Luxury lodge a natural beauty

Luxury lodge a natural beauty

The only commercial luxury lodge within Abel Tasman National Park has been placed on the market for sale, offering a one-off investment opportunity combining several revenue streams.

Set among 20 hectares of bush, Awaroa Lodge is the largest freehold land within the national park, located north of infamous Kaiteriteri Beach at the northern tip of the South Island. It is being marketed for sale by Bayleys Nelson.

The lodge overlooks Awaroa Bay – one of the most stunning white sand beaches in Golden Bay – and the property includes a six-metre wide access strip leading from the beach to the lodge.

Awaroa Lodge is being managed by renowned Australasian hotel operator “Peppers”, which is part of the Mantra Group.

Bayleys Nelson salesperson said Awaroa Lodge offered a potential new owner a niche tourism travel business, with an established reputation, relationships with wholesalers and inbound operators in place and a range of income streams. These include accommodation, a restaurant, bar, kayaking business and as an events venue.

“The future of tourism in this special slice of New Zealand is just waiting for a new owner to take over and stamp their own personality on this highly-regarded Kiwi lodge,” he said.

“The property boasts easy access to golden beaches and bush-clad land and is the only dedicated commercial luxury lodge of its type allowed within the park. This modern and stylish lodge has been designed in harmony with its natural surroundings and caters to a range of guests from international travellers to Kiwi families and couples, offering an ideal location from which to get close to all this stunning coastline has to offer.”

An eco lodge, Awaroa has achieved the Earth Check silver status – an internationally recognised standard for eco tourism.

The property has a land area of 19.94 hectares. It has a rateable value of$8.3 million and is on the market for sale by negotiation.

The lodge includes accommodation for all budgets from luxury villa suites to Awaroa Bay Budget Accommodation (ABBA), said Mr Lambert.

Developed in 1991, Awaroa Lodge has been expanded to 26 villa suites overlooking wild bush and wetlands, a restaurant comfortably seating up to 100 people, licensed bar, courtyard café, reception, lounge, library and other support facilities.

“As part of recent upgrades, 12 of the suites have been developed into luxury superior accommodation, the public facilities remodelled, and a large conservatory fine dining room overlooking Pukeka and birdlife wetlands have been developed. The library book collection has also been extended and a new furnished lounge and small private massage relaxation centre added for treatment after a long day hiking or kayaking.”

The organic gardens of Awaroa are well-known for providing fresh organic herbs and vegetables to the restaurant.

Recent figures from the Department of Conservation indicate last year Abel Tasman National Park hosted 151,000 people - consisting of 120,000 day visitors and 31,000 overnight stays.

Complementing the accommodation is a guided sea kayak operation, which tailors trips specifically for lodge guests. Twelve sea kayaks are used for open water trips along the national park coastline, plus another 10 freedom kayaks for use in the Awaroa inlet in tidal conditions.

The lodge is also open for conferences, weddings and other group events from September to May and provides clients a high level of privacy and attention.

Awaroa Lodge is easily accessible by water taxi, plane or helicopter, or for the more adventurous, by foot via the Abel Tasman Track or by sea kayak.

Natural beauty: Awaroa Lodge in Awaroa Bay, near Kaiteriteri, is on the market for sale with Bayleys Nelson.

ENDS

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