Sherwood Huts: Location

Located 135km (90 minutes easy drive) from Christchurch airport, and approximately ½ way between the thermal resort town of Hanmer Springs and the marine playground of Kaikoura, in the foothills of two mountain ranges on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Sherwood Huts are situated on the river flats beside the Lottery River (a tributary of the mighty Waiau River). They are a group of huts that were built some 40 - 50 years ago and have been lovingly restored over the past few years. They are located about 1-2 kilometres upstream from the end of Sherwood Rd, on a terrace above the river, sheltered in summer by a copse of shady trees.

The huts are wonderfully private, secluded, quiet and offer guests a authentic taste of Kiwi back country accommodation. The fact that you have to ford a mountain river a number of times to get to them just increases the remoteness of their location. However this is easily dealt with by your own 4WD, a transfer by Sherwood Lodge´s 4WD, a 15 - 20 minute walk or a wonderful horse trek.

Sherwood Huts are at approximately 300 metres (1,000 ft) above sea level and are located in the midst of the mountains, native forests and tussock lands of this region.

Looking out from the front of the huts, you see the native mountain beech forest of Tinline station, while behind the huts is a grove of mature Kowhai and Cabbage trees (Cordyline australis or "Te Kouka” in Maori). Blazing golden in August and September, the Kowhai herald the start of Spring and the opening of the huts to guests.

There are plenty of things to do from the huts, including hunting for fossils in the river bed, walking over surrounding farmland, cooling down in the pools at the gorge up river (surrounded by red volcanic rocks), photographing nature, or just reading a good book and enjoying the sound of native birdlife in the trees around you.

If you want to go use the huts as a base to explore the region, there´s plenty of things to do, from whale watching and swimming with the dolphins at Kaikoura, to soaking in the thermal pools at Hanmer Springs, or taking a tour of the Waipara wineries.

But we think the best thing of all about these huts is that you get the chance to relax away from everything and everyone, with no interruptions (no electricity or mobile phone coverage here), and no pressures on doing anything except lie back and enjoy yourself in solitary splendour.