Person holds mug, enjoying view of green river and lush forest from a lodge window with ferns and palm trees.

At the River’s Edge

HUKA LODGE

More than a century of history has shaped this place, yet the river still sets the tone.

What began as a fishing camp in 1924 has grown into a lodge set across 17 acres along the Waikato River. Gardens, lawns, and mature trees surround the suites and shared spaces, while the river remains a constant presence throughout the property.

20 Luxury Suites: Set across 17 acres of landscaped grounds, with the Waikato River never far from view.
2 Private Residences: Tucked away from the main lodge for more space, privacy, and time together.
What’s Included: With breakfast, pre-dinner drinks, canapés, dinner, a suggested wine pairing with dinner, and an in-suite minibar taken care of.
Bespoke Experiences: Across Lake Taupō, Tongariro National Park, and the landscapes beyond the lodge.
An Enduring Legacy: Beginning as a riverside fishing camp in 1924 and still shaped by the river today.
Return Airport Transfers: To and from Taupō Airport, so your stay begins from the moment you arrive.

EXPLORE THE LODGE

Spaces with a Story

Move between the sunlit Terrace, the fireside River Room, and the subterranean wine cellar, where private dinners unfold among some of the world’s most revered vintages. Each space offers a different way to experience the lodge and its riverside setting.

MEET OUR PEOPLE

The Team Behind the Stay

Huka Lodge brings together hospitality professionals from New Zealand and around the world, united by a deep respect for the property and a distinctly Kiwi way of welcoming guests. Behind every effortless moment is a team that knows the lodge, the region, and the value of thoughtful service.

THE ART OF DINING WELL

From the Kitchen

The menu starts fresh each day, shaped by what has arrived in the kitchen and what’s growing nearby. Executive Chef Perrin and his team turn New Zealand lamb, seafood, garden vegetables, and other local ingredients into dinner, with tomorrow’s menu taking its cue from something new.

OUR GUEST LIST

A Century of Notable Guests

The guest book holds plenty of familiar names, but few returned as often as Queen Elizabeth II. She visited four times during her reign, favoring a particular seat at the dinner table and enjoying the gardens that reminded her of Scotland.

REST AND RESTORE

The Wellness Grounds

Huka Spa, a gym, sauna, contrast ice shower, and steaming hot pool sit among the trees near the Waikato River. Inspired by the traditional Kiwi bach, the spaces feel informal and at home in their surroundings.

A CONSIDERED EYE

Inside and Out

Virginia Fisher’s interiors give the lodge the ease of a private home, with warm, layered spaces that open naturally to the outdoors. Beyond them, Suzanne Turley’s gardens move between manicured lawns and looser plantings, allowing the landscape to feel increasingly wild toward the river.

Books including "Wild Walks" and "Man on the Mountain" rest on a table in a lounge with a large window and plaid pillows.

IN GOOD HANDS

A Legacy of Stewardship

A lit fireplace is centered in a room with decorative wall paneling, flanked by lanterns. A framed portrait and decorative ducks sit on the mantel.

Alex van Heeren transformed the former fishing lodge into an intimate retreat known far beyond New Zealand, while preserving what made it special. That same care has carried through every chapter since, with each custodian understanding the responsibility of looking after this place.

A Closer Look at Our Story

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN In 1924, Alan Pye opened a fishing camp along the Waikato River.
A NEW KIND OF LODGE In 1984, Alex van Heeren began transforming the camp into an intimate retreat.
A NEW CUSTODIAN In 2021, Huka Lodge joined the collection now known as Beckons.
100 YEARS ON In 2024, a major renovation brought the lodge closer to the river.
THE STORY CONTINUES Today, Huka looks ahead while staying true to its riverside roots.

Site plan map of Huka Lodge showing the layout of accommodations and facilities along the river.

Every Stay Helps Grow Tomorrow

Tomorrow Beckons is Beckons’ regenerative travel program, connecting each lodge with a local organization working to protect the people, wildlife, and landscapes of its region. Guests contribute one percent of their total stay value, with additional support raised through Beckons auctions and raffles.

