Huka Lodge

Huka Lodge sits on the banks of the Waikato River on the North Island, about 4.6 km from central Taupō and 13 km from Taupō Airport. The grounds cover roughly 17 acres of established gardens, and Huka Falls is a short way downstream.

This is a small lodge rather than a big hotel, with 20 suites and two owners' cottages. It began life as a fishing camp, and fly fishing for trout from the riverbank is still part of the pitch. Lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, is close by, and Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage site, is a short drive away. Taupō sits halfway between Auckland and Wellington. Weddings here are small and personal.

The lodge lists intimate weddings and high-end elopements among its events. The dining room takes up to 50 for dinner or 60 for cocktails, looking over the terrace and river. The Orchard, among heirloom fruit trees, seats 12 or holds 40 for drinks and canapés. Smaller rooms suit private dinners, including the candlelit underground wine cellar for up to 10 and the Loft for up to 16.

The lodge does not publish ceremony details, so ask the team about ceremony spaces, legal ceremonies for UK couples, the music curfew and how the exclusive-use option works for a wedding.

Exclusive-use bookings give a group the run of the house, with private suites, the main lodge as the hub, and breakfast, pre-dinner drinks with canapés and dinner built into the stay. The lodge sleeps up to 52 guests across 20 suites and the two cottages. Guests can use the pool, tennis court and lawn games such as croquet and pétanque, or go fly fishing, take a lake cruise to the Ngātoroirangi rock carvings, try a helicopter trip or book the spa. For a larger guest list, ask the team about places to stay in Taupō. The lodge is open all year, and Taupō Airport is 13 km away.