Buyers will have the chance to reel in one of the world’s great fishing lodges, as the internationally renowned Tongariro Lodge goes up for sale.

Set in park-like grounds on the banks of the Tongariro River, at the southern end of Lake Taupo, the lodge has hosted famous guests including former US President Jimmy Carter and film stars Liam Neeson, Robert Mitchum and Timothy Dalton.

Tongariro Lodge was established in 1982 by legendary angler and guide Tony Hayes. With access to some of the world’s best trout fishing and adventure activities, it was a pioneer of New Zealand’s lodge industry. The lodge quickly became a flag-bearer of the country’s lodge accommodation market.

The 9.1-hectare compound can accommodate up to 110 guests in two to five-bedroom villas or one-bedroom chalets in secluded surroundings with gardens and mature trees. The heart of the lodge has comfortable lounges, open fires and walls adorned with past trout fishing trophies.

Bayleys’ National Hotels, Tourism and Leisure Director, Wayne Keene, says Tongariro Lodge’s prestigious reputation, diversified business activities and exciting future development potential heighten its buyer appeal.

“This world-famous lodge currently caters primarily for high-end guests seeking to enjoy the fishing and great outdoors in privacy, intimacy and style.

To complement this, especially in the winter months, its owners have developed other business streams such as conferences, corporate retreats and weddings.

“The variety of revenue streams enabled Tongariro Lodge to recover very quickly post-pandemic. The increasing return of international travellers, favourable exchange rates and expanding airline capacity – coupled with burgeoning local demand – have positioned the operation ideally for a future of strong growth,” says Keene.

He says a new owner could capitalise on growing demand by taking advantage of three potential development sites within the existing compound, which offer the chance to double the current accommodation offering.

“Alternatively, buyers could choose to concentrate on keeping the lodge small and exclusive, while continuing to trade on its huge international profile – as seen in major fishing and travel publications and TV shows,” Keene says.

While Tongariro Lodge is famous for its position on New Zealand’s most acclaimed trout fishing river, it is also on the doorstep of the Tongariro Crossing, the country’s most popular one-day walk, and a wealth of other activities such as golf at renowned courses, skiing, rafting and mountain biking.

Positioned midway between Auckland and Wellington, the lodge is highly accessible with Turangi less than three kilometres away and Taupo, with its airport, within around 40 minutes’ drive.

Tongariro Lodge is available for sale by way of Private Treaty.

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