A little-known upmarket eco- lodge which has been responsible for growing the native kiwi population on its extensive grounds in a remote provincial location has been placed on the market for sale.
Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat located in the hills near the top of the Coromandel Peninsula is a fully functioning 340ha native bird and wildlife sanctuary which also operates as a commercial accommodation business with licensed restaurant and bar.
The venture at 1299 Port Charles Road, Port Charles, was established in 2002 by its current owner/operators - conservationists Bruce and Anne Clegg, whose dream was to blend conservation with tourism.
The 2,250-square metres of buildings encompasses some 18 self-contained accommodation chalets, a stand-alone three-bedroom villa used as part of the accommodation pool, and main lodge building housing the restaurant/commercially outfitted kitchen/bar/function room areas as well as the reception office.
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The lodge’s guest accommodation suites and central communal buildings are situated on a flat area surrounded by bush.
Tangiaro’s single-bedroom chalets charge a nightly rack rate of $240, while the two-bedroom chalets command nightly rack rates ranging from $320 - $380, and the three-bedroom main lodge has a nightly rack rate of $440.
The remotely located tourism and hospitality venture employs two full-time staff and three part-time staff across its food and beverage, rooms, and property maintenance activities.
The chalets and main lodge all have their own kitchenette cooking amenities, with living spaces heated by long wood log burners in line with the venue’s environmental philosophies. Chalets are connected to the restaurant, bar and lounge by metaled pathways.
Additional guest amenities include a quartet of two- and four-person spa pools – each in their own private open-sided cabanas to take maximum advantage of the surrounding lush bush.
A clean freshwater swimming hole and waterfall filled by running water from a creek within the lodge’s block also provides an alterative bathing spot in the bush.
The property also has a fully operational helicopter landing pad which is regularly utilised.
Tangiaro’s native bushland is sheltered by Mount Moehau, and much of the forested landscape is protected by the QE ll Natural Trust.
Tangiaro is noted by the Department of Conservation as being extremely important in the conservation and growth of the kiwi population on the Coromandel Peninsula – additionally introducing guests to conservation and wildlife practices in a beautiful natural setting.
There are more than 50 wild kiwi on the Tangiaro property - one of the highest kiwi populations on privately-owned land in the Northern Coromandel.
Three of the kiwi roaming around Tangiaro are remotely and electronically monitored by the Department of Conservation - giving conservationists a valuable insight into the birds’ movements and habits.
The DOC programme is fully funded by Tangiaro and includes six-monthly health checks of the birds.
Kaka, tui, kereru, kingfisher and fantail can also be regularly seen and heard from the restaurant/café deck.
The freehold land and buildings sustaining Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat at 1299 Port Charles Road, along with the going concern accommodation and hospitality business, are being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Hamilton, with the tender process closing on March 9.
Salesperson Josh Smith said that even though the idyllic destination had been trading as the Coromandel Peninsula’s largest eco- lodge for some two decades, it was widely unknown as being a premier eco’-founded tourism venue.
“The property’s current owners have considerable experience in establishing and growing the lodge’s infrastructure and amenities, but marketing of the venue has been minimal.
"Tangiaro has literally operated on a word-of-mouth basis. This is one of the big opportunities for any new owner to embrace – lifting marketing and promotion of the lodge to a new level,” said Smith.
“Concurrent with increasing occupancy rates, there is also the potential for adding to the accommodation pool – as there are numerous sites and pockets within the core compound area where new units could be built.
“This could also include a glamping option. The availability of flying in and out by helicopter – a 30-minute flight from Auckland – makes Tangiaro a perfect destination for the Auckland market. It’s just that the Auckland market has no idea the venue exists.
“Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat is a truly magical place to stay - and has the potential to be targeted marketed at multiple sectors… for romantic getaways, intimate weddings, nature and conservation group trips, tramping/hiking clubs, city escape weekend packages, ladies' weekends away, fishing trips, or small conferences and meetings.”
For guests driving to the lodge in their own vehicles, visitor attractions within an easy driving distance from Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat include beautiful Sandy Bay which is renowned for its swimming and a boat ramp for the keen fishermen, the Port Charles Wharf, and 20 minutes north to Stony Bay which is the start of the Coromandel Coastal Walkway at Stony Bay.
Cape Colville and Port Jackson with its remote DOC campground – representing the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula – are also just a short drive away.
- Article supplied by Bayleys
