The ABC of Sixtus Lodge

Our essential guide to Sixtus Lodge!

For many years the Sixtus Lodge Trust Board has published “The ABC of Sixtus Lodge” – a free guidebook to the Lodge and local walks and attractions. Scroll down for the A-Z of latest information. You can pick up your own print copies of “The ABC of Sixtus Lodge” at the Lodge, or contact the secretary@sixtuslodge.co.nz and we can post them to you!

See also:

Local Walks & Tramps

Our Facilities

Tenant Information

Sixtus Lodge Property Map

A.

  • Alcohol on Site: The Board requests that tenants be responsible in their use of alcohol, especially when young people are present.
  • Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge: See Local Walks & Tramps.
  • Alpine Flowers: A number of interesting alpine species can be found in the the tussock zone above the bush-line (about 1000m) including gentians, mountain daisies, Hebe species, eyebrights, edelweiss, the curious “vegetable sheep” (Raoulia) and spiky “Spaniards” or speargrass (Aciphylla).
  • Apiti: Our nearest township in the small rural community situated some 20 kilometres south-west of the Lodge and about 60 kilometres north of Palmerston North. Ivan George produced a history of the area in his 1977 book “Apiti! Where’s That?” (available from Feilding Library). The “Iron Gates Experience” website offers tourist information about the region. Visit irongates.co.nz.
  • Arboretum: The ‘Margot Forde Arboretum’ borders the playing field immediately west of the main Lodge. It was established by Margot Forde, a founding member of the Trust Board, to display all major native tree species in one location. There is a loop track through the Arboretum with a number of trees signposted, and a detailed map is available at the Lodge. The Arboretum is currently (2021-2022) undergoing major rejuvenation and replanting, track improvements and new signage, thanks to a bequest from the Forde family.
  • Arch Bridge: See Local Walks & Tramps.
  • Art: The Ngamoko Room has benches and water available, making it a very good venue for making art work.
  • Astronomy Study: In clear weather, the night sky at Sixtus Lodge provides a spectacular vista which many will not have seen before. Look out for satellites (fast moving and usually from west to east) and distinguish between planets (a steady light) and stars (that twinkle). Also, find the Southern Cross and the two Pointers nearby. Note: The orientation of the cross will alter during the night.

B.

  • Bark Rubbings: This method is a good art expression for class activities. Place a sheet of paper over the bark and rub over with the flat surface of a crayon.
  • Basketball Hoop: Situated on the concrete pad behind the Ngamoko Room.
  • Barbecue: Sixtus Lodge has a gas barbecue—but tenants need to supply the gas bottle and utensils. There is also a large, cast-iron wood-fired barbecue in the east corner of the adventure play area.
  • Bird Life: When out and about, the bird life you are most likely to encounter would be bellbirds (korimako), fantails (piwakawaka), grey warblers (riroriro), harrier hawks (kahu), morepork (ruru), tomtits (miromiro), wood pigeons (kereru), and tui. On nearby farmland, paradise ducks and pheasants can be seen and further afield, in higher mountain steam areas, the rare blue duck (whio) has been seen.
  • Bookings
  • Building Compliance Daily Inspection: The Camp Organiser or Designated Camp Leader must complete the Building Compliance Daily Inspection, (suggested at early evening), on every night’s stay. There are five (5) Emergency or Safety Practices to check in the Main Building. Please initial the calendar dates in the Red Recording Clipboard in the Pantry drawer.
  • Bush: Sixtus Lodge Outdoor Education Centre is 80 kilometres from Palmerston North in the foothills of the Ruahine Ranges, where farmland gives way to native bush. Its location makes the area an excellent venue to study upland vegetation— as it was and as it has been modified by man.
    For a study of the natural flora of the area, Knight’s Track would be a good starting point (see Local Walks & Tramps). There is a good mix of beech and podocarp forest (including matai, miro, rimu and totara) at its lower altitudes and this steadily gives way to forest dominated by the Cupressaceae family (notably mountain cedar) and, at even higher altitudes by the Olearia (leather leaf) family. The latter begins to dominate above around 1150 metres and this in turn gives way to a band of hebes and other small shrubs until, towards the summit, the tussock takes over. The altitudinal limits of a number of common species (for example bush lawyer, red beech, matai, miro, horopito and crown fern) are reached along this track.
    The forest around Shorts’ Track, on the other hand, has been extensively modified over the last century. Fire and introduced animals have played their part in this but, of greater significance perhaps, is the bush felling which took place many years ago. There are signs of this near the junction of the Shorts’ and Deerford Tracks and, in fact, there used to be a sawmill situated on a flat below the junction. A few metres up Shorts’ Track from the junction, traces of two hauler lines are still visible.

