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2012 GUEST INFORMATION GUIDE
Welcome to Birds Ferry Lodge and Ferry Mans Cottage on the magnificent West Coast of the
Southern Alps New Zealand. There is nowhere in New Zealand like the fabulous West Coast
of the Southern Alps!
From fascinating heritage and stunning landscapes to must do adventure activities and out of the way luxury retreats.
So much to do……
Whether you’re seeking relaxation in the peace and quiet of New Zealand’s pure green landscapes, or nail biting, thrill
seeking action, this part of the West Coast has it all. From jet boating, to adventure tours, from mountain biking to
white or ‘black’ water rafting.
From historic Denniston, to New Zealand’s longest swing bridge. If you are here for the action, you won’t be
disappointed. And if you are not an adventure seeker, then our selection of walks will give you lots to choose from.
Andre will guide you if you wish and if your stay is for 2 nights or more than a guided walk of our 33 acre (15HA)
property is complimentary. Keen mountain bikers (all abilities) will discover some memorable rides and Andre can assist
with this......since he is a keen mountain biker!
Contact us if you’d like us to prebook any activities: info@birdsferrylodge.co.nz ! Enjoy your stay!
Andre and Alison Gygax
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Alison’s comment: “Guest feedback from this trip is
110% positive over the last 8 years–informative fun
guides, small friendly groups, great cave formations
and the best glow worm display in New Zealand Oh!
and a train ride through rain forest too!”
We have selected a range of fantastic
activities for you near Birds Ferry Lodge...
Norwe st Adventures, Charle ston
10 Minutes South of Birds Ferry Lodge
Underworld Rafting is a very special Cave Rafting
Adventure in the Paparoa National Park. Take the
rainforest train through primeval rain forest, explore
an enormous calcitic cave paradise complete with an
abundance of stalactites and stalagmites. Float
through incredible Glow‐worm lit grottoes and have
fun bouncing down the Nile River rapids.
The Charleston Glow‐worm Cave Tour is a superb
eco‐cave tour where you travel by the rainforest
train through primeval rain forest and explore the
enormous Nile River Caves. You walk amidst a
pristine ancient “wonderland” of stalactites and
stalagmites & “galaxies” of Glow‐worms.
The Charleston Nile River Rainforest Train is a short
interpretative train ride in open carriages through
primeval rain forest in to the magnificent Nile River
Canyon. You pass through the film sites for the “The
Lost World” film production and have time for a
short walk to the Nile River Suspension Bridge.
Web: www.caverafting.com
Tel: 0800 116686/ 03 788 8168
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Alison’s comment: “Andre and I have both explored
the mine at Denniston – this is an amazing trip that
really brings alive the harsh way of life in the early
pioneering days. A must if you have read “The
Denniston Rose”
The Denniston Experience
Learn what life was like over 100 years ago as a miner at
Denniston. See: http://www.denniston.co.nz
Tours include: a train ride along the old coal transport
rope road high above the Waimangaroa Gorge‐ an
interactive mine experience in the historic 1880's Banbury
Coal Mine. Limited seats so Booking required. Call 0800
881 880
Buller Adventure Tours,
Westport ‐15 Minutes north
Jet Boat the Buller River, Horse trekking and Quad Biking
daily.
Web: www.adventuretours.co.nz
Tel: 0800 697 286
Kayaking on the Porirari River
Punakaiki ‐ 30 Minutes South
Punakaiki Canoes offers rental kayak trips and guided trips
into the heart of the Paparoa National Park, 1km north of
the Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki and 30
Minutes drive South of Birds Ferry Lodge.
Web: www.riverkayaking.co.nz
Tel: 03 73 11 870
Golf
Carters Beach (15 minutes) is home to a highly acclaimed
& friendly 18 hole links golf course. Clubs available and
non‐members welcome.
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Alison’s comment: “We have seen the beautiful
knives that our guests have spent a day making
at Barrytown – they were works of art and
something that will last a lifetime.”
Coal Town Museum Westport
Historical Exhibitions. Open Daily except Christmas Day.
Our displays include a true‐to‐life coalmine, one of the 20
ton brake drums used on the famous Denniston incline,
also one of the wagons suspended at the amazing 450
angle on which the incline operated. Tel: 03 789 8204
Barrytown Knifemaking
Come and make a knife in our backyard ‐ you'll amaze
yourself! You get to forge your own blade from red hot
steel, and complete your knife with native timber handle,
brass bolsters and pins. Web:
www.barrytownknifemaking.com / Tel: 0800 256 433
Beauty Treatments
We are also host to “Coastal Beauty Treatments” offering
a wide range of beauty therapy services available at Birds
Ferry Lodge .
Contact us at Birds Ferry Lodge for more details or to
book, phone 03 429 1604.
Mountain Biking
Various tracks for all abilities. Andre will be happy to
accompany you.
Heaphy day trip highly recommended for coastal scenery
(winter only)
Denniston and Lyall & Old Ghost Road –(both new)
check this out www.oldghostroad.org.nz
Staying Connected ‐ Wifi
Wifi is available at Birds Ferry Lodge and Ferry Mans
Cottage. First 50mb is free then charges apply. Free Wifi
and use of computers is available at the public Library in
Westport during opening hours. Internet is also available
at Westport I site and Habitat Sports.
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Andre’s comment: “You won’t need to ask me
twice about doing the Brommilaw Track – I am
up for it any time it is such a special day out. Be
sure to book this!
