Possum Lodge
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Add your business details- Dog-friendly site in a native forest next to Lake Manapouri
- A 10-minute walk to the beach and the harbour for boat trips
- Convenient hiking base; trout fishing available on site
Possum Lodge is what the owners call ‘a classic Kiwi site’. Small, safe, clean and friendly, it’s set in a native forest, which is very quiet… aside from the birds’ dawn chorus, of course. And with the site being based next to gorgeous Lake Manapouri in Southland’s Fiordland National Park, sublime scenery is a given.
From here you can take strolls through thickets of beech trees along the adjacent lower Waiau River, and there's also excellent trout fishing; alternatively, you can wander through the forest to the sandy lake shores, only around 10 minutes’ walk away.
Another 10-minute walk will get you to the Pearl Harbour Manapouri boat ramp. From here, there’s a water taxi that runs in high season to transport you to the trailhead for the nearly nine-kilometre Manapouri Circle Track around the forest and the lakeshore. The RealNZ - Doubtful Sound Manapouri Visitor Centre is a few minutes’ walk from the harbour and runs lake cruises and wildlife watching for dolphins and fur seals.
Possum Lodge is also convenient for a number of other great New Zealand trails, such as the Kepler Track (around 10 to 15 minutes’ drive) past beech forests, mountains and glaciers, the Milford Track and the Routeburn Track.
On site, the facilities include shower, toilet and launderette access. There’s a place to eat within walking distance, but for grocery supplies you'll need to head to Te Anau (20 minutes).
Site type
7
3
7
7Open all year
Languages spoken
English
Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com
Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.
Features
Dogs allowed
Leisure on site
Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis WatersportsAmenities on site
Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Budget/backpacker Forest Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradiseUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Communal freezer Communal fridge Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Shop nearbyType
Small (11-25 pitches)Nearby leisure
Fishing nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearbyLocation
Possum Lodge
13 Murrell Avenue
Manapouri
Southland
New Zealand
9679
Directions Timezone
Pacific/Auckland +1200 (GMT+12:00)
GPS
45.56707°S
167.60415°E
Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Local attractions
The marshes of Rakatu Wetlands (15 minutes’ drive) spread over a whopping 278 hectares. Nine kilometres of walking tracks snake through the area, allowing sightings of the wading birds that call these waters home, including mallard ducks, Canada geese and black swans, plus fishes like long-finned eels.
If you’re after feathered creatures specific to New Zealand, head to Punanga Manu o Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary (15 minutes), home to a range of native (and largely endangered) birds that you might not be able to spot in the wild, like the flightless takahē and the parrot-like kākā.
Ready for a cruise with a difference? Instead of sailing on the lake or the river, you can book a spot on one of the vessels exploring the underground stream leading to Te Anau Glowworm Caves (15 minutes). Sail past a subterranean waterfall, limestone passages and whirlpools to a quiet grotto shimmering with glowworms.
Reviews
100% would recommend this site to a friend
100% would stay here again
Reviews page 1 of 1
Arrival date (latest first) 
Great host, nice pitches, good facilities, a superb pub/restaurant opposite and easy…
Electric grass and gravel pitch
Liked Great host, nice pitches, good facilities, a superb pub/restaurant opposite and easy access to lake for Doubtful Sound trip. Lovely beaches nearby.
Disliked Suggestion only - maybe keep some 5kg LPG bottles on site. We ran out (fault of JUCY not re-filling) and it has been a nightmare finding anywhere that can supply. Not only us with this issue.
The site was good enough for our short visit.
Electric grass and gravel pitch
Liked Location was good
Disliked Pitches were a little too close to each other.
Limited number of toilets and showers.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Possum Lodge have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Possum Lodge dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Possum Lodge? The marshes of Rakatu Wetlands (15 minutes’ drive) spread over a whopping 278 hectares. Nine kilometres of walking tracks snake through the area, allowing sightings of the wading birds that call these … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Possum Lodge?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. Depart by: 10 a.m.