C.

  • Camping:
    • Lodge fields are suitable for tenting.
    • There is a picnic area near the bridge (approximately 200 metres beyond the Lodge) which also is suitable for camping.
      There is a long-drop toilet nearby.
  • Caves: See Glow-worm Caves.
  • Challenge Course: Situated at the east end of the Lodge grounds.
    • Currently there are nine activities established
    • A description of the course is in a green folder on the Lounge cabinets
    • Adult supervision is necessary for some stations
    • Equipment (ropes and planks) is stored in the mop shed and beside the tool shed.
  • Checklist for Tenants at Sixtus Lodge: See Tenant Information
  • Cleaning: Tenants are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the facility during their stay. The Lounge/Dining area should be vacuumed daily and the vinyl surfaces regularly swept and wet mopped. The dormitories need to be tidied and vacuumed daily. The ablutions need to be cleaned at regular intervals, especially groups who are remaining at the Lodge throughout the day. See Tenant Information
  • Coal (Makiekie) Creek: The quite picturesque Coal (Makiekie) Creek starts high in the Ngamoko Range.  Several tributaries join it before it eventually feeds into the Pohangina River which, in turn, flows into the Manawatu River. Access is from the DOC carpark at the end of Limestone Road. From here follow the fenceline and poled route across farmland for about 700 metres, and you’ll come to Coal Creek after about 10 minutes.
  • Coal Creek Walk: See Local Walks & Tramps.

  • Code: The unique code for the Sixtus Lodge exterior digital door lock will be sent, by text, to the Camp Organiser, three (3) days prior to the camp. If you have any questions or problems with the code, please contact the Booking Secretary (Hamish) on 021 238 3546 or email bookings@sixtuslodge.co.nz Once inside, you’ll find a bunch of keys hanging on a hook in the doorway between the pantry and the kitchen. These keys unlock other areas of the facility including the drying room and mop shed. The Trust Board recommends that the bunch of keys be returned to the hook when doors have been unlocked or locked.

  • Cone Creek: Cone Creek, another picturesque stream, issues from the foothills, passes through the Sixtus Lodge property below the terrace, then across farmland and into Coal Creek. 
  • Cone Creek Walk: See Local Walks & Tramps.
  • Concrete Wall: The concrete wall and pad behind the Ngamoko Room can be used for a variety of games.

D.

  • Deerford Track: See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Deerford—Diagonal—Shorts’ Loop Walk: See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Dell: With its almost ethereal atmosphere, “The Dell” below the main terrace  was once an attractive spot for quiet reflection. Sadly though, a vicious storm in August 2008 left a trail of  destruction with many trees being uprooted and now it is a mere shadow of its former self. The path to The Dell, however, remains the shortest route to the gully from the Lodge buildings. Access is as follows: through the little gate in the southeast corner (beyond the climbing wall in the Challenge Course), a steep flight of steps leads down through The Dell to Cone Creek. From here, tracks wind along the base of the cliff to the boundaries of the property – Bonnevie Track on the Lodge side of the creek and Paton and Warren Tracks on the other. 
  • Diagonal Track: See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Dogs: Dogs (or other pets) are prohibited on all areas of the Sixtus Lodge property & buildings. 
  • Dormitories: The dormitories are for sleeping in, and group leaders are asked to discourage boisterous activity in them. Also, food should be neither kept nor consumed in them. At night the external doors to the dormitories should be kept closed. Possums may enter and cause significant injury.

  • Driving to the Lodge: It is advisable to have a full tank of petrol or diesel when travelling to the Lodge. There is self-service card-only fuel sales at Kimbolton. No fuel sales in Apiti. The last five kilometres of Limestone Road to the Lodge is narrow and windy. It is important to keep left, as there are several blind corners. Watch for horses from the local horse trekking business and any wandering stock. 

  • Drying Room: The drying room (accessed through exterior door by the large barbecue) is provided for tenant use. The keys are in the Main Lodge. The drying room is very efficient – see the notice inside the room regarding its use. The heat pump is on a timer. 

E.

