Situated in a clearing above the banks of the Retaruke River Blue Duck Lodge looks out onto breathtaking views of native bush. This self-catering lodge offers a comfortable base for relaxing, tramping and the many outdoor activities on offer on the station.
The station’s core values are based around the conservation of its endangered wildlife, increasing the health of the native bush and rivers, and preserving the history of the area, while educating visitors about the endangered New Zealand blue duck (Whio), other native species and local history.
Blue Duck Station has one of the highest concentrations of Whio and Kiwi in New Zealand not to mention wetas, native bats and fish. To help increase numbers of these and other native species we are improving their habitat by encouraging bush to regenerate, enhancing water quality and trapping predators. It is as recognition of this work that Blue Duck Station has been granted three Ballance Farm Environment Awards and a Department of Conservation ‘Services to Conservation’ Award.