Birds Ferry Lodge

About Us
About the Area
The Lodge
The Birds & Activities
Customer Feedback

About Us

With a warm welcome awaiting you, Andre and Alison will both make sure your stay is exciting, informative and very comfortable!

Andre has 17 years experience as a South Island tour guide here in New Zealand, making him well qualified to answer your questions and offer assistance with itineraries. Both knowledgeable and passionate about the surrounding area and its birdlife, Andre will help you make the most of your time watching for native birds and will introduce you to both natives and non-natives on the property.  Andre is also qualified as a holistic massage therapist which is good to know when you've spent the day outdoors.

Alison on the other hand has spent 15 years as a Catering Manager in Scotland. This makes her well qualified to deal with the food and hospitality side of things at Birds Ferry Lodge. She just loves to cook and with a well equipped kitchen, "Aga" and a garden full of produce she has a head start!

 About the Area

Birds Ferry Lodge is situated as one of the more remote South Island Lodges but easily accessible by car being only 2KM from State Highway 6 and also convenient to Westport and Pu

nakaiki. Purpose built on the edge of a glacial terrace, Birds Ferry Lodge overlooks native forest in the valley below and the Tasman Sea beyond. The Lodge is the centre piece of our 33 acre property which you are welcome to explore.

Midway between the  glacier country and the Northern areas of the South Island, this luxury lodge is the perfect spot to break your journey along the West Coast. By far the region's biggest attraction is its geography and wildlife, from the rugged coastline and its spectacular rock formations, the deep gorges and valleys carved by ancient glaciers and the region's many rivers, to the lush rainforests filled with an abundance of unique and wonderful native vegetation and birdlife.
 

The Lodge

 
Birds Ferry Lodge is seamlessly set upon its hilltop where it sits content, quietly musing on the far-reaching, sea-lined views and acres of wild bush clad countryside. The deck on the front of the lodge affords views over the the forest where you can watch the native bellbirds, fantails and tuis amongst the trees. 

The layout of the property includes tracks which you can explore on your own or take a tour with Andre. Included are a number of ponds placed to encourage bird species including pukeko and a variety of both native and non-native ducks.

Here there is no TV, no landline and no clock… just a wealth of peace and seclusion. Guest accommodation is luxurious and private, designed with your comfort in mind. Enjoy luxury bed and breakfast accommodation with the option of enjoying fine food and wines at dinner, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Ferry Man's Cottage offers luxurious holiday home accommodation, set in it's own private 12 acre section at the very end of Birds Ferry Road, forming part of our 33 acre property.  Located on the edge of a small Lake, 2 km from the highway and, with native Wekas, Pukekos and wild ducks as neighbors this is a most peaceful spot. The rare Kiwi can be heard at night here. Set in a very private setting and upon the edge of the larger ponds, this well equipped cottage has everything you need for a more than comfortable setting while you explore the area.

Birds Ferry Lodge has 4.5 Qualmark stars which means that this luxury West Coast lodge accommodation has been independently assessed as 'Excellent'.We are currently Number one on Tripadvisor in this area and we are recommended in both 'Fodors' and 'Rough Guide' to New Zealand.

The Birds & Activities

The semi remote, rural location means that the wildlife is in abundance. The native Weka visits the garden and at night the call of the Kiwi can often be heard from the Lodge. Wild deer have been spotted from the deck and whilst enjoying the spa after dark guests are kept company by our local Common Owl who rests on the back of the chair right beside them! Tui and Bell birds visit the well stocked bird table.  There are well marked tracks which traverse the property and Andre will take you on a tour to view the native species including fernbirds, bellbirds, tuis and weka as well as their own non-natives and aviary where they raise quail, pheasant and more. 
 

Customer Feedback

"This really is a perfect place to stay. Allison and Andre are knowledgable, friendly and skilled in what they do. Alison cooks wonderful food, and Andre is a mine of information, both local and further afield, having been a tour guide in NZ for 17 years. Our two evening dinners were both convivial and delicious, wine is included. The hot tub looks out onto a wonderful view, and there is total peace. We have no hesitation in recommending Birds Ferry Lodge."P+N Poston February 2009

"Of all the places at which we stayed during our week in NZ, BFL was by far our favorite. Alison and Andre made us feel so comfortable, and after only 2 nights there it felt like we were staying with friends rather than at a lodge. Andre's guided tour and discussion of the rest of the property was really special, and Alison's cooking was a real highlight too. We look forward to our next trip to NZ, and we will *definitely* be staying with them again!"
MH December 2008

Media

"Get a taste of authentic West Coast lifetyle at Birds Ferry Lodge, perched above miles of Serengeti like native bush in which Kiwi, Weka and Deer roam freely. Hosts Andre and Alison Gygax offer the complete experience from guided Eco walks to top notch cuisine and locally roasted coffee."
Margot Butcher, Air New Zealand Inflight Magazine, June 2007