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Everyone loves a getaway. A break with routine. Do something different. With no road access, no mobile phone coverage and limited Wi-Fi, Awaroa Lodge is the place to be.

An overnight getaway at Awaroa Lodge seemed like the perfect start to my Nelson Tasman exploratory trip. With New Zealanders free to travel and me being ‘stuck’ here until the Trans Tasman Bubble happens, it’s an opportunity to explore.

On my last visit to the Abel Tasman National Park there were blue sky, cloudless days, bold gold sandy beaches and turquoise water.

This trip I had to revert to Plan B, it’s a grey day in the Abel Tasman NP today. My initial plan to cruise to Awaroa Lodge with Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures, was thwarted when an easterly storm blew in. The worst storm all year they said! Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles operate vessels purpose built for the region so if anyone could get me into Awaroa Bay in this weather, I hope they could! It’s important to note here, there is no road access to Awaroa Lodge. You can walk into the Lodge through the Park (the sea shuttle will deliver your luggage), paddle in a sea kayak, go by Sea Shuttle, sail by catamaran or it’s a quick helicopter ride.

The retractable access ramps mean you don’t get wet feet, usually, transferring from the boats to the land. The photo above was taken on my departure day, when the storm had passed and the sky was blue again. We reversed away from Kaiteriteri Beach, with just 4 passengers. A young couple, rugged up for the weather, disembarked at Medlands Beach for their walk back to Anchorage where the Sea Shuttle would pick them up later in the day. That left Rachel, an Awaroa Lodge staff member returning from her day off, and me, a Personal Travel Manager. With no live client bookings, I’m thinking I’m more of a Travel Researcher and Writer at the moment!

We headed north, through the driving wind and rain, towards Awaroa Bay, in the heart of the Abel Tasman Nation Park. Just before we rounded the last headland and headed into the Bay, Skipper Peter detoured into Onetahuti Bay! He knew the weather around the corner was rough and there was a chance that we wouldn’t be able to land. My options were to disembark now and walk the 4kms over the hill to Awaroa Lodge (sheltered in the bush from the wind, just the rain for company) or stay on board, hold tight and hope we can land on Awaroa Beach. If it’s too rough, we’d return to Onetahuti, disembark and walk over the hill into Awaroa anyway. I’m not a gambler so chose to disembark now rather than prolong the possibility of vomiting in the rough sea, then returning to walk in the rain.

Covered top to toe in my Sea Shuttle issue blue plastic raincoat (they’re prepared for days like this) I jumped off the access ramp, between waves, and started the 500-metre walk along the damp golden sand to the foot bridge. Over the stream, onto the trail, into the bush, up the hill and I’m on my way. It’s pleasant walking in misty rain, but I should have packed lighter and left the magazines behind.

Relief when I reach a fork in the track and a sign that says ‘Welcome to Awaroa Lodge, 10 minutes’. I arrive at reception, resembling a ‘drowned rat’, but any discomfort dissipates when Receptionist Fran greets me with a friendly Awaroa Lodge smile. We laugh about my journey and I’m off to my room for a hot shower.

My ‘superior suite’ is just beautiful. It’s one of 12 suites, connected by a boardwalk, elevated for uninterrupted views of the wetlands and native bush. Light, modern decor, local artwork, no television, limited Wi-Fi and a big, comfortable lounge suite. Nothing to do but relax, and read the magazines. This suite is ideal for couples, with just one king size bed, cosy on a wet day like this. There’s outdoor furniture for the sunny days.

The dinner menu proves too hard to choose just one dish, so I chose two entrees. The mushroom and tempeh gyoza with daikon puree and teriyaki sauce followed by the local goat cheese filo purse with onion jam, honey roasted walnuts and raspberry dressing were delicious. Accompanied with a glass of local Neudorf Sauvignon Blanc, this was the perfect end to a stormy day.

I drift off to sleep with the rain still pounding on the tin roof. In the morning, I’m woken by native birdsong, and the sunshine outside. Yesterday’s weather’s a distant memory!

Awaroa Lodge is a unique Hotel, nestled amongst native bush, just 300 metres from the golden sands of Awaroa Bay, in the middle of the National Park. The Lodge has 12 superior suites and another 14 rooms, including family rooms, catering for 2 to 6 occupants. It’s also a great venue for conferences, gatherings and weddings with the option to book the Lodge out for sole occupancy.

What you do here is up to you but from October to April (it’s closed over winter) it’s a great spot for a walk in the Park, paddle the bays, relax on the beach, play boardgames with a glass of wine by the fire, visit the Spa….it’s a great place for a getaway.

If time’s tight you’re still able to experience Awaroa Lodge on a day trip into the park. Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the Park, stop off for lunch in the outdoor courtyard or pizzeria, maybe a walk in the Park or on the beach before returning to Kaiteriteri.

For the full Awaroa experience, you really need at least two or three nights. The Awaroa Lodge experience is about the journey AND the destination.

Disclaimer: I was a guest of Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles and Awaroa Lodge (opinions are my own), the weather was courtesy of Mother Nature. Get in touch when you’re ready for your Kiwi ‘off the beaten track’ experience!