Ngatuhoa Lodge can sleep 50 people. In the main lodge building there are six bunk rooms: Four 8-bunk rooms One 4-bunk room One 14-bunk room There is under-floor heating in five of the rooms. The main dining room is heated with a large wood-burner stove. There is a video player and monitor for watching videos but no TV reception. The reference library contains books on native trees, ferns, birds, insects to help with doing bush and stream studies.

The kitchen and BBQ shed are fully equipped. The kitchen has: Two 6-burner gas stove's with oven's A wood stove A commercial-sized toaster Microwave Domestic freezer Plenty of large pots, pans, bowls and serving utensils. Occupants should bring their own personal cutlery and plates. The outside barbeque shed has: A large walk-in chiller A wood-fired heater to heat water for washing up Several barbeque fires; Firewood supplies.

The Recreation Hall is ideal for group activities Its ideal for lectures, performances and other indoor recreational activities. This hall is not a bunkroom except in an emergency - such as being rained out from the campsite - it can sleep 35 people.

The ablution block is behind the main lodge. It has: Separate male/female areas Outside sinks Several private shower rooms Ramp and disabled access shower/toilet room A drying room for wet clothes - please keep the door closed.

Only 300 meters from the lodge, but in its own private setting, is a campsite which schools can use to accommodate a second group. The site is below the Ngatuhoa weir and is accessible by vehicle. You will need to bring your own tents and equipment. Facilities here include: a roofed shelter with pantry wood shed cold water taps a large fireplace for hot water and cooking Two long-drop toilets Please light fires in dedicated fireplaces only. If the students are cooking in groups, gas stoves must be used.

Our custodian/instructor is resident at the lodge for most of the year. The instructor can provide: Advice and instruction in bush craft Supervise abseiling Lead hikes Supervise other learning activities for school parties. Availability of resident instructor is restricted to 2 days a week for instructional roles, as he has numerous other duties, maintaining plant and equipment. Pest Plant and Pest Animal control takes up a considerable amount of his time also. Please bear this in mind when requesting his assistance for your programme. Other outside recreational experts are available for hire to assist with your schools programme, please ask either the booking officer or the custodian. The Quality of experience for your students at the lodge is enhanced if you stay for the week. Note: The ultimate responsibility for safety and discipline falls to the leaders or organisers of the group. The custodian may be available for activities by prior arrangement for weekend groups at an extra charge. Justin Van Haght is the Lodge's current Custodian ( 07 2811356 evenings) ngatuhoa@farmside.co.nz

Nursery and propagation house Planting programme Pest control programme Hydro-electric station Hydraulic water pump Solar panels Worm farm 3-stage sewage and waste water treatment Wet-back and marshall heater for heating water bio-degradable cleaning products The Hydro Electric Power Station produces a constant Load which goes into water Heating with a load shedding device that transfers power to lights, cool store etc; Surplus hot water goes to underfloor heating and/or drying room, but only when it reaches a set Temperature. That is the reason for timers on the ablution lights. Leave lights on or waste hot water there will be no surplus for the drying room or underfloor heating.

4 hours return Walk to the end of Frankham's Road (1½ to 2 hours). The track from here is relatively easy, and leads you to the Opuiaki River at the Whio Falls. Travel downstream to the top of the Te Rere I Oturu Falls. From here it is about a 10-15 minute walk along a cliff edge (warning, dangerous drop) and then a descent to the base of the Te Rere I Oturu Falls. Return via Top Track to Frankham's Road.

1 hour return This trail starts by the carpark, zigzags up the ridge above the lodge and joins up to the Loop Track. You can return via the abseiling cliff trail. There are interpretive signs along the trail, thanks to Environment Bay of Plenty's Environmental Enhancement Fund.

1 hour return Follow the metal road past the first canal. At the start of the second canal, take the track leading off to the left, following the old logging road. This track veers to the right, well downstream of the falls and descends into a gully. Once at the bottom, go upstream to the foot of the falls. About 40 metres high and in two tiers, the falls are impressive. The large pool at the base is safe for swimming and there are eels in the pools downstream. Take care as rocks can be slippery.

5-6 hours return The Overland Track takes about 3 ½ to 4 hours to reach the falls and there are two river crossings. The track starts at the swing bridge across Ngatuhoa Stream, just opposite the lodge. It climbs the old logging road up to a plateau then takes you south to the Opuiaki River gorge. Here it descends to the river and takes you upstream to the base of the falls. For the return journey, follow Top Track to Frankham's Road. Walk down the road for 1½ to 2 hours to return to the lodge. Alternatively, once reaching Frankham's Road, walk down it for about 100m then head down to Ngatuhoa Stream and follow it downstream back to the lodge. This will add an extra hour to your hike and needs to be led by an experienced tramper.

4-5 hours return Walk along Frankham's Road for about 3 km (approx 1 ½ hours) till you reach the Top Track sign. Follow the track into the gorge - the terrain makes it tough going - and after 20 - 30 minutes you should reach a fork. To go the top of the falls, go left. To go to the base, go right and a steep track and ladder will take you all the way down.