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A waiter sets a cheese board on a table with wine bottles and glasses on a patio overlooking a river in New Zealand.

Around the Table

THE DINING EXPERIENCE

At Huka Lodge, the day has its own rhythm: breakfast by the Waikato, lunch between adventures, drinks as evening settles in, and dinner shaped by the season.

Breakfast is served daily from 7–10:30 a.m., with lunch from Noon–2:30 p.m. Evenings begin with drinks and canapés from 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner from 6 p.m.

Lake Taupō’s rainbow and brown trout cannot be bought or sold, so the only way to taste the local catch is to catch it yourself.

Huka Lodge’s underground wine cellar holds around 4,500 bottles, with New Zealand vintages forming the heart of the collection.

Breakfast honeycomb is cut straight from the estate’s own hives, bringing one of New Zealand’s signature flavors directly to the table.

Native ingredients make their way onto Huka Lodge menus, including peppery kawakawa and pāua served in its brilliantly colored shell.

A dining table set for two with a vase of red roses, salt and pepper grinders, and placemats, surrounded by upholstered seating.

MORNINGS BY THE RIVER

Breakfast

Person dining outdoors beside a river at Huka Lodge, with a small bridge and forested hills in the background.

Ease into the day overlooking the Waikato, where rushing water provides the soundtrack and fresh New Zealand produce fills the table.

A MIDDAY PAUSE

Lunch

Slice of seared steak served with roasted beets, pureed parsnip, and microgreens on a white plate, with cutlery and a glass of red wine.

Settle in by the fire or take a seat on the terrace overlooking the gardens and Waikato, with a light, seasonal menu built around local New Zealand produce.

AN EVENING AT HUKA

Dinner

A glass of amber liquid sits on a saucer with a small dessert on a table in front of a cozy fireplace with antique sconces.

Start with drinks and canapés in the lounge before settling in for courses shaped by the seasons and flavors of New Zealand.

A LOOK AT THE MENU

See what’s being served at Huka Lodge, where seasonal ingredients guide each dish and its wine pairing. What arrives at the table evolves throughout the year, giving each season its own flavor.

Two cocktails served with a straw in one and a dried orange slice in the other.

A TOAST TO TAUPŌ

The Bar

Warmly lit bar lounge area with comfortable seating and spirits displayed at Huka Lodge.

Local small-batch spirits share the bar with premium labels, ready for cocktails before dinner or a fireside nightcap afterward.

BENEATH THE LODGE

The Wine Cellar

An intimate subterranean wine cellar dining setup lined with racks of wine bottles at Huka Lodge.

Some 4,500 bottles line this underground cellar, where guests can browse the collection or settle in for a private candlelit dinner.

FIRESIDE AT HUKA

The River Room

Guests lounging in comfortable seating inside the elegant River Room at Huka Lodge, Taupo.

A double-sided fireplace anchors this cozy gathering spot, where drinks and conversation come with views across the lawns to the Waikato.

An Itinerary to Inspire

  • Scenic view of the Waikato River from a Lodge Suite at Huka Lodge, featuring large windows and outdoor views of lush greenery.

    Follow the Water

    Huka Lodge
    Duration 4 nights

  • Start Where Huka Began

    Spend your first afternoon on the lawn beside the Waikato River, learning to cast where anglers have come for nearly a century. Stay awhile afterward. The river is reason enough not to rush inside.

    CAST A LINE
    CAST A LINE
  • A guest relaxing during a peaceful morning experience at Huka Lodge in Taupō.

    Wake Up Slowly

    On your first morning, notice the dew still clinging to the leaves and the early light moving through the gardens. Take your coffee outside, listen to the river, and enjoy a few quiet hours with nowhere else to be.

    SAVOR THE SILENCE
    SAVOR THE SILENCE

  • See Taupō From Above

    On your second day, trade the water for the sky. After a morning cruising Lake Taupō, lift off for views of geothermal terraces, volcanic landscapes, Māori rock carvings, and Huka Falls before touching down on the lawn at the lodge.

    TAKE TO THE SKY
    TAKE TO THE SKY
  • By the numbers
    Height of the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings in meters 14
    Acres of parkland surrounding Huka Lodge 17
    Water rushing over Huka Falls every second 220,000 liters
    Years since Lake Taupō’s last major eruption 1,800+
  • A tranquil outdoor experience along the riverbank on the lush grounds of Huka Lodge in Taupō.

    Give the Afternoon to Huka

    By day three, keep an afternoon for nowhere but the lodge. Swim beneath the hedges, wander the gardens, play croquet on the lawn, or find a chair beneath the willows and watch the Waikato River roll past.

    EXPLORE THE LODGE
    EXPLORE THE LODGE

  • Linger Over Dinner

    As evening settles over the river, start with drinks and canapés before taking your seat for dinner. Menus change with the seasons, bringing New Zealand lamb, seafood, native ingredients, and local produce to the table alongside exceptional wines.

    COME TO THE TABLE
    COME TO THE TABLE
  • Sunrise over the Waikato River at Huka Lodge, surrounded by lush green grounds and mature trees.

    Paddle the Waikato

    On your final full day, see the river from a different angle. Paddle through pumice gorges and clear water, keeping an eye out for trout below before stopping for a soak in natural hot springs along the way.

    GET ON THE WATER
    GET ON THE WATER
Sample itinerary

The People Who Shape Your Stay

Kerry Molloy General Manager | Huka Lodge

Kerry has spent more than a decade quietly orchestrating life at Huka, anticipating what guests need before they ask and preserving the effortless hospitality that keeps generations returning.

View Bio
Kerry Molloy, General Manager at Huka Lodge
Clare Walker, Assistant General Manager at Huka Lodge
Perrin Yates, Executive Chef at Huka Lodge
Gloria, Housekeeper at Huka Lodge

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Our specialists can help with the details before your stay.

Get in Touch

Huka Lodge does not offer full in-suite dining, as the lodge is designed around a more convivial dining experience.

Yes. Guests should advise the lodge of any special dietary requirements at the time of reservation so menus can be tailored accordingly. Without advance notice, the kitchen will do its best to accommodate requests using the ingredients available. Meals requiring strict religious observance in their preparation cannot be accommodated.

Breakfast is served from 7–10:30 a.m., with lunch from noon–2:30 p.m. Pre-dinner drinks and canapés begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner from 6 p.m.

No. Dining at Huka Lodge is reserved for in-house guests.

A stay includes a full country breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, and dinner with a daily-changing menu and matched premium wines. Lunch is available separately from the à la carte menu.

Dress is smart casual. Evening attire is elegant, but jackets, ties, and dinner suits are not required.

Children under 16 cannot attend pre-dinner drinks or dine with other guests. Private dining options are available for families, and child-minding can also be arranged for an additional charge.

Yes. Matched premium wines are included with dinner.

Yes. Lunch can be enjoyed fireside in the main lodge or on the terrace overlooking the gardens and Waikato River. Private dining is also available in several locations throughout the property, including the Wine Cellar.

Please note, Cottage guests may reserve one night of signature dining during their stay. Lodge Suite guests may reserve one night of signature dining, subject to availability, with additional nights considered as venues allow.

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