Luxury

Eco tourism in style

Tourism and travel, as global industries, have a profound impact on the environment and cultures of the world. Fragile natural resources like forests can be damaged or depleted by too many visitors or irresponsible use. Animal habitats can be devastated by visitors, and eco systems altered forever.

Developer John Sax was determined that Treetops, a luxury lodge in the North Island's Rotorua region, should tread lightly on the land.

'When I was growing up on a coastal farm not far away, the wild country was one of the joys of my life, and it still is for myself and many New Zealanders,' he says. 'We are very lucky here in that, unlike many other places, people still have relatively free access to wilderness areas. But even when I was young, I was conscious of how much we take from our natural environment and how little, sometimes, we put back.'

Treetops is John Sax's way - three decades later - of turning back the clock. After having been involved with the property for some years, Sax bought Treetops in 1993. 'I thought here was a way to combine many of the things I love. The aim was to create an 'eco-park' - centred around the establishment of an upland game and water fowl habitat. I wanted to do that without effecting the existing flora and fauna, and to encourage people to think of value beyond pure economics.'

So while Treetops now allows discerning travellers to experience the unique beauty and character of New Zealand's natural surroundings in an atmosphere of five star luxury, it is also a place dedicated to preserving an environment that is good for both man and beast. Close cooperation with government and private environment agencies ensures that the pristine qualities of Treetops will be preserved in perpetuity.

From first approach, the Treetops resort sits easily in its wilderness surrounds. Set among 1000 hectares (2500 acres) of exclusive, carefully managed private wilderness in a sheltered valley, the rustic style stone and timber lodge was designed by Californian architect Michael Hlem to integrate the surrounding forest, streams, stone and timber into a unique and memorable feeling of place. Ornamental trout ponds and streams are placed at its entrance: guests cross over a timber bridge to reach the foyer.

The lodge accommodates up to 40 guests in substantial comfort, including eight luxurious duplex villas tucked in the bush or overlooking one of the lakes. Throughout the lodge and villas, local schist stone and native timber finishes (many sourced on site and embellished by local craftspeople and artists) enhance the building's links with its surroundings.

'We want guests at Treetops to enjoy a distinctive New Zealand experience - and not something they can get anywhere else,' says Sax. The New Zealand bush is unique in the world - a rich, temperate rainforest that in its original state is one of the last remnants of the ancient continent of Gondwanaland. New Zealand is also a benign environment, with no poisonous or dangerous animals.

The lush appearance of the property, which many less active guests are content to just sit and enjoy, is also the result of years of effort, including the planting of more than 70,000 trees. Many of these, including cherries, larches, pines as well as countless indigenous tress and shrubs, provide a year-round habitat and food supply for protected species such as the kereru (native wood pigeon) and tui.

Pockets of virgin native bush throughout the estate, including some spectacular stands of tawa, have been preserved. 'Wherever we see areas of bush that are deficient in species favoured by the kereru (native pigeon), we plant miro, their favourite food,' says Sax.

The management work extends into the air, and underwater. The forest is periodically dressed with trace elements from a helicopter to replace deficiencies in the soil. Grit is laid to assist the digestive systems of some birds. Treetops have a healthy managed population of pheasant, quail, duck, pigs, deer, trout and other species. 'There were wild deer and pigs on the property before Treetops, but virtually no pheasant or quail and no wetland habitat for wading birds and ducks. Now there are six wetlands,' says Sax.

For guests who want to experience the unique atmosphere of New Zealand bush, well-informed guides are available at the lodge. Guests can also take tapes of native bird calls along with them while exploring the 70 kilometres of walking trails.

Further information:

Treetops Luxury Lodge and Estate
Phone +64 7 333 2066
Email info@treetops.co.nz

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