  • Electricity: The switchboard is on the wall of the covered way outside the girls’ ablution area. Turn the MAIN switch ON when you arrive and OFF when you leave. The MAIN switch in the OFF setting turns off everything except the freezer, refrigerator, smoke alarms and emergency lighting. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE MASTER SWITCH.
  • Circuit breakers, fuses and fuse wire are located in the switchboard. If fuses or circuit breakers cut out again after being reset, a fault is indicated. Please contact the Booking Officer or Property Manager as soon as possible. Contact Us
  • Emergencies: Contact Us.

F.

  • Faulty Equipment: Please report any damaged or faulty equipment. Please use the Tenants’ Checklist provided or contact a Sixtus Lodge rep. Contact Us
  • Fences: Use stiles when crossing fences. If there is no stile, the property on the other side should not be entered.
  • Ferns: There is a great variety in the Sixtus Lodge grounds and Ruahine Forest Park.
  • Fire: This is a TOTAL FIRE BAN AREA. 
  • Firearm Safety: NO GUNS OR RIFLES allowed on the Sixtus Lodge property.
  • Fireworks: NO FIREWORKS AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR due to fire risk and the potential to frighten our neighbour’s horses and livestock.
  • First-time Users of Sixtus Lodge: See Tenant Information
  • Flax: Various species can be found in the area and are useful for study or art and craft projects. Please do not over-harvest one plant.

G.

  • Gates: Ensure the road gates to the Lodge site are shut and latched at all times.  Keep all other gates on the property latched too, please.
  • Glow-worms (puratoke, titiwai): Glow-worms can be found in local caves and on stream banks. Glow-worms (Arachnocampa luminosa) are the larval stage of a small, flying fungus gnat and are endemic to New Zealand and proptected. PLEASE do not try to capture or remove the worms. 
    A short walk along Limestone Road (east) leads to a bridge crossing Cone Creek and easy access down to the stream bed where you can find glow worms at night! 
  • Glow-worm Caves: CLOSED The caves are found near the road about one kilometre before reaching Sixtus Lodge (watch for the ‘Limestone Creek Reserve’ sign). See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Grassland Studies: If digging is involved, use the rough paddock on the Lodge property immediately behind the Arboretum – worms, grass grubs, wireworm and various beetles may be found.

H.

  • Heating:
    • Main lounge: There is a very good wood-burner provided in the Lodge lounge. For efficient use of the wood-burner, see the operating instructions on the lounge wall. Firewood is provided in the shed in the breezeway or in the open shed at the back of the Ngamoko Room.
    • Toka Cottage: Electric heaters are provided.
  • Heritage Lodge: See ‘Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge’ in Local Walks & Tramps
  • History of Sixtus Lodge: The Outdoor Education Centre was built in 1977 and named after the late Les Sixtus, a local farmer, who generously donated six hectares of his land so that “urban children could get to know nature and experience the bush and the mountains”. See The Story of Sixtus Lodge 
  • Horse Rides: Table Flat Horse Treks are located across the road from Sixtus Lodge. For further information go to: www.tableflattrekking.co.nz

I.

  • Important Information for the Designated Camp Leader/Organiser on Camps at the Sixtus Lodge Outdoor Education Centre: Please view the green clearfile on the shelf in the pantry. 
  • Insects: Many species of native insects can be found including stick insects, ghost or puriri moths, red admiral butterflies, wasps, bees, magpie moths etc.

  • Iron Gates Gorge Walk: see Local Walks & Tramps

K.

  • Keys: Once inside the Sixtus Lodge Main Building, you’ll find a bunch of keys hanging on a hook in the doorway between the pantry and the kitchen. These keys unlock other areas of the facility including the drying room and mop shed. The Trust Board recommends that the bunch of keys be returned to the hook when doors have been unlocked or locked.
  • Kimbolton: This small township is nearby, approximately 40 kilometres north-east of Palmerston North and about two kilometres south of the turn-off to Apiti. The town provides for its mainly farming community and has a school, tavern and a café. Kimbolton is particularly well-known for its excellent climate for rhododendrons and azaleas. Heritage Park, in the village, and Cross Hills Gardens, just north of Kimbolton, are two notable gardens open to the public that are well worth a visit.
  • Kitchen: The Sixtus Lodge kitchen and its facilities can cater for both large and small groups. A full selection of kitchen appliances – ovens, toasters, microwaves, fridge and freezer, as well as a wide range of pots, pans, glassware and crockery, cutlery and utensils are provided for users of the Lodge. Please clean everything thoroughly and replace all equipment back in their correct positions after each use.
  • Kitchen Scraps: All food scraps and other rubbish must be taken “home” by the group. It must not be burnt, buried or heaved over the cliff. Also, please do not scatter food scraps for birds – it encourages less desirable feral creatures (such as cats, rats and possums).
    When vacating the Lodge, please remember to take away your bag of scraps and rubbish from the pull-out bin in the pantry! 
  • Knight’s Track and  
  • Knight’s—Ngamoko—Shorts’ Circuit Walk See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Kotukutuku (tree fuchsia): Tree fuchsia specimens can be seen on the roadside near Sixtus Lodge (on Limestone Road towards Cone Creek bridge), down the steps from the Arboretum, and down the steps to the Dell. It flowers from September to October. While its flowers are small, its bold, flaking bark is very attractive. 

