Reviews
We take pride in offering more than just a place to stay — we provide an experience. Set on 3 hectares of peaceful, open grounds with the lake right at our doorstep, our accommodation blends comfort with the beauty of the outdoors. Groups enjoy well-appointed ensuite bedrooms, access to a range of on-site activities, and the space to truly unwind.
But don’t just take our word for it — hear what others have to say about their time with us.
The Year 12 Southland Girls High School Agribusiness class stayed at the Kohaka Lodge on our recent trip to the Te Anau basin. The accommodation was fantastic and a great base for us during the trip. The kitchen and lounge facilities were clean, tidy and well equipped with everything we needed for our stay. The girls also enjoyed having ensuite bathrooms in their rooms. Jason the operations manager was great to deal with super organised and answered any questions I had before arrival. Would thoroughly recommend any school group to stay in this great accommodation in a beautiful part of the world. - Kate Gilchrist (Southland Girls High School)
Aurora College has had four trips to the beautiful Fiordland area over the past six months staying at the John McGlashan College Te Anau Downs Campus. The trips have catered for students from Years 7 to 13. We found the venue to be ideal in both location and facilities regardless of the size of the group. The Operations Manager, Jason, made everything so easy and was amazing in his interaction with our Rangatahi. We can't wait to go back again! - Anna Crosswell (Aurora College)
We recently had the privilege of taking our senior Geography students to Te Kūwaha Mātauraka, located in the heart of Fiordland. The camp provided the perfect balance of education, adventure, and immersion in the natural beauty of Aotearoa, right on the doorstep of our largest national park. The camp was exceptionally well-organised. The accommodation was of a very high standard—clean, comfortable, and well-suited to the needs of our group. The cooking facilities were excellent, allowing us to fully cater to all students, including those with specific dietary requirements with ease. A special mention must go to Jason, the camp manager, whose support and hospitality made a significant difference to our experience. He went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed throughout our stay at Te Kūwaha Mātauraka. - Mike Bishop (Southland Girls - HOF - Social Sciences)
St Hilda's Collegiate was thrilled to relocate our Year 12 PE camp to Te Anau Downs, Te Kūwaha Mātauraka. A fantastic location for endless activities in Fiordland. We enjoyed staying in the Kohaka accommodation, students were treated to rooms with en-suites and enjoyed preparing their kai in the well-resourced kitchen. Jason's guidance with what activities we could do in the lead up to camp was hugely valued. We look forward to returning next year! - Monique Grant (St Hildas College)
Having a self-contained base in Fiordland is an awesome opportunity for a drive in and out style of research camp. We were able to access the entire area and this opens up lots of opportunities for covering multiple contexts and standards. Jason is a welcoming host, and the facilities have everything our students need for a comfortable and memorable experience. - Michael LaPierre (Wakatipu High School)
Great location for a school camp which made planning easy, we were able to do all of our chosen activities biking, fishing, boating, kayaking and tramping right on the doorstep of the camp. We were also close enough to Te Anau for activities in the town and of course a boat trip to the Glow Worm Caves. The facility itself has everything that is needed to cater for a large group of students, just remember to read the signs in the kitchen to avoid activating the smoke alarms! We would highly recommend this venue as a place to take your students. Dion Hourston (Waiau Area School)