Lake Brunner Lodge Heritage
The landscape around Lake Brunner Lodge was etched in the deepest past of ancient lands and history. A unique wilderness of primitive forests and extraordinary birdlife. Blessedly remote and astonishingly beautiful.
The area was first trodden by Maori in search of pounamu, New Zealand jade. Greenstone trails meander over the alps in search of the treasured stone. Woven into legend and myth, greenstone was used for weapons, tools and adornment.
Following in their footsteps early European explorers also forged trails in the wilderness. A short-lived gold rush put the area on the map as a flat, lake-edge place for a camp. The Mitchell family arrived and the little settlement became known as Mitchell's, the name which remains today.
A history of hospitality followed, firstly with a boarding house converted to a licensed hotel by the Morgan family. Travellers, fishermen and pioneers sought out the hotel in which to stay.
New Zealand was ahead of the world in conservation and the surrounding area became protected as one of New Zealand's earliest official scenic reserves.
In the 1930s the historic old hotel was replaced with the new Lake Brunner Lodge built from locally milled timber. Parties and weddings plus wonderful fishing established the lodge as one of the central locations for West Coast social life.
In 2005, final touches were added for a touch of gracious luxury all in keeping with the 1930's heritage lodge ensuring comfort for today's travellers.