L.

  • Lambing: Sixtus Lodge is surrounded by private farmland stocked with cattle and sheep. Lambing time occurs during the late winter to spring months (July to October) and during this time all Lodge users are asked to take extra care near fence lines, and not to allow boisterous behaviour to disturb livestock and potentially separate the lambs from their mothers.
  • Lichens: Local species can be seen on fences, rocks and trees.
  • Limestone Creek: See Local Walks & Tramps.
  • Limestone Road: This unsealed road leads from Table Flat Road and winds its way past Sixtus Lodge for another one kilometre to the road-end carpark. From here you enter the Ruahine Forest Park. Take care on Limestone Road as some parts of it are narrow with sharp, blind corners.
  • Lizards: Both geckos (moko-papa) and skinks (moko-moko) are present in the area, although hard to find. Watch for them moving in the vegetation near tracks and on banks.
  • Loop Track: See “Deerford-Diagonal-Shorts’ Loop Walk”  in Local Walks & Tramps

M.

  • Maps: There are large maps of the Western Ruahine Ranges displayed at Sixtus Lodge, and DOC provides Ruahine Forest Park map signs at the road ends of both Limestone and Petersons Roads.
    Good maps of the area can be downloaded from the DOC website.
    ‘Topo50 map BL36 Norsewood’, from Toitū Te Whenua/Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), is a detailed map of the region and can be downloaded or purchased as a printed map.  
  • Medical Supplies: All groups must bring appropriate medical supplies and first aid kits for their camps.
  • Mistletoe: Specimens can be seen six metres up the banded red beech tree by the small gate from the Challenge Course. It flowers (red) in mid-December.
  • Mountain Plants: A number of alpine species are planted in the garden at Sixtus Lodge – tussocks, hebes, mountain daisies and the native foxglove. Below the Lodge many tree species, including mountain cabbage trees, have also been planted. Further afield, above the forest line on the Ngamoko Range, mountain plants can be found including tussock grass, small hebes, dracophyllum, leatherwood scrub, mountain toetoe, and alpine flowers.
  • Mosses: There is a huge variety found in the area. One of particular note is Dawsonia superba – some 10 centimetres in height – found along the drier parts of the Deerford Track. It looks like a very young pine tree.
  • Mountain Safety: Be aware that, in mountainous country, extremes of weather and sudden weather changes can occur. Trips into the high country need careful planning, and trampers need to be physically fit, well-equipped, and led by someone with experience of the area and upland conditions.

N.

  • Natural Environment: The surrounding environment at Sixtus Lodge involves all aspects of New Zealand’s nature heritage. Please treat it with respect. 
  • Neighbours: Sixtus Lodge is fortunate to have friendly and co-operative farming neighbours, who support us in many ways but especially by keeping an eye on the Lodge. All land surrounding Sixtus Lodge is privately-owned. Tenants do not have the right to access or roam over this farmland. We ask that you cooperate with local farmers and help maintain their goodwill by not trespassing, tampering with gates or fences, or disturbing stock.
  • Ngahere a Tane: See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Ngamoko Room: This is a double garage-sized building situated at the rear of the Lodge. The room is carpeted, has benches and running water, and can be used for a variety of education activities and games. A table tennis table and gear is provided. 

O.

