Three Murchison Accommodation Experiences At Owen River Lodge

November 22, 2020

By Felix Borenstein



Make no mistake about it, Covid 19 has absolutely changed the way we look at the kiwi holiday in New Zealand.

With New Zealand travel restrictions likely to stay in place for at least a few months to come, your traditional holiday park is likely to be booked out and accommodation in Murchison, Nelson and the Tasman region in general will be in high demand this summer. Here at Owen River Lodge we have noticed more people from New Zealand are looking to get off the beaten track and explore Murchison, Nelson Lakes, Buller and beyond.

While we have always been first and foremost a luxury fly fishing lodge more recently we have been enjoying hosting the slightly different clientele that this new normal has created for us all. Our mission at Owen River Lodge is to provide an immersive fly fishing experience for our guests, regardless of their fishing experience, and that’s something you’re just not going to get staying at any of the hotels in Murchison or Nelson.

To help illustrate how we might be able to do this for you we’ve put together three potential Murchison lodge experiences that will enrich you with a lifelong trip to remember that you might not have otherwise indulged in back in those pre-Covid days.

The Fly Curious

You’ve only fly fished once or twice, or perhaps not at all but it’s something that’s always intrigued you. If there’s one thing we can vouch for, the fly fishing lifestyle has to be experienced at least once in your life and for most people as soon as they get a taste of it there’s no turning back. With a lot of our rivers being only a one minute walk from the truck, and our guides being the best in the business, you’ll have an easy day on the water learning what fly fishing is all about, see some fish in a beautiful environment and maybe, if the stars align, catch one or two. We even have an FFI certified casting instructor on site, so you know you’ll get the very best of fly fishing instruction in one or two days that can take a lot of people a lifetime to amass.

The Milestone Celebration

Perhaps there is a 50th, 60th or 70th birthday event coming up for that fly fisher in your life so you want to make a surprise booking at the best accommodation Murchison has offer, and a hotel just won’t cut it? Owen River Lodge is the place to stay for three or four nights to really make the most of your time.

Parking up here for a few days is great way to treat the both of you and if only one of you fishes then we have plenty of options for the significant other. You could head into Fairfax Street, Murchison for a slice of small country shopping with some excellent second hand stores to indulge in, or head up to Lake Rotoroa and take in the beauty of the mountain surrounds. Back at the lodge you could simply relax and make the most of the great view of the Owen River from your room, take a tour of our gardens with Kylie, perhaps treat yourself to an in-house massage and if you need to keep in touch with the rest of the world we have free wifi of course, but that might be missing the point a bit.

The Kiwi Angler Experience

When you first spot the white water of the Buller River you know you’re in the right place for fly fishing. With no hotel in sight, you’re looking for a Murchison lodge that caters specifically to what you’ve travelled here for, and that is what we’re all about. You’re strictly here to fly fish from dawn till dusk and then unwind and enjoy the finest in angling specific accommodation New Zealand has on offer. Chances are your fly fishing adventures have mostly been self-catered for to date but let us take the reins for a few days while you spend time learning a thing or two from our experienced guides, access some of the most iconic spots in the region and only have to do one thing for your stay…and that’s place the fly in front of the fish.

So in short, if you’re looking for some local accommodation for your next stay in Murchison that offers up a new life experience then please get in touch for our most up to date deals on price and packages, and make sure to check out our great reviews so you can get a feel for what you’re in for when you share a few nights with us here at Owen River Lodge.
We look forward to your visit soon.

Felix Borenstein

Owen River Lodge, Murchison, New Zealand


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Oct 5 2021

The Owen River Lodge advertises itself as “New Zealand’s finest luxury fishing lodge” and lives up to its promise in spades. Felix and Kylie are gracious and superb hosts.… Read more

James: Ruby Bay NZ TripaAdvisor

Oct 1 2022

The publishers of The Fly Fisherman have produced a stunning travel journal titled “Destinations”. April Vokey has written an article giving some background of our owner Felix… Read more

Awards & acknowledgements

Owen River Lodge NZ: “Fly fishing at its very best”

Ph: +64 3 523 9075 Address: Owen Valley East Road, Murchison, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Email: fish@elevenangling.com