Te Kārearea
Te Kārearea Apartment is a cosy, self-contained two-bedroom apartment attached to Te Kōawa Lodge.
It is a beautiful and welcoming space located at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu in the Jericho Valley, 45km southeast of Te Anau. Nestled at the foot of the Takitimu maunga, the lodge is surrounded by stunning mountain views, native bush, wetlands, and flowing waterways — including Jericho Stream and nearby Redcliff Creek.
This apartment is ideal for smaller rōpū or whānau wanting to visit Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu. The apartment includes a full kitchen, bathroom, sunny lounge area, and two bedrooms – one with a Queen-sized bed, and one with two singles. A heat pump keeps it warm year-round.
Named after the kārearea, the native bush falcon often seen in this area, the apartment offers a peaceful retreat and base from which to explore the area.
Te Kārearea Apartment
Kārearea is the name of Aotearoa’s native bush falcon – a taonga manu known for its sharp eyesight, agility, and fierce guardianship. Kārearea are often seen soaring over high country and ngahere, including in this rohe. Naming our self-contained apartment Te Kārearea honours this manu as a kaitiaki of the whenua and those who visit.
The lodge and apartment complex sits on a 445-hectare site, with walking and biking tracks and access into the Takitimu Conservation Estate. It’s a fabulous place to bird watch, botanise or explore. Or why not do some raranga (weaving) or learn more about Te Ao Māori while you are here? It’s also a fabulous place for stargazing, with dark skies and plenty of space.
Nearby, there are excellent opportunities for biking, walking, hunting, and fishing, with easy access to Borland Road, Lake Monowai, the Waiau awa, Rātāku Wetlands, and Lake Manapōuri.
A Unique Cultural Experience
Te Kōawa Lodge offers a distinctly Kāi Tahu experience. Throughout the space, there is a focus on mahinga kai, te ao Māori, and local cultural narratives. We are establishing a new Pā Harakeke (and there are existing mature harakeke varieties in front of the lodge that are suitable for raranga/weaving). We also have a taonga species trail in the front that has information on Kā whetū o Matariki (the Matariki stars).
Bookings
Up until 30 November 2025, bookings or enquiries are handled by Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka who hold the lease. Please contact the office via phone at (03) 234 8192 or via email at office@orakaaparima.org.nz.
From 1st December 2025 onwards, bookings will be through Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust. To enquire, please fill in our booking enquiry form.
Alternatively, you can contact our Manager, Vanessa Horwell, on 021 0255 6918 or email info@tewaiaumahikakaitrust.co.nz.
Other accommodation options
If you are a larger group, you may want to book Te Kōawa Lodge instead, or as well as Te Kārearea apartment.
Header photo: Mānuka flowers. © pluckytree via Flickr.