  • Onga Onga (Tree Nettle): This species of stinging nettle can cause a very painful irritation if touched. Large patches of mature specimens can be found on the slopes below Sixtus Lodge and elsewhere in the reserve. 
  • Orientation:  Teachers or leaders of any school groups wanting to take a class camp to Sixtus Lodge must complete our Teacher Orientation Course. Orientation courses are organised by experienced members of the Sixtus Lodge Trust Board. The course covers familiarisation with the Lodge and its surroundings, including some of the walks in the area that are suitable for school-aged children. For more information and next course dates, see Sixtus Lodge Trust Board webpage.
  • Orienteering: Good terrain for orienteering activities is available. For those considering using the Lodge grounds as an orienteering course, please be aware of the following:
    • Orienteering courses must keep to the terrace on which the Lodge is built or the formed tracks below.
    • The cliff behind the Lodge buildings is unstable in parts. Organisers are asked not to set up orienteering and challenge-type courses on, near, or below the cliff face.
    • The area on the other side of Cone Creek has recently been planted in native trees. Stick to the formed tracks. 
    • Courses must not be set up on the privately-owned farmland surrounding the Lodge property.
  • Oroua River: The Oroua River is the largest river in the immediate vicinity. It winds its way down from the upper Western Ruahine Ranges to eventually flow into the Manawatu River south of Feilding. It can be accessed from the carpark at the end of Petersons Road (about an hour’s walk). See Local Walks & Tramps 

  • Outdoor Clothing and Footwear: Outdoor clothing e.g. tramping gear, parkas and footwear are not to be brought indoors but should be left in the breezeway, on the kitchen side of the Lodge.

P.

  • Permits: You need authorisations or permits to interact with wildlife, import or export endangered animals, plants, or their parts, or use public conservation land for reasons other than personal recreation. Check with the Department of Conservation regarding fishing, firearm and hut permits, and having dogs in the Ruahine Forest Park.

  • NO Pets: Animals are not to be brought to the Lodge.

  • Phone Coverage: There is NO landline at the Lodge. Tenants need to provide their own cellphones. Coverage is adequate in the area (at the Lodge, it is better out in the grounds than inside the buildings).

  • Possums (Opossums) Rats, Mice and Feral Cats: All are considered serious pests. Do not scatter food scraps on the grounds – it encourages these pests.

R.

  • Recreation: There is a large grass area surrounding the Lodge suitable for sports, games and other activities. Tenants will need to bring their own sports gear. Two volleyball poles and a net are provided, as well as a basketball ball hoop attached to a concrete block wall. There is a table tennis table in the Ngamoko Room. It is advisable to bring your own bats and balls. On the eastern side of the Main Building there is a Challenge Course with 9 team activities. A description of the course is in a green folder (kept in the lounge). A laminated copy (that can be taken outside) is in the mop shed. The equipment required (a tyre, ropes and small planks) is also stored in the mop shed, with larger planks kept beside the tool shed.

  • Red Rock: Outcrops of a red rock (red argillite) are found throughout the Ruahine Ranges. A good example of red rock formations can be seen 30 minutes upstream from where the Deerford Track crosses Coal Creek to become Knight’s Track. Allow two to three hours return from Sixtus Lodge. See Local Walks & Tracks

  • River Studies:
    • Cone Creek and Coal (Makiekie) Creek – local
    • Oroua, Pohangina and Manawatu Rivers – in region.
  • Roads: To get to Sixtus Lodge, one travels on the Oroua Valley Road through Apiti, turning on to Table Flat Road some 2-3 kilometres north of the village. Table Flat Road becomes Limestone Road at the intersection with Petersons Road (Petersons Road leads to the carpark above Heritage Lodge). Limestone Road continues on to Sixtus Lodge and then a further kilometre beyond, to a carpark which is the entrance to the Ruahine Forest Park and trailhead for a number of popular walks.
    • Limestone Road is narrow and windy. Great care is required, as it is unsealed and there is always the potential for wandering stock and feral animals.
    • Any significant damage on the road (washouts, fallen trees, slips) should be reported to the Manawatu District Council on (06) 323 0000 or use the Report It online form.
  • Rock-climbing & Abseiling: Despite the steep terrain in the area, there are few safe places to climb or abseil at Sixtus Lodge – the local limestone country is unstable and unsafe. Neighbouring cliff-faces, that may look promising, are out-of-bounds. 
  • Rope Challenge: Using long lengths of rope or twine (not supplied), strung high or low, set a course/trail for a group activity. With imagination, there are many variations for rope course challenges – for example blindfold, in pairs, and night challenges. When preparing a rope walk do consider the potential for injury to the participants and damage to the vegetation.
  • Rubbish: All rubbish is to be taken “home”. No rubbish of any type is to be left at Sixtus Lodge or on the property. Thank you for your support.
    A large metal rubbish bin, outside the kitchen, is provided for the disposal of woodfire ashes. This is emptied, when required, by Trust Board members.

S.

  • Septic Tank: The Lodge operates a septic tank. Use appropriate biodegradable detergents & cleaners. Flush only toilet paper. Bins are provided for sanitary products, wipes and/or disposable nappies. Please do not flush these items. 

