated massage room overlooking the native bush and Lake Brunner.
• Tackling the many behind-the-scenes improvements that help keep the lodge looking its best.

Some of these changes are guest-facing. Some are simply part of caring for a property that's been welcoming visitors for generations. We believe it's the little details that make a stay feel effortless.

We're looking forward to welcoming guests back for spring fly fishing, exclusive use celebrations and our Hosted Kumara Races Weekend.

See you soon at Lake Brunner.

30/06/2026

Over the past year we've welcomed guests from all over New Zealand and beyond, celebrated special occasions, hosted memorable weekends, shared countless dinners around our table, and met some truly wonderful people.

To everyone who has stayed with us, supported us, recommended us, or followed our journey, thank you. Your support means more than you probably realise.

Throughout July, we'll be closing the lodge to carry out some planned maintenance and complete a few projects that are difficult to do while we're welcoming guests.

It's all part of making sure Lake Brunner Eco Lodge continues to be a place where people can relax, reconnect, and feel completely looked after.

We'll be reopening on 1 August 2026, refreshed and ready to welcome guests back for another season.

We already have some exciting events and experiences planned for the months ahead, and we can't wait to share them with you.

Until then, thank you once again for being part of our story.

We'll still be responding to enquiries and taking bookings for future stays while the lodge is closed.

We look forward to welcoming you back from 1 August.

22/06/2026

One of the things that surprises me most about winter is what guests talk about when they leave.

It's usually not the things you'd expect.

Of course people love the scenery, the glowworms, and the food. But what they often mention is how relaxed they felt. Maybe it's because winter gives us permission to slow down a little.

There are no crowds. No pressure to rush from one attraction to the next. People spend longer over breakfast. Sit by the fire with a book. Watch the weather roll across the lake. Or simply enjoy having nowhere they need to be.

I think that's what makes winter so special here.

Life becomes a little quieter.

And sometimes that's exactly what we need.

What do you love most about winter?

19/06/2026

What can you expect from a Murder Mystery Weekend?

Good question.

The answer is: probably not what you're imagining. This isn't a theatre show where you sit quietly and watch from the sidelines. And it's not a weekend of awkward role play either.

It starts much like any great getaway.

A scenic journey. A warm welcome. A drink before dinner. Conversations around the table.

Then, little by little, the story begins to unfold.

New characters arrive. Questions emerge. Clues appear where you least expect them.

By the second day, theories are being shared over breakfast. By dinner, alliances have formed. And by the final evening, everyone is convinced they've solved it.

Some will be right. Most won't.

Alongside the mystery, you'll enjoy hosted accommodation, great food, spectacular West Coast scenery, and plenty of time to relax between the twists and turns.

It's a long weekend that combines the comfort of a hosted lodge stay with the fun of being part of a story.

And no two groups experience it quite the same way.

14-18 August 2026

Could you solve the mystery?

17/06/2026

In just 9 days, guests will be boarding the TranzAlpine and leaving the everyday behind.

No planning. No cooking. No driving.

No rushing from one thing to the next.

Just four days of spectacular scenery, hosted experiences, good food, and the rare opportunity to slow down properly.

The Winter Reset begins on 26 June.

By this time next week, we'll be preparing welcome drinks, setting tables for candlelit dinners, and getting ready to welcome our guests.

If you've been thinking about joining us, now is the time.

A few places remain.

26-29 June 2026

Learn more here:

A fully hosted winter escape in New Zealand with everything included. Scenic train, candlelit dinners, and complete relaxation. One weekend only. Limited availability.

15/06/2026

Most people don't expect glowworms to be one of the highlights of their stay.

Then they see them. The torch switches off. The forest goes quiet.

And suddenly thousands of tiny blue lights appear in the darkness, suspended among the trees like stars.

No crowds. No bus tours.
No rushing from one attraction to the next.

Just a short walk through native rainforest and one of nature's most remarkable displays.

It's included as a complimentary experience for guests staying with us at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge.

One of those simple moments that stays with you long after you've gone home.

Have you ever seen glowworms in the wild?

Photo credit: Megan Ellis

12/06/2026

One of the things guests tell us they love most about the Winter Reset is the Scenic Tour.

Not because of any one destination. But because they don't have to think about any of it.

We take care of the driving. We plan the day.
And all you have to do is enjoy the journey.

Over the course of the day, you'll visit some of the West Coast's most iconic places, including Hokitika Gorge, the Treetop Walkway and Punakaiki, stopping along the way to take in the scenery, stretch your legs and enjoy a picnic lunch.

No maps.
No schedules.
No wondering where to go next.

Just a great day out with a small group of like-minded guests.

It's all part of the Winter Reset Escape.

26-29 June.
Only a few places remain.