Enquire
Enquire
Written By: - 14 Dec, 2023
Set in Rotorua’s untouched heartland, Treetops Lodge & Estate is a luxurious retreat unlike any other—offering exclusive use of 70km (35 miles) of private hiking trails through ancient native forest. After your walk, rejuvenate with a soak in the outdoor Forest Spa and dine on estate-harvested game, trout, and herbs. With only 13 villas and suites, this is New Zealand wilderness, reimagined for the luxury traveller.
This is genuine, secluded natural wilderness. All guests can experience unprecedented private hiking and adventure trails providing spectacular views: ancient rainforest, four waterfalls and lakes, seven trout fishing streams, as well as the opportunity to get up close to the estate’s wildlife.
Located near Rotorua, New Zealand’s famous therapeutic thermal and trout-fishing region, the nature estate includes 99% evergreen native trees and tree ferns—found nowhere else on earth. Many areas of the estate have never been developed, leaving rich native bird life to be experienced. Every guest receives a map with guides to extensive safe, self-guided walks. The maps detail native flora, fauna, birds, and identify the various wildlife that might be seen. Enjoy native bird watching, observing deer or buffalo herds, and discover local herbs and food used by the indigenous Māori for cooking and medicinal purposes. Ask about our gourmet backpack lunches too!
There is a choice of 11 Treetops graded hikes—graded A to C (easy, moderate and difficult) with length from 1.5 to 4 hours. To help plan routes, the Treetops Guide Map outlines key features of each walk, the route is described and any crossing walks. Read more about our most popular hikes.
Bridal Veil Falls Walk
Bridal Veil Falls Walk
A must—Bridal Veil Falls Walk is short 1-2 hour walk (graded A ) takes in a spectacular waterfall; and in summer, a perfect swimming hole. The hike is mostly through forest and crosses a number of bridged streams.
Stairway to Heaven and Dream Stream Trail
Discover a wide variety of habitats available on the estate: from mature forest, to one of the last remaining native Rimu tree groves, both extremely picturesque with waterfalls, streams, and wildlife. Stop for a swim in the Treetops Lake on return. Stairway to Heaven and Dream Stream Trail (graded B) require moderate fitness, allow 2-3 hours.
Discovery Trail
A hike for the fit and adventurous. The Discovery Trail is steep, with rewarding spectacular views and the most potential for encountering wildlife. Graded C, this is a 4 hour hike.
At day’s end, after a hot soak in an under the forest wooden jacuzzi tub in our Forest Spa, our team of dedicated chefs will create a dining experience embracing the Treetops Estate to Plate philosophy. This features ingredients reared or grown on this vast estate that is almost 100% pesticide free. The fare includes world-class game and trout, highlights estate-grown fruit and vegetables plus unique native herbs from the forest. To accompany, a selection from a superb wine cellar of New Zealand and international wines, with expert advice on best possible matches.
Rates vary due to season, all include pre-dinner drinks and canapes, a four course degustation dinner and gourmet breakfast.*
Forest Spa
A Wealth of Experiences
Treetops also offers a range of Signature Experiences; providing unequalled personal interaction with the natural heritage and native wilderness. The lodge’s dedicated Forest Spa offers unique health-giving Māori rituals and traditional treatments. Treetops extends a personal invitation to their sister lodge, Kinloch Manor & Villas, which is a base for the famed Tongariro Crossing Day Hike and boasts the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, The Kinloch Club.
About Treetops Lodge & Estate
Nestled in 2,500 acres of 800 year old native forest, this award-winning luxury lodge is a life-long dream realised by owner and passionate naturalist John Sax. This uniquely New Zealand experience is a sanctuary and retreat of breath-taking terrain, offering the ultimate in world-class accommodation and adventure.
Located outside Rotorua, the Maori heartland and trout fishing capital of the world, the luxury lodge offers 13 elegant, ecology-inspired rooms and villas. Their architectural style is derived from the country’s pioneering past, timber and stone finished, and inspired by the natural beauty and simplicity of the great outdoors. Treetops offers seven streams, on-site trout fishing, four lakes and over 70km of adventure trails.
Treetops Sustainability and Tiaki Promise
As New Zealanders, we respect our land and sea, the interaction of the people who live here, and the values of our guests who stay. Informing how we manage our lodge is the desire to achieve the best results for ecological and social sustainability. Read more about our story.
*T&Cs Apply
