Welcome to Last Light Lodge

Welcome to the Last Light Lodge, Tuatapere, Southland, New Zealand!

The Last Light Lodge offers comfortable accommodation (21 cosy rooms and a green grass camping ground) surrounded by lush native gardens.

Indulge in mouthwatering meals at our exclusive restaurant, made from fresh produce sourced from our organic gardens

Located at the bottom of the world, Tuatapere is New Zealand’s last town to witness the sunset right on the edge of Fiordland National Park. The Lodge is close to a beautiful ancient forest of podocarp and beech trees and near by the Hump Ridge Track office. Nestled amidst mountains, rainforest, rivers, bush and farmland, your ideal nature escape!

Join us in our little piece of paradise, where your well-being is our priority, and our goal is to make your experience unforgettable.

Craig, Violaine & team

The Accommodation
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$160 for 2 persons per night

Super king bed or twin long single beds, smart TV, kitchenette, shared bathrooms with some other rooms, wifi, heater

$140 for 2 persons per night

Super king bed or twin long single beds, smart TV, kitchenette, shared bathrooms with camping ground,
wifi, heater

$100 for 2 persons per night

Double bed and a single bed, kitchenette, shared bathroom with camping ground, wifi, heater

$20 per person per night

Private gardens, communal kitchen, shared bathroom, wifi

$18 per person per night

Private gardens, communal kitchen, shared bathroom, wifi

Availability

Amenities
  • Fully equipped communal kitchen.
  • Pre-booked meals available in our exclusive restaurant.
  • Laundry facilities with coin operated washing machine and dryer.
  • Free Wifi available throughout the entire site.
  • Dump station.
  • Lockers available on site.
  • Free parking, allowing you to leave your vehicle securely during your absence.
Video
The Meals - Garden to Table
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Gourmet Dinner

$60 per person

break

Buffet Breakfast

$30 per person

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Packed Lunch

$20 per person

Gallery
Who are we ?

The Last Light Lodge holds a unique history, originally constructed in the 1970s to accommodate forestry workers before transforming into a welcoming hospitality spot in the 1990s.

In 2010, Craig Rutland took the helm and embarked on a transformative journey. The entire lodge has undergone a rejuvenation, with expansions and tasteful renovations to the veranda, restaurant, and kitchen. Two lodge blocks have been revamped, offering newly Superior and Super rooms, complete with updated bathrooms and laundries.

Craig, along with a dedicated team, has nurtured enchanting gardens to enhance your experience. Our grounds now boast thousands of trees and native flora and thriving organic gardens. His love for cultivating and using fresh, organic produce shines in his delightful gourmet mealsβ€”a definite treat! Take the opportunity to bring home a taste of our goodness – homemade preserved jams, jellies, chutneys, and relishes are available for purchase at the restaurant.

The current team consists of Craig’s partner, Violaine, guests manager, their son Max, self-appointed duck chaser, the remarkably versatile Sandra, who tirelessly tends to the gardens, and the meticulous housekeeper, Regina.

We dedicate ourselves to ensure you have everything you need for a relaxing stay at our lodge. Welcome to your home away from home!

Our Produce
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We sell our preserves, vegetables, fruits and herbs on-site andΒ onlineΒ too.

All produce is grown organically in a permaculture style.

We use our produce in all our meals.

Reviews

 

