Rough and Tumble was built in mind of and operates according to sustainable environmental practices; solar water heating, double glazing, re-use of native woods milled on-site, and energy-efficient appliances are key principles of day-to-day operations. Environmental education is an important component of our programmes, and among our central missions is to be effective stewards of our own property and the surrounding conservation estate.

Ongoing conservation programmes include pest plant and animal control, native plant revegetation, track maintenance and bird counts. We are fortunate to be situated in a very bio-diverse area, straddling podocarp and beech forests, representing coastal and inland ecological zones. Our birdlife is astounding, and the Mokihinui is habitat for the rare native blue duck, or whio (most tramping and rafting parties in the catchment encounter these beautiful, shy birds, and they have been sighted at the lodge itself).

The lodge is off the beaten tourist track, in an area that prides itself on being ‘the real New Zealand.’ In addition to enjoying our beautiful surroundings, guests can explore a part of the country that many visitors never experience, a true reward for the intrepid.