Ruakahu Lodge - Ben Ohau, NZ
RUAKAHU LODGE
The Long Way Around - BEAR’s Guide to New Zealand’s South Island
Ruakahu Lodge is sister’s with the award-winning property Skylark Cabin. Equally as special, twice as big. Ruakahu also boasts a large outdoor tub, and was used heavily (almost religiously) throughout our stay. Each morning started the same, sunrise peaking out from behind the trees, a cuppa in hand, straight to the tub. We soaked until our fingers looked like sultanas, completely unbothered by the freezing air around us - it actually makes being in a bath bearable (I famously hate how sweaty and uncomfortable I get in an indoor bath). We would the drag ourselves out for the chilly sprint back inside, and onto whatever the day had planned for us. Honestly, I’m convinced that this ritual alone allowed us to hike as much as we did.
Ruakahu Lodge was paired with the Red Tarns Track. We took our screaming muscles for another uphill wander, chasing that very specific kind of reward - a speccy view and a no-doubt-squashed treat.
While Skylark Cabin sits nestled into the landscape - almost hidden, Ruakahu Lodge stands proud in the middle of the field, she is the view. Although Skylark and Ruakahu share the same land, you would never know the other existed. Both houses were designed intentionally, with privacy and comfort at the forefront, providing privacy without feeling isolated, and wide open space that doesn’t feel exposing. It’s a peaceful escape.
The contrast between indoors and outdoors is stark. These properties are built for the elements - step inside and you feel the warmth of the wood fire making your cheeks rosy, a stillness, and protection from the elements, it’s quiet in there. Step outside and you feel the chill of the air, experience the scale of the landscape, and feel the alpine energy. It’s warmth against the wild!
Post hike afternoons were spent with the wood fire roaring behind the little glass window, a bowl of popcorn, flannelette pyjamas, and Princess Diaries screening on the tele. We found ourselves staring out the window adjacent to the television, watching the clouds come and go, and the sun settle in behind the mountains. Before we knew it, the sky was enveloped in darkness and smattered with sparkly stars, not an ounce of light pollution to dilute our view. We sat rugged up in faux fur on the deck to spot a shooting star before bed (I’m a big fan of a wish).
Packing up felt unfair, we wanted to stay forever.
Stray beautiful,
BEAR.
No robots were involved in the making of this journal.