Monthly Highlights
... At Wilderness Lodge
Lake Moeraki
This calendar aims to give you a general idea of what nature highlights you may experience at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moerki at various times of the year.
The seasons at Lake MoerakiWinterJune - August SpringSeptember - November SummerDecember - February AutumnMarch - May
AUGUSTFiordland Crested Penguins breed NZ Fur Seals at Knights Point (1500) First Fuchsia and Kowhai in flower Birdlife abundant around the Lodge Good trout fishing SEPTEMBERPenguin chicks hatch Whitebait Season Clematis flowers Excellent trout fishing in lake OCTOBERGreat trout fishing month Penguins feeding daily/visible Fur seals abundant (1000+) Warmer weather for walking and canoeing NOVEMBERBrilliant Trout fishing Penguins easily visible on beaches Fur seal numbers decline (500+) Excellent spring trout fishing DECEMBERRainforest in full flower (rata, kamahi) Penguins depart to sea Dec 12 Elephant seal usually arrive Penguins return to the forest to moult (20th) JANUARYFur seal numbers at low level (200) Rata forest in full flower Pigeon numbers increase with fruiting FEBRUARYPenguins mostly hidden in forest Swimming in lake and seacoast Canoe trips daily MARCHPenguins all away at sea Excellent trout fishing Salmon fishing in Lake Moeraki andLake Paringa Forest trees in fruit with many pigeons APRILSalmon commence spawning in river headwaters near the Lodge Small numbers of seals Autumn nor-west storms Good trout fishing MAYFirst new snow on the mountains - great photography - cooler, calm weather Fruit on the (Podocarp) conifer trees Salmon in large numbers in headwater streams JUNE
Fur seal numbers increasing Penguins arrive late June to start breeding JULY
Penguins mating in the forest Large numbers of Fur Seals Great winter fishing Lodge is usually closed
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WHEN TO VISIT
Our busiest season is from December to March. April/May, August/October is a quieter time to visit with settled clear weather and a mild coastal winter. There is all-year round fishing and seal spotting.
Fiordland Crested penguins are best from August to early December.
Fiordland Crested Penguin
New Zealand Fur Seals
Flowering Rata
Fantail
Fur Seal pup