Activity List & Camp Scheduling

Activity List & Camp Scheduling (For schools and other large groups)

A list of activities offered at Ngatuhoa Lodge with their suggested runtime and requirements in order to help teachers and lodge users construct camp timetables.

  • The resident custodian is available to run activities two days per week. Depending on the circumstances and needs of the group, this can be adjusted with his permission.
  • All activities are included in the $25 per person cost. Abseiling and the Te Rere I Oturu falls hike need a few weeks' notice to prepare.
  • It is recommended that you send a copy of your timetable to the custodian (Bookings@ngatuhoa.org.nz) before your camp.
  • Below is a list of activities that could be run while at Ngatuhoa Lodge. Examples of how you may choose to run your activities can be found here

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  1. Te Rere I Oturu Falls Hike
  2. Tent Camping
  3. Low & High Abseil
  4. Ngatuhoa Falls Hike & Swim
  5. Loop Track Hikes
  6. Raft Making
  7. Large Orienteering Course
  8. Mountain Biking
  9. Kayaking
  10. Low Abseil
  11. Jumping Hole
  12. Swimming Hole
  13. Zip-Line
  14. Nature Trail
  15. Nature Trail Study (Custodian Led)
  16. Compass Course
  17. Outdoor cooking
  18. Tubing
  19. Bivouac Construction
  20. Short Orienteering Course
  21. Short Burma Trail
  22. Long Burma Trail
  23. Confidence Course
  24. Tug of War
  25. Solo Sit
  26. Night Walk
  27. Balance Battle Pole
  28. Bush Mindfulness & Meditation
  29. Conservation Trapping Study (Custodian Led)
  30. Off-Grid Living Study (Custodian Led)


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1. Te Rere I Oturu Falls Hike

  • Suggested time: 1 Day
  • Ideal group size: Any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: Starting around 8-9am this hike crosses the Ngatuhoa river and follows the Opuaki river up to the 42 meter waterfall in time for a late lunch and swim. From the waterfall groups normally walk back to the lodge on a nearby forestry road in time for afternoon tea and also to start cooking dinner. The Custodian is often available to lead this hike.

2. Tent Camping

  • Suggested time: 1 night
  • Ideal group size: 4 - any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: The lodge has 6 large canvas bell tents available for use in this activity ($25 per tent per night) . Each tent can sleep 8 people. There is a camp site ideal for this activity 5 minutes away from the lodge.
  • Note: Make sure to check with the custodian on the availability of the campsite as this is often booked out separately.

3. Low & High Abseil

  • Suggested time: 2 hours
  • Ideal group size: 8 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 2:10
  • Note: This activity is intended to allow participants to abseil both the lower 8m and higher 16m walls. It can be run as a two hour block while other groups are rotating on the hour. The custodian (or qualified instructors) must run this activity.

4. Ngatuhoa Falls Hike & Swim

  • Suggested time: 2 hours
  • Ideal group size: up to 30
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: The hike to the base of the falls from the lodge is approx. 30 minutes. There is good swimming at the base of the waterfall (usually 45 min) leaving enough time for the hike back up to the lodge of around 40 min.

5. Loop Track Hikes

  • Suggested time: 1-6 hours (or more depending)
  • Ideal group size: Any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: Several options of loop tracks available all varying in difficulty.
  • 6. Raft Making
  • Suggested time: 2 hours
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: Raft making requires participants to construct rafts to float on from one side of the kayak canal to the other. Some materials are provided by the lodge.

7. Large Orienteering Course

  • Suggested time: 1 hour 45 mins
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 20
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: Two way radios are provided for this activity. All locations are on marked trails.

8. Mountain Biking

  • Suggested time: 1-2 hours
  • Ideal group size: 2 - 10
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: The lodge has 10 bikes available to use for this activity. It is recommended that adults bring their own bikes. There are three trails to ride; easy, medium and difficult. The easy trail does not venture from gravel roads whereas the difficult stays mostly on dirt trails.

9. Kayaking

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 2:10
  • Note: The kayaking canal is fed from the Ngatuhoa river and is mostly waist deep with a gentle flow. There is plenty of space to swim for those not interested in Kayaking.

10. Low Abseil

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 8 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: The custodian (or qualified instructors) must run this activity.

11. Jumping Hole

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 2:10
  • Note: The jumping hole and swimming holes are within 50 meters of each other and can be combined into one activity if needed.

12. Swimming Hole

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 2:10
  • Note: The jumping hole and swimming holes are within 50 meters of each other and can be combined into one activity if needed.

13. Zip-Line

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 3:10
  • Note: A minimum of 4 adults must be trained by the custodian in order to use this activity. Each adult takes roughly 5 minutes to train.

14. Nature Trail

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: A sign posted and informational walk on a short trail identifying native trees. Information books are provided with an optional quiz at the end.

15. Nature Trail Study (Custodian Led)

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: up to 30
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:15
  • Note: A practical and more in depth group study of the various native plant life, its history and relation to larger ecosystems in the area. We also look at the local bird and river life and the impact of invasive species of various kinds.

16. Compass Course

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: This activity stays within view of the lodge and mainly operates on the lodge lawn.

17. Outdoor Cooking

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: The outdoor BBQ cooking area has 4 fire pits for this activity. Firewood, flints and cast iron tops are provided by the lodge.

18. Tubing

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 2:10
  • Note: The lodge provides inner tubes for this activity. Helmets are not required but are available for participants to use.

19. Bivouac Construction

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: The lodge will provide tarpaulins.

20. Short Orienteering Course

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10

21. Short Burma trail

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10

22. Long Burma trail

  • Suggested time: 1 hour 45 mins
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: This Burma trail has an ankle deep creek crossing in the middle.

23. Confidence Course

  • Suggested time: 45 minutes
  • Ideal group size: 4 - 15
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10

24. Tug of war

  • Suggested time: 10-30 minutes
  • Ideal group size: 4 - any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: N/A

25. Solo sit

  • Suggested time: 10 min to 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 4 - any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10
  • Note: The campsite is often available for this activity

26. Night walk for glow worms and other nightlife.

  • Suggested time: 10 min to 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 4 - any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10

27. Balance Battle Pole

  • Suggested time: 10 min to 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:10

28. Bush Mindfulness & Meditation

  • Suggested time: 10 min to 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: 2 - any
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:20

29. Conservation Trapping Study (Custodian Led)

  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Ideal group size: up to 30
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:20
  • Note: Our custodian demonstrates and teaches how to use traps for invasive species such as possums and rats. We investigate what these pests eat, what to look for and see their impact in the area.

30. Off-Grid Living Study (Custodian Led)

  • Suggested time: 1-1.5 hours
  • Ideal group size: up to 30
  • Adult / Child Ratio: 1:20
  • Note: A behind the scenes look and lesson of how the lodge operates covering hydro power generation, water pumps, water purification methods and sewage treatment.


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