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Welcome to Sherwood Lodge - the ideal setting for rest and relaxation.

Activities and Experiences Nearby
For the more active, Sherwood Lodge is ideally placed for all seasons.....

Trout and Salmon Fishing
Many of the nearby rivers, including the Waiau, provide some of the best brown trout and salmon fishing in the country. Craig is a keen fisherman - if he's not too busy, he's always happy to guide guests to his secret spots. We can also book you professional guides to take you further afield or give lessons.
For more information about local guides, see www.charmingcreekadventures.com

Click here for information about fishing in other spectacular parts of New Zealand

Horse Trekking
Partner up with your horse and enjoy riding through farmland and impressive beech forest with spectacular views. Kate and Cathy at Mt Lyford Horse Treks put an emphasis on natural horse riding, lending a whole new dimension to trekking. Novices to experienced riders are catered for, and all rides are guided. Individual treks can be arranged to leave from/return to Sherwood Lodge Luxury Horse Trekking or you can join others leaving from Mt Lyford.

Click here to read more about horse trekking at Sherwood Lodge.

Skiing & Snow Boarding
The South Island of New Zealand is renowned for its ski fields. There are two fields close by to Sherwood Lodge - Mt Lyford and Amuri Ski Areas. Mt Lyford is the closest (you can see the conditions from the front door and be up on the field having your first run within 45 minutes), while Amuri is approximately 1/2 hour's drive above Hanmer Springs. Both are unsophisticated fields, with rope tows and poma's, great powder and it's a busy day if there's more than 100 people on the snow.

Golfing
Several golf courses are found nearby - a mix of relaxed 9 & 12 hole country courses and a couple of more polished 18 hole courses. Our nearest course, Amuri, is a 9 hole course which operates on an honesty system with minimal green fees and fantastic views - you might find yourself playing alone or making conversation with one of the local farmers taking time off on a nice sunny day. Two sets of golf clubs are available at Sherwood Lodge for guests to use, free of charge.

Farm Tours
If you've never been on a sheep farm before, there's nowhere better in the world to experience a tour of a working farm. The high country sheep stations of North Canterbury are both beautiful and rugged, breeding strong, lively sheep with great meat and the best wool around. And they're also home to some fascinating people - the farmers, their workers and of course, their sheep dogs. Just let us know if you'd like to experience a working farm in action - we can arrange a 'quick look' through to a fuller day excursion, as time and inclination suit. Contact us for more information.

Game Hunting
With wild red deer, mountain chamois, and wild pigs close at hand, the surrounding mountains are a hunter's paradise. Hunting guides can easily be arranged if you provide us with sufficient notice, and game can be hung in the chiller before being packaged up and sent on for you if required. Rabbits, hares and possums are regular visitors around the lodge property - if guests want to try their hand at pest control, we're happy to provide the rifle and bullets and some instruction.

Recommended Tours and Experiences
We also recommend the following tours and experiences which are all located within close distance to Sherwood Lodge:

Whale Watching or Swimming with the Dolphins at Kaikoura
One of the most moving sights you can experience is that of a large whale lazily moving alongside your boat, then breaching with its tail fluke up in the air to dive down for more food. For those with a more adventurous bent, getting in the ocean and swimming with the dolphins is an experience never to be forgotten. At just over an hour's drive away, Kaikoura is easily accessible for a day trip of a lifetime. Contact us to make a booking.

New Zealand lodges have access to special experiences of wilderness and wildlife

Mountains to the Sea
A really special trip, both for keen fishermen and for those who've never held a rod before. Experience country and water you'd never get to see without a local at the helm. Be taken by dual purpose jet boat, down the mighty Waiau River, over the bar (an exhilarating experience) and out along the Kaikoura coast. Try your hand at both fresh and salt water fishing on the same trip - with luck and the help of a guide Mark, you'll bring home fresh fish for dinner! Half day (5-6 hours), or full day (10-11 hours). Minimum 1 person, maximum 4 people. Trips are fully catered and all sport and safety equipment provided - all you need to bring is yourself.

Mountain Range Adventuring
Explore the South Island High Country by 4 wheel drive vehicle, selecting a route that will make the most of each season, the conditions of the day and the time you have available. You might traverse alpine passes to reach the picturesque Clarence Valley (a unique trip, normally only experienced by high country sheep musterers) or venture further afield to the Nelson Lakes region or into West coast bush country. Freedom, space and a taste of adventure - this is New Zealand at its best! Trips can be arranged to meet specific interests (fishing, painting, photography, etc) or just for the pure pleasure of enjoying the unique and beautiful South Island high country. For more information on these tours, see: www.rovingadventures.co.nz.

Maori Tours Kaikoura
This tour offers an authentic and very personal experience where Manaakitanga (warmth and hospitality) prevails, in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Run by a local Maori family, Maori Tours Kaikoura offers you probably the best opportunity you can have to experience Maori life in an intimate and genuine way. It's certainly not for the masses and it is for those who want to get 'up close and personal' in their travels within New Zealand. We highly recommend this tour. It takes about 3.5 hours and it will be one of the most rewarding things you do on your holiday if you truly want to get an insight into the culture and lives of modern Maori. For more information or to book, go to www.maoritours.co.nz or contact us and we will arrange the tour for you.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort
If all these excursions tire you out, or you just want to relax and do nothing, a massage or a soak in a hot thermal pool can be just the thing. Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort is just 40 minutes drive from Sherwood and has a range of thermal pools with different temperatures, as well as a health and beauty spa offering various types of massages and treatments.Contact www.hotfun.co.nz for full details.

New Zealand is blessed with an abundance of natural wonders. To find out about other natural wonders near other quality accommodation, click here

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