School camp in Bush by Dargaville and Whangarei, Northland.

Tangihua Lions LodgeOverviewFacilities GuideInformation

Tangihua Lions Lodge

Welcome to the Tangihua Lions Lodge

The Lions Lodge located between Whangarei and Dargaville in Northland is an outdoor Education Centre used for school camps, anniversaries, weddings, reunions and many other occasions.This website provides information not only about our lodge, its many uses, the surrounding tracks, tramps and bush but also for planning school camps in general.

The Lions Lodge is uniquely located in the heart of the Tangihua Ranges, a native conservation forest over seen by the Conservation Department. By providing affordable accommodation and outdoor education facilities it has become the number one destination for school camps in Northland with over 10,000 guests since its inception. The spacious, modern accommodation and outdoor activities make it an ideal location for a wide range of activities for all age groups.

Who Hires the Lions Lodge?

Schools - Education and training in the bush - School camps, cadets. Police, Search and Rescue organizations.

Scouts - A jamboree has been held here plus many other outings

Polytechnics and Universities for courses and accommodation.

Recreational groups - tramping clubs, day care groups, Forest and Bird Society, overnight stays

Tramping Clubs and Bush walkers. The Tramping tracks and bush walks were specifically built to show case the Tangihua ranges for school camps and others hiring the lodge. Designed to cater for a wide range of ages and fitness levels they provide some of the finest bush walks and tramps in Northland. The Horokaka Receiver is one Northlands highest view points over looking Whangarei and Dargaville. The panoramic views are magnificent.

Family occasions - birthdays, family reunions and other special celebrations and occasions.

Weddings, The unique bush environment with accommodation, photo opportunities and flexible catering facilities and options make for a very affordable, private and romantic environment.

Business groups - conferences, team building courses or just a great place for the team to get away for a day or two.

Accommodation - Groups or people requiring accommodation when attending local functions

Youth groups – The confidence course, tramping, camping, team building

Church Camps, Groups and Retreats - The seclusion and peaceful surroundings are ideal for reflection, mediation and teaching

The Whangarei Mid Western lions built the lodge so that generations of students will experience, learn about and respect our unique bush environment

The lodge is run by the Tangihua Lions Trust, a non profit organization, whose aim is to minimise students school camp costs so all students can use the facilities. We reinvest any surplus back into the lodge.

If you hire the lodge you are helping us achieve this goal. We would like to thank you and all our supporters for doing so.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us

Phone 09 4322227 e-mail info@thelionslodge.co.nz

Tangihua Lions Lodge Overview

Activities

The lodge is designed as a school camp so that students and groups can experience, enjoy and learn about Northlands outdoors and bush. There are a wide range of bush type activities provided for no additional cost. The activities are not only available for school camps but those also using it for weddings, reunions, family celebrations or groups. These activities include.

Animal, insect, bird and Habitat Study - T here are a variety of habitats from streams, grassy clearings, rejuvenation bush to ancient podocarp forest. There are many varieties of native flora and fauna to be observed. These range from rare Kauri snails, insects, fresh water crayfish, fish, trees and birds.

Bush walks and tramps - The tramping tracks and bush walks surrounding the lodge are some of the best in the Whangarei, Kaipara. There are bush walks and tramps suitable for all age groups and fitness levels.

Bush Craft - Safety issues, correct clothing, food and preparation. Important if a student decides to go into the bush at a later date.

Burma trail - Following this 300m rope trail at night is great fun.

Bivouac building - An important aspect of bush survival.

BBQs - facilities provided

Camping over night - Tents and several sites in clearings available

Confidence course - The confidence course, built with the help of the New Zealand Navy, is regularly inspected and provides challenges and fun for all age groups. This has a range of activities, rope walks and swings, walls, a flying fox.

Historic sites - Kauri dam sites and models. The large stumps and heads of the Kauri trees and old skid tracks

Nature walk - DOC has built a well laid out informative nature walk. There are many signs describing the nearby trees and shrubs. See tramps

Swimming - in cool clean bush streams flowing near the lodge

Orienteering and Drawing maps - There are two orienteering courses. Mapping the lodge and various places and tracks will teach compass work and increase mapping skills. There are compasses, maps and viewing platforms.

Photography - Native flora and fauna, streams, waterfalls, sunset, views of Northland

Relaxing and reflecting - in the peace and quiet of a secluded bush clearing.

Night walks - Safely exploring the bush - from Glow worms and crayfish to the stars. No city lights make our night sky so much clearer

Waipu caves - A visit is often included in a school itinerary. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/northland/whangarei-area/waipu-caves-walk/

For further information on school camp activities see planning

For further information about school camp activities at theTangihua Lions lodge please do not hesitate to contact us

Phone 09 4322227 begin_of_the_skype_highlightin end_of_the_skype_highlighting e-mail info@thelionslodge.co.nz

Tangihua Lions Lodge Facilities

Amenities for school camps, weddings and other venues

Strategically placed on Department of Conservation (DOC) land in the heart of the Tangihua Ranges. This modern lodge has all the facilities including disabled access to ensure a pleasant stay for any sized group, wedding or venue. There are two lodges on site.

The main lodge

This has four bunk rooms, a central 100 sqm dining - lounge overlooking extensive decks, (one completely covered ) a large kitchen and storage facilities, drying room, his and hers ablution areas which have 4 showers and 4 toilets each. There is a disabled bathroom.

Main dining area - The wood panelled 100 sqm multipurpose room easily seats 80 people. Tables, study benches and white boards are provided. The room extends out to a 60 sq meter deck on one side and has a covered 100sqm deck on the other. This room is easily rearranged to suit activities from large scale dining room, class room or dance floor etc for a wedding.

Kitchen - The well designed, modern kitchen and servery make it very easy for two or three people to provide for hungry students at school bush camps or formal wedding receptions. The excellent facilities include a sterilizer, commercial ovens and stove top plus a large hot plate. The fridge - freezer, walk in chiller and large pantry provide plenty of food storage for large groups. All cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery required for a prolonged stay by a large group are provided. There are adequate plates and cutlery for a setting of 100 people. There are also BBQ facilities

Bunk rooms - On each side of the main dining area there is one five and one twenty bed bunk room, sleeping a total of 50 people.

At school camps wet days are a consideration - The lodge is ideal if wet weather is a concern. The large 14sqm drying room will dry all wet clothes and gear. A 100sqm fully enclosed deck and large lounge room ensure activities will continue even if the weather is doubtful.

Smaller lodge

The LCIF building - This separate building has a bedroom, ensuite, kitchen and living room. This is ideal for giving people a break from the main lodge activities, a favourite spot for many teachers and event organizers. It is here most of the planning and organizing can be done over a quite cup of tea without interference

There are also tents and tent sites available

Phone 09 4322227 e-mail info@thelionslodge.co.nz

For further information about the facilities, please do not hesitate to contact us

Tangihua Lions Lodge Informaton