Powerful turquoise water cascades over rocks amidst lush green trees, suggesting a waterfall.

POSITIVE IMPACT

Built to Use Less

Elegant dining room at Huka Lodge with a fireplace, large windows, and views of the surrounding landscape.

Energy-efficient lighting, double glazing, insulation, low-VOC paints, and natural timbers help reduce Huka Lodge’s footprint without changing the experience of the spaces themselves.

A CIRCULAR APPROACH

From River to Garden

Wooden buckets hang near a circular outdoor plunge pool surrounded by lush green foliage.

Huka Lodge purifies its own Waikato water and treats wastewater on site, with the high-quality output reused to irrigate the gardens and reduce demand on local resources.

PLANTED WITH PURPOSE

Respecting the Wildlife

A New Zealand tui bird with iridescent blue feathers perches on a branch with red and pink buds.

Chemical-free pest control and thoughtful planting help create food and shelter for birds, bees, and other wildlife, allowing the gardens to support the wider ecosystem around the lodge.

CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE

“Nature, in all its drama. The roaring Huka Falls are minutes away, while Taupō’s lakefront and geothermal landscapes offer hot springs, hiking and helicopter excursions across the volcanic plateau.”

Lauren Ho, Wallpaper* August 2025

Discover More

“Quiet luxury pervades every inch of the property, from the custom Rodd & Gunn uniforms on the friendly lodge team to the complimentary mini bar full of New Zealand treats that’s subtly restocked every morning.”

Krysia Bonkowski, delicious. May 2025

Discover More

“Once you enter the main house, past the portraits of visiting royals (including Queen Elizabeth II who visited four times) the tone isn’t regal or pompous; it’s rustic, relaxed, cozy in a handsomely designed way.”

Laurie Werner, Forbes April 2025

Discover More

“Boat charters, back-country fly-fishing, river rafting or, for the true adrenaline-seekers, kayaking down nearby Huka Falls are all options, though many guests opt for more genteel pursuits – a game of croquet or a book by the fireside.”

Trudi Jenkins, Traveller March 2025

Discover More

“Returning lodgers will notice enhancements that include the new “spa huts” inspired by Kiwi baches (a vacation shack) and the reimagining of suites with French doors that open onto the Waikato River and double-sided fireplaces in some.”

Chloe Sachdev, Conde Nast Traveller January 2025

Discover More

A person walks down a carpeted hallway with wooden accents, lined with art and decorative items.

Join Our Team

Family-founded and deeply personal, Beckons is shaped by people who bring their own expertise and perspective to every journey. Join a team whose approach to hospitality has earned consistent recognition among the world’s leading travel awards.

LEARN MORE

Explore Our Collection

At the River’s Edge

HUKA LODGE

Spaces with a Story

The Team Behind the Stay

From the Kitchen

A Century of Notable Guests

The Wellness Grounds

Inside and Out

A Legacy of Stewardship

A Closer Look at Our Story

Explore the Lodge

Every Stay Helps Grow Tomorrow

Built to Use Less

From River to Garden

Respecting the Wildlife

“Nature, in all its drama. The roaring Huka Falls are minutes away, while Taupō’s lakefront and geothermal landscapes offer hot springs, hiking and helicopter excursions across the volcanic plateau.”

“Quiet luxury pervades every inch of the property, from the custom Rodd & Gunn uniforms on the friendly lodge team to the complimentary mini bar full of New Zealand treats that’s subtly restocked every morning.”

“Once you enter the main house, past the portraits of visiting royals (including Queen Elizabeth II who visited four times) the tone isn’t regal or pompous; it’s rustic, relaxed, cozy in a handsomely designed way.”

“Boat charters, back-country fly-fishing, river rafting or, for the true adrenaline-seekers, kayaking down nearby Huka Falls are all options, though many guests opt for more genteel pursuits – a game of croquet or a book by the fireside.”

“Returning lodgers will notice enhancements that include the new “spa huts” inspired by Kiwi baches (a vacation shack) and the reimagining of suites with French doors that open onto the Waikato River and double-sided fireplaces in some.”

Notes From the Field

Join Our Team