Take a short walk to Sharplin Falls or Woolshed Creek and you’ll be in a mountain beech forest surrounded by rata, filmy ferns, native orchids, honey dew, Bellbirds, Fantails, Tom Tits, Rifleman and New Zealand's native Wood Pigeon, the Kereru.

In contrast, drive inland from Mt Somers and visit the pristine lakes, which act as the main nesting area for the endangered Great Crested Grebe.

Lakes Heron, Emma, Camp, Clearwater and Maori Lakes also provide a fantastic chance to see New Zealand Scaup, Australian Coot, Black Swans and five species of duck.

The expanding Hakatere Conservation Park currently extends over 50,000 hectares, offering many recreational opportunities including swimming, boating, tramping, climbing, skiing, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking, camping, natural history appreciation, fossicking, horse riding and fishing. The Mount Hutt Conservation Area is home to a fascinating variety including edelweiss, vegetable sheep, black cotula, alpine daisies and buttercup.

Professional guides are available for eco-tourism, bird-watching and photography tours.

Please visit our bookings page if you would like assistance with making an activity booking. Our booking service is available to you at NO EXTRA COST.