FAQ

A stay at the lodge is generously inclusive of full country breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, gourmet four-course dinner with daily changing menu, use of all lodge facilities and return Taupō Airport transfers.

Rates are quoted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and charged on a per person, per night basis.

Rates are inclusive of 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi access is available throughout the lodge.

Yes, the lodge operates complimentary airport transfers connecting with scheduled flights to and from Taupō Airport shared with fellow guests. Upon arrival, meet the Huka Lodge representative in the Arrivals Hall.

Check-in time is from 2pm and check-out time is 11am. Where possible, flexibility with early check-in and late check-out will be provided, however, these are unable to be guaranteed. The facilities of the lodge are available for enjoyment whilst at the property. The reservations desk is open 9am-5pm daily.

The lodge has a no-smoking policy in all suites, cottages and shared common areas. To smoke, please step outside onto your suite or cottage terrace or speak with a member of staff to be guided accordingly.

Unfortunately, no, we ask guests to leave their pets at home.

Huka Lodge welcomes children ten years and over in the main lodge and our Lodge Suites. Designed as a more exclusive retreat for families and friends travelling together, the premium multi-bedroom Alan Pye and Alex van Heeren Cottages welcome families with children of all ages. Guests in these cottages, travelling with children under ten years of age enjoy all meals in a private dining area in the main lodge.

A credit card is required to confirm a reservation. All bookings require full prepayment one month prior to arrival. We accept Visa, Mastercard or American Express or direct deposit. Payments by Visa or Mastercard attract a 1.6% surcharge; payment by American Express attracts a 2.47% surcharge (surcharges subject to change).

All bookings over the Christmas/New Year period, 18 December to 16 January inclusive, must be secured with a non-refundable deposit of one night’s accommodation within 14 days of reservation.

Bookings may be cancelled or amended prior to one month from arrival without forfeiture. Cancellations and booking amendments received within one month of arrival forfeit all monies paid.

No refunds or credits can be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services, or unused nights due to travel and/or weather disruption. For peace of mind, we recommend you protect yourself with comprehensive travel insurance to cover any cancellation fees.

View our leisure group policy. 

Huka Lodge is located in Taupō, in the central North Island of New Zealand. Auckland is the gateway for international travellers, with flights arriving from Australia several times a day.

A short 10-minute walk is the simplest transfer to the Auckland Domestic Terminal. Air New Zealand offers a minimum of two daily scheduled flights to Taupō. Flight time is 45 minutes and the lodge provides complimentary transfers to and from Taupō Airport. Another alternative is a 70-minute scenic journey from the airport by helicopter, with a landing in the grounds and a relaxed walk to one’s suite. Self-driving is a popular option for many guests at Huka Lodge; Taupō is a 3.5-4-hour scenic drive from Auckland, 4.5-5 hours from Wellington and 1-hour from Rotorua.

Reflecting the country retreat style of the lodge, dress is smart casual at Huka Lodge. Evening attire is elegant, however, ties, jackets and dinner suits are not required. Solid walking shoes, comfortable casual clothes, layers of warmer clothes and an outdoor jacket if travelling in the cooler months are all recommended. Also consider packing golf shoes, a swimsuit and other recreational clothing for active pursuits. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are summer essentials.

The climate in New Zealand is determined by a maritime influence and is generally temperate. If you are visiting Huka Lodge in our summer months, temperatures range from 17°C to the high twenties. The autumn months bring spectacular leaf colour and somewhat lower temperatures 8-15°C. Winter in Taupō brings cold temperatures in the evening, crisp clear days, and relatively high temperatures during daylight hours, between 6-12°C. Spring brings our beautiful gardens to life, especially the bulbs and temperatures of 10-15°C.

The official currency of New Zealand is New Zealand Dollars (NZD).

Time zone in Taupō , Waikato is on New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) which is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +12).

English is the official language of New Zealand.

Mains voltage in New Zealand is 230V 50Hz. Electric plugs in New Zealand are type I, and have two flat metal pins shaped like a ‘V’ with some containing a third flat pin in the centre. International adapters are available at Huka Lodge.

Room service is available on a reduced menu on request.

Signature dining venues may be reserved in advance subject to availability at the time of booking. Cottage guests are offered access to private dining venues every night of their stay, while Lodge Suite guests may reserve the signature dining experience on one night of their stay (additional nights considered when availability permits).

It is essential to advise any special dietary needs at the time of reservation. We will do our best to tailor menus accordingly whilst providing opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of premium regional produce. Should notice not be provided in advance, our chefs will endeavour to prepare suitable meals with the ingredients available. We regret we are unable to prepare meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.

