— HOME AT FIRST'S —
    WESTLAND LODGE
       SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
         ————————
          Civilized Comfort in
       New Zealand’s Wildest Frontier.

THE ACCOMMODATION: Westland Lodge was built in 1978 on the site of a historic coach stop, boarding house and post office. The house features spacious living areas with two lounges and a trophy/games room with pool table. There are 5 large, airy bedrooms (3 with baths ensuite, and 2 with private baths), all with superior comfort beds. All bedrooms have TV, and tea/coffee facilities. A phone/fax and laundry are available. Westland Lodge provides tasty, home cooking: bountiful meals of traditional country fare, and not only for breakfast. Their 4-course dinners have earned Westland Lodge a reputation as the best kitchen for 50 miles in either direction.

THE SETTING: Set in tranquil surroundings, this modern colonial style lodge overlooks its own small farm which specializes in breeding wapiti (Rocky Mountain Elk) and red deer. The owners/hosts are native Kiwis with the pioneer spirit typical of this remotest part of New Zealand. Bev is a local elementary school teacher. When not tending the elk farm, Grant is an expert hunting and fishing guide. Together, they enjoy hosting guests at Westland Lodge, and share their enthusiasm for their extraordinary part of New Zealand. To that end, Grant welcomes guests to his evening feeding of the elk. The 6PM farm tour enables one to learn about the challenge of succeeding in this remote place, and how to hand-feed wapiti. Grant explains why the animals are farmed on this small specialist breeding unit.

photos copyright © HOME AT FIRST

THE LOCATION: Westland Lodge is located about midway along the west coast of New Zealand's South Island in Westland. Westland is a long, thin New Zealand state wedged between the Tasman Sea and the 13,000' high Southern Alps. Great rivers tumble from the glaciated mountains, carrying silt and stone to the sea. This wild territory is home to many species of wild game and game fish. There are no large population centers in Westland. Greymouth, 70 miles to the north, is the largest town of the region. As such, there are few services, stores, or restaurants. This is a land of unexpected geographic drama, and little civilization. From the Buller Canyon at the northern entrance to Westland, to the oddly formed Punakaiki (Pankake) Rocks, to the wild Wanganui River, to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Westland provides surprise after surprise.

ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION: Fish in the wild glacial streams for brown trout and salmon. Hunt for Himalayan tahr, chamois, red deer, fallow deer, wild boar, South Pacific goat, feral sheep, New Zealand bull wapiti (elk), and small game. Take an evening glowworm tour through the rain forest. Walk in the region—walks range from short easy strolls to multi-day treks: the Wilberg Track (a 30-minute rainforest walk), the Coastal Walkway (a 3-hour hike to the Tasman Sea), the Wanganui Valley Tramp (a 6-hour hike to an overnight hut). Raft the white water of the Wanganui River (helicopter in, raft out). Go birdwatching—perhaps especially for the regions rare white herons. Pan for gold where the mines played out a century ago. Shop for native greenstone (jade) jewelry. Play golf at Whataroa. Go heli-hiking on the magnificent Fox Glacier in the Southern Alps within sight of the Tasman Sea. Fly in a light plane to towering Mt. Cook—New Zealand’s highest mountain.

AVAILABILITY: For current availability information, call HOME AT FIRST at (800) 523-5842, or contact us by e-mail at: info@homeatfirst.com

NOTE: Westland Lodge receives consistently excellent reviews for location, quality, hosting, and meals from Home at First guests.

More information about Home at First's travel program to:
NEW ZEALAND