Lodge ‘pocket of paradise’ in south
Recently named by National
Geographic as one of the country’s best remote getaways, the exclusive Awaroa Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park has been placed on the market as a freehold going concern.
With no road access and being the only resort of any scale in the ‘Top of the South Island’ national park, Awaroa Lodge is reached from Awaroa Beach, by boat, on foot via the Abel Tasman Coast Track, or by air.
Awaroa Beach became famous when it was bought the public through a 2016 crowdfunding initiative after many years of private ownership. It is managed by DOC and has been adopted into the national park.
Awaroa Lodge was awarded Silver under the Sustainable Tourism Criteria by Qualmark and offers quality accommodation, leisure activities and hospitality options for guests and day-trippers.
Occupying nearly 20ha, almost all in original native bush and wetlands, the lodge is at the front of the site just a short walk to the golden sand beach.
The land, buildings and business interests will be sold by private negotiation through Bayleys.
The lodge has 26 guest rooms in various configurations, fine-dining restaurant and pizzeria, manager’s apartment, on-site staff accommodation and a day spa facility, underpinned by sustainable values.
The facility is under management by New Zealand-owned and operated Capstone Hotel Management, based in Nelson, making this a compelling passive investment opportunity for a new owner.
Wayne Keene and Gill Ireland of Bayleys’ national hotels, tourism and leisure team are handling the sale.
“The property’s overseas owners had been regular guests at the lodge before – and after – purchasing a nearby beachfront bach in Awaroa Bay, and splitting their time between New Zealand and Europe,” explained Keene.
“After buying Awaroa Lodge in 2014, they embarked on an ambitious project to refurbish and completely upgrade the whole facility. Under their guardianship with extensive capital investment, it has gone from strength to strength to be repositioned at the forefront of visitor accommodation in the region.”
One of the vendors, New Zealander Tania Jones who now lives in London, says when viewed through an international lens, Awaroa Lodge and the wider national park, is a “pocket of paradise”.
“I am yet to find a place that is so magical elsewhere in the world and it’s an area to be cherished and protected for future generations,” she said.
“I am most proud of the fact that today, after significant capital expenditure, the lodge is accessible to all.
“From New Zealanders walking one of the most famous tracks in the country, to foreign tourists having the great outdoors experience while enjoying the comforts of high-class accommodation with fine food and wine, it is a very special place to stop and draw breath.”
The lodge operates at almost full capacity from October-May, catering for domestic and international clients who come to the region for some of the best walking and outdoor experiences New Zealand can offer.