Top 6 walks in the area
1. Charming Creek
Time: 3 hours one way, Distance: 6.8 km
Accessible from Ngakawau or behind Seddonville,
an old railway formation passes through an area
packed with botanic and geological interest. Historic
features include tunnels, sawmill and coal mine
remains. A scenic highlight is a suspension bridge
giving an unfolding view of the Mangatini Falls. There
are shorter walking options from both ends.
2. Heaphy Track, located by Karamea at the north‐west
corner of the South Island, is the longest of the DOC
Great Walks. For 82 kilometres the track crosses the
Park’s range of landscapes and finishes at
Collingwood.
3. Charleston Bays
Stunning clifftop coastal scenery and BIG waves!
Allow 1 hour. There are 2 new tracks called The Argyll
and The Bromielaw that are 2‐3 hours each. They are
open to the public but not advertised. Ask Andre for
more information.
4. The Charleston Nile River Rainforest Walk takes
you through ancient rain forest in to the magnificent
Nile River limestone Canyon. Allow 1 hour
5. Brommilaw Track
This is a ‘private’ track maintained by and for the local
community and Andre will be happy to show you this
as part of a half day excursion. The track takes in
coastal scenery, cliff tops, rain forest and some
historic mining features. There is a lunch spot with
ocean views and a summer swimming opportunity.
Baby Fur Seals are seen on this track at certain times
of the year.
6. Tauranga Bay & Seal Colony
The Cape Foulwind Walkway takes you along the cliff
tops. The Seals are 5 minutes’ walk from the Tauranga
Bay car park and you can continue along the cliff tops
to the lighthouse end, which takes 1 hour. Tauranga
Bay has relative safe swimming and the surfing is
usually good. On the south side of the bay is a small
cafe/restaurant called The Bay House.
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Alison’s comment: “Park up the car for the day and
enjoy the surrounding here or allow Andre to do the
driving for you – you will gain a vast knowledge of
our area and lifestyle.”
Top 5 Guided Activities by Andre and
Alison!
1. Full day local sights with Andre in our passenger
vehicle, Punakaiki and Charleston with ocean view
lunch included.
2. Half Day Denniston introduction. Accompany Andre in
our passenger vehicle to Denniston where he will help
you get the lie of the land and point out the many and
varies historical and natural features there. It is
possible to combine this trip with the Mine
experience too and make a day of it. Take out Lunches
available.
3. Brommilaw Track guided with Andre – this track is
unmarked – you will not find this one on your own.
Spectacular Coastal scenery, rain forest flora and
fauna interpretation and seals. Swimming in Summer.
Lunch with a view included.
4. Half acre vegetable Garden and ‘menagerie’ tour with
Alison.(Chicken, pheasants, guinea fowl, native
Kakariki and Quail) Learn about the huge variety of
produce that we grow for the Lodge kitchen. Collect
your own eggs from the nest for breakfast.
5. Holistic Massage at Birds Ferry Lodge. Enjoy a wind
down with a Holistic Massage treatment from Andre.
60 or 90 minutes. Holistic means 'whole' this form of
massage deals with you as a 'whole'. The aim is to
rebalance the body so it achieves homeostasis or
balance. The training for the therapist is quite
extensive, as it not only covers massage, but also
anatomy and physiology and general health.
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Alison’s comment:
“How lucky I am to be able to grow prepare cook and serve all of this fabulous produce that grown so well
here on the Coast.
I feel very privileged and hope that you will allow me to cook for you too!”
Dinner options
Dinner is available at Birds Ferry Lodge or you may
have a Cottage Dinner delivered to Ferry Man’s
Cottage – both options mean you can kick back and
relax and no one needs to worry about driving!
Bookings Essential to avoid disappointment.
Local Restaurants’ menus available in your room
compendium
Birds Ferry Lodge
‘Autumn 2012 Dinner Menu’
Salad of Lentils, Homegrown Courgettes, Peppers
and Grilled West Coast Goat Haloumi
Grass fed Canterbury Beef
Rib Eye Steaks cooked on the Barbeque
Balsamic Onion Confit
Homegrown Sweetcorn and Freshly Dug Potatoes
Steamed Blackcurrant Pudding
Creme Anglaise
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Alison’s comment: “When breakfast is booked
we include a loaf of homemade bread......along
with homemade jams.”
Ferry Man’s Cottage Dinners
‘Cottage Dinners’ – a two course home cooked meal
prepared from fresh local ingredients on a “trust the chef
“basis– we supply this to the cottage, ready for your re
heat at your leisure. So if you fancy a night in with no
cooking just let us know. 24 hours’ notice essential,
subject to availability of ingredients, $45 per person, $35
when more than 2 are eating. Wine $39 per bottle.
Cottage Dinner suggestions:
Mains
Braised Lamb Shanks cooked with red wine, fresh
rosemary and creamy mash.
Baked Moroccan Chicken with Pumpkin and Rice
Navarin of Lamb Chops with fresh vegetables and herbs
Homemade fish pie with puff pastry or potato top
Contains sardines, turbot, mussels, tuna. (You decide!)
Lamb Rogan Josh
Wine Braised Beef with Herby Dumplings
Lancashire hotpot
Thai Chicken Pie
Scandinavian Pork Meatballs with Sour Cream and Herbs
Dessert
Apple & Tamarillo Crumble with Coconut Macadamia and
Oat Topping
Banana and Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding
Dutch Apple Tart and Homemade Icecream
Pumpkin Streusel Cheesecake
Sticky Lime and Passion fruit Delicious
Lemon Delicious Pudding
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