The Restaurant is open as follows:

Breakfast      7.30am – 10.30am

Lunch            12pm – 4pm

Pre-dinner drinks & canapés from 6.30pm

Dinner          from 7pm

Huka Lodge is an intimate lodge with a focus on personal service ensuring an exceptional experience for our guests. As such, the restaurant is reserved for the exclusive use of in-house guests.

From reopening in December 2024, a small, fully equipped gym will be available for all guests to use. For active travellers keen to exercise  outdoors we recommend the Spa Thermal walk. The three-kilometre walk follows the Waikato River bank and offers lovely views along the way to Huka Falls. The lodge offers a complimentary transfer to the start of the track on request. Longer walks and hikes in Taupō’s spectacular landscape are also available.

There is an outdoor swimming pool and two spa pools at Huka Lodge for guests’ use. Towels are provided at the poolside.

From reopening in December 2024, new onsite wellness grounds will comprise a spa offering a selection of relaxation treatments.

The Spa Thermal walk is a three-kilometre walk which journeys along the Waikato Riverbank offering lovely views along the way to Huka Falls, perfect for a walk or run.

Taupō has some of the best walking tracks in New Zealand, all awaiting the touch of your boot-prints.

Yes, we have fly fishing rods available for guests to use at the lodge, however catch and release fishing rules apply when fishing from the lawn. Casting lessons with a fly fishing guide may also be arranged on the front lawn (subject to availability – additional charge applies).

The Alan Pye Cottage and Alex van Heeren Cottage offer private parking for residents. Secure parking in a shared car park is available for Huka Lodge guests.

Huka Lodge offers a wheelchair accessible suite in the Lodge Suite category. In the main lodge, the restaurant, terrace and ground-floor lounge spaces offer accessibility for wheelchairs. Please note not all dining locations and gardens are wheelchair accessible.

The lodge can organise a child-minding service for younger children should parents wish to attend pre-dinner drinks and dine at the same time as other guests. Children under 16 years of age are unable to attend pre-dinner drinks or dine with the other guests. We offer a variety of popular private dining options for families and parents can still enjoy pre-dinner drinks from this location. Please enquire for more information – additional charge applies.

Huka Lodge gift certificates are the ultimate gift for a significant birthday or anniversary, a wedding present, to mark a major achievement or to show appreciation.

Gifts for Guests

If you have friends, family or clients staying at Huka Lodge and want to enhance their Huka Lodge experience further by surprising them with an gift, a range of options is available. Please peruse the gift guide for ideas and inspiration. Subject to item selection, these can be waiting in the suite on arrival or presented on your behalf with a personalised gift certificate.

Gift a Stay

A gift certificate for a one-night stay, or longer, includes pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a five-course dinner and full country breakfast for every day of the stay, use of all lodge facilities and return Taupō Airport transfers.

These may be purchased for a stay in a Lodge Suite on a double occupancy basis and are also available for the Alex van Heeren Cottage and the Alan Pye Cottage. A range of special packages offers a superb variety of Huka Lodge experiences and also make for fabulous gifts. Peruse our packages.

Private jets may land directly at Taupō Airport given all arrangements are made direct with the airport well in advance, and communicated with the lodge for our planning purposes and to schedule transfers.

Contact details and pertinent information follow:

Taupō Airport
Phone: +64 7 378 7771
Email: admin@taupoairport.co.nz
Website: https://taupoairport.co.nz/

Coordinates

Official Airport Name: Taupō Airport
Operational Hours: Enquire via admin@taupoairport.co.nz

IATA Code: TUO
ICAO Code: NZAP
Latitude: 38º 44′ 23.00″ S
Longitude: 176º 05′ 04.00″ E
Elevation: 1335 feet (407 metres)
Magnetic Variation: 020º E (01/06)

Runways

ID: 17/35
Dimensions: 4547 x 98 F  1386 x 30 M
Surface: Asphalt
PCN: 026FAXU
ILS: No
ID: 11/29
Dimensions: 2398 x 197 F  731 x 60 M
Surface: Grass or earth, not graded or rolled
PCN: –
ILS: No

Communications

LOCAL FREQUENCY: 118.4
CTAF: 118.4
AWIB: 125.2
Christchurch FIS: 123.6

Navaids

Type: NDB-DME and RNAV
ID: AP
Name: Taupō
Channel: 114x
Freq: 230
Distance from field: At field
Bearing from Navis: –

Fuel

Jet A1, without icing inhibitor. 100/130 octane gasoline, leaded, MIL-L-5572F (GREEN)