Mangarakau Accommodation
Stay at Mangarakau Wetland
Experience the peace and beauty of Mangarakau Wetland in Golden Bay, with a stay at the reserve’s lodge.
Surrounded by native vegetation and wetlands, Mangarakau is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including the nationally critical matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern). There are walking tracks around the reserve, and the lodge is a great base for exploring the wider region, including Kahurangi National Park, Farewell Spit and Te Tai Tapu Marine Reserve.
The lodge can accommodate up to 15 people and has a well-equipped kitchen, bathroom and shower facilities, and a wood burner for cooler evenings. Visitors need to bring their own food and bedding.
Whether you’re exploring the wetland, listening for native birds or relaxing on the verandah, Mangarakau is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquillity of this special landscape.
Lodge bookings and enquiries
Accommodation at Mangarakau is managed by the Friends of Mangarakau Swamp.
For details of the facilities, current rates and booking conditions, please visit the Friends of Mangarakau Swamp accommodation page.
To enquire about availability or arrange a stay, please contact:
Robyn Jones
Phone: (03) 524 8266
Email: mangarakauswamp@gmail.com
Getting there
From Nelson, travel through Motueka and over Tākaka Hill. Continue through Tākaka and Collingwood towards Pākawau.
Just north of Pākawau, take the left-hand fork towards Whanganui Inlet. Follow Dry Road west and then south, around the eastern shore of the inlet.
As the road curves around the southern end of the inlet, Mangarakau Wetland will be on your left, although much of it is hidden by mānuka scrub and exotic plantations. Continuing south, the wetland becomes more visible.
The Trust’s lodge and hall are located at 2169 Dry Road, opposite the old school.
Visiting safely
Please be aware that the road beyond Pākawau is unsealed, narrow and winding.
Mangarakau has a history of mining and other activities, and some areas contain hazards, including old coal mines. Visitors should take care when exploring the reserve, keep to established tracks and firm ground, and avoid potentially hazardous areas of the wetland.
Please respect this special environment and help protect its wildlife and habitats.
For more information about the wetland and its conservation work, visit the Friends of Mangarakau Swamp website.
Parent Reserve: Mangarakau Wetland