Louise P
Louise P
9. March, 2023.
Verified
Best food in NZ Stayed in the accommodation at Last Light Lodge during a tour of NZ, so the accommodation was not booked by us. On first arrival we found the place to be very quiet and very much off the beaten track. However what a hidden gem this is. The accommodation was basic but clean and practical but what makes this such a great place is the customer service from the staff Craig and V, and the exceptional food served in the restaurant. We had an evening meal and breakfast the following day. The food was clearly organically grown at the Last Light or sourced locally. I would say it was possibly the best food we had during our visit to NZ (both north and south islands). I was in a large group and, to a person, everyone raved about the food, wine and coffee. The atmosphere was perfect - relaxed, individual and perfect for our group.
petercN6539MU
petercN6539MU
5. March, 2023.
Verified
Fascinating & quirky place to stay - we loved it We were very pleasantly surprised by having the best meal we had during our 2 week holiday in New Zealand, & in such an out of the way place - The host & hostess were delightful - the cabins were pretty rudimentary, but clean & comfortable - I really want to go back there!
Michael W
Michael W
3. December, 2022.
Verified
Excellent Base for Hump Ridge Track We stayed at the Last Light Lodge before and after walking the Hump Ridge track and it was a great decision. Craig and Violane provide very nice units, very good bathroom and laundry facilities, excellent food options and they happily stored our vehicle whilst we were away walking. They also have camping options on the property. If we are back in the area we will definitely choose to stay here.
RP
RP
29. November, 2022.
Verified
Great place to stay - would love to stay again We stayed here before commencing The Humpridge track walk. We had a superb dinner and an excellent breakfast. Almost everything we ate was either grown in the gardens or sourced locally, I couldn’t resist buying some of their delicious jam and chutney. The hosts ( owners) are lovely their service friendly and efficient. Our room was well appointed and had a great big super comfy bed. We took advantage of being able to have a packed lunch for the first day of the walk and what a great decision that turned out to be. I will most likely walk the Humpridge track once in my life ( that was a very challenging climb up that hill ) but I will be looking for reasons to return to the Last Light Lodge !
moreauwellington
moreauwellington
28. November, 2022.
Verified
Great food and hospitality We stayed at Last Light en route to walk Humpridge Track. The hospitality at the lodge was ideal, accommodation was clean and comfortable. We had a lovely blue cod dinner, cooked breakfast and packed lunch - all very tasty and good value for money
Candy
Candy
20. November, 2022.
Verified
Magnificent dining The hospitality and food were absolutely amazing. The owners waited for us as we were delayed and then cooked our meal. The fresh food from their garden was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. I can not recommend the food enough. The breakfast was delicious, as was the packed lunch we got for our walk the following day. The rooms were nice. Freshly painted and the beds were comfortable. My only downside was it was raining and there was no shelter between restaurant/reception and the rooms. Also there was no bathroom/toilet in our room. Unsure if any rooms have them.
Joanna M
Joanna M
30. October, 2022.
Verified
Fantastic small town accom Rooms were lovely, clean and warm. We stayed here prior to doing the Humpridge Track and it was perfect. Craigs delicious dinner was amazing and his local knowledge excellent. We even left with some of his delicious rubarb. Totally recommend a night here and include dinner and breaky!
annette l
annette l
3. July, 2022.
Verified
Excellent! This was a lovely place to stay overnight in our campervan. The owner was friendly and helpful giving us tips of sights we didn’t see in the tourist brochures. The ablution block was very clean. I even bought some tasty homemade quince jelly and pickles that were for sale in the restaurant.
Kiwi20
Kiwi20
7. April, 2022.
Verified
Great hosts We stayed overnight prior to walking the Humpridge track. Our room was everything we could wish for with comfortable beds etc. We also had a simply superb dinner there - my steak was divine. They also sell homemade jams and pickles which are well worth a look at. Lovely friendly hosts. Well worth a stop over.
sarah c
sarah c
1. April, 2022.
Verified
Amazing food and spotless accommodation We stayed here the night before starting the Hump Ridge Track. Our room was very comfortable and clean. The highlight however was the food! Craig cooks with love and beautiful produce. Don’t miss it and don’t forget to buy some of Craigs jams!

Angela
Angela
27. November, 2023.
8.0
Verified
Perfect ☺ Friendly staff Great service Yummy food ☹ Nil
Louann
Louann
24. November, 2023.
10
Verified
Great value- did not expect this for what we paid ☺ Great location for us before leaving for a tramp ☹ Nothing
C
C
18. November, 2023.
9.0
Verified
Very good ☺ Amazing food just fantastic ☹ Would have liked a duvet on the bed there weren’t enough covers to make it comfortable
Dawn
Dawn
8. November, 2023.
10
Verified
Great place to stay if you want home cooked home grown food ☺ The accommodation we stayed in was basic but had everything we needed.Everywhere was spotlessly clean.The staff are very polite and helpful.There is a large kitchen for guests use but we booked dinner and breakfast in the restaurant and it was excellent. ☹ Nothing, it was all great.
Deborah
Deborah
4. November, 2023.
10
Verified
Best kept secret in Southland ☺ Food was picked fresh from their beautiful large garden. Graig and V were so knowledgeable about food and wine and local history. Such wonderful meal service dinner and breakfast and homemade jams and pickles and bread! ☹ Nothing
Carol
Carol
24. October, 2023.
10
Verified
Exceptional ☺ Lovely relaxing location excellent facilities ..clean and well furbished Fabulous hosts
Sarah
Sarah
24. October, 2023.
10
Verified
Sad to leave- a really magical stay and part of the world ☺ We loved everything, rooms, property, the farm and gardens, superb food and hospitality ☹ Nothing- loved it all
Kamariera
Kamariera
24. October, 2023.
10
Verified
What a great lovely run family place. The facilities were really keen and although the room a little dated was old schoo ☺ Close to the Humpridge Track. The food is incredible and I can see why people rate this so highly. Lovely owners who did such a great job with a big group of us, kind, and friendly. ☹ Be great to have some ensuite rooms
Ashley
Ashley
31. May, 2023.
7.0
Verified
Good
Jennifer
Jennifer
15. April, 2023.
7.0
Verified
Good

Sights and Activities
Loop Track

Hump Ridge Track

3 day walk in Fiordland which goes high...

jet boat activity in Tuatapere

Jetboat

Exhilarating experience on the river in full nature...

cosy nook village southland new zealand

Cosy Nook

Peaceful bay along the coast...

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We have kilos of Runner Scarlet Beans and different varieties of potatoes!!All spray free.Beans $12/kg if buy under a kilo$10/kg a kilo or morePotatoes (moonlight, kowiniwini, purple king...) $3.5/kg - $15/5kg.You can pull in anytime at the lodge. ... See MoreSee Less
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On rainy days, what's Craig up to?πŸ€”πŸ˜ ... See MoreSee Less
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250g @$5πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“πŸ“Come in today and tomorrow! ... See MoreSee Less
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