  • Shorts’ Track and Shorts’—Ngamoko—Knight’s Circuit Walk: Shorts’ Track (named after an identity of the district who wore shorts all year round) is one of two tracks in the vicinity which ascend to the crest of Ngamoko Range – the other being Knight’s Track. See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Sixtus Lodge Property (see map above): The Sixtus Lodge property covers some six hectares. It is bounded on three sides by Limestone Road. On the fourth side is a fence stretching from Limestone Road, across the terrace, to the cliff face. From the base of the cliff face, the fence crosses Cone Creek and slants up a slope to meet Limestone Road again.
    The Lodge buildings are on a terrace above Cone Creek. Two tracks descend from the terrace to the creek. The east-side track descends from near the Challenge Course to The Dell. The track on the west side descends from just past the Arboretum. At the base of the cliff, this track becomes Bonnevie Track and snakes its way along the Lodge side of Cone Creek to The Dell.
  • There are two tracks on the far side of Cone Creek. The track down from the Arboretum crosses the creek over a plank bridge to become Paton Track and follows the creek to eventually meet Limestone Road. Warren Track branches off Paton Track and climbs to meet Limestone Road at a higher point. 
  • When descending into the Cone Creek area, tenants are asked to use the two descending tracks and not to make their own trails down the cliff face. Parts of the cliff are unstable and the Trust Board is encouraging the growth of small shrubs and ferns to stabilise it.
  • Similarly, tenants are asked to keep to the formed tracks in the valley and not to damage the newly-planted native trees.
  • Smoke Alarms: There are wired-in smoke alarms in dormitories and the lounge. Toka Cottage has a standard smoke alarm. Follow the printed instructions given (on noticeboard on the lounge) to silence the alarms, or troubleshoot any warning beeps, if necessary.
  • Smoke-Free: The entire Sixtus Lodge property – upper & lower bush reserve, lawns & grounds and ALL buildings are smoke-free areas at all time.  
  • Sports: There is a large mown field for sports and games. Groups will need to supply their own sports equipment.
  • Stiles: A number of stiles have been erected at appropriate crossing places – please use them. If there is no stile, that fence is not to be crossed because the land on the other side is out-of-bounds.  
  • Stream Studies: Always replace rocks and creatures to their original positions.
  • Supervision: Needs to be constant. School groups should have the correct adult/student ratio (1:6).
  • Swimming Holes: The area is not well served with good places to swim although children will enjoy the shallow pools and splashing about in nearby Cone and Coal Creeks. Apiti Scenic Reserve on Oroua Valley Road has an excellent local swimming hole in the Oroua River. 

T.

  • Table Tennis: A table and net is provided and set up in the Ngamoko Room. Please provide your own bats and balls.
  • Teacher Orientation:  Teachers or leaders of any school groups wanting to take a class camp to Sixtus Lodge must complete our Teacher Orientation Course. Orientation courses are organised by experienced members of the Sixtus Lodge Trust Board. The course covers familiarisation with the Lodge and its surroundings, including some of the walks in the area that are suitable for school-aged children. For more information and next course dates, see Sixtus Lodge Trust Board webpage.
  • Telephone: There is NO landline at the Lodge. Tenants need to provide their own cellphones. Coverage is adequate in the area (at the Lodge, it is better out in the grounds than inside the buildings).
  • Tenant Information
  • Terms & Conditions

  • Toka Cottage: Tenants are free to use Toka Cottage. It sleeps four in comfortable rooms, and has its own kitchen and bathroom. You will find the keys inside the Main Lodge when you arrive. Do ensure that it is cleaned, the windows latched shut, and the door locked when finally vacating. The power and hot water in Toka Cottage will need to be turned ON (small switch board on the wall opposite the cylinder) on arrival and OFF when you depart. Toka Cottage is ideal for adults supervising groups on camp. It is not suitable for unaccompanied children. 

  • Tracks and Tramps: See Local Walks & Tramps
  • Trespass: Please keep off private property. The Sixtus Lodge Board of Trustees and our neighbours have a good relationship and we do not want trespassing to become a problem. On any Lodge fence line, if there is no stile, the land on the other side is out-of-bounds and should not be entered. See the Property Map above for guidance. 
  • Trig Stations:
    • Toka – 1526 metres above sea level
    • Tunupo – 1568 metres above sea level
      Both these trigs are situated atop the Ngamoko Range to the east of the Lodge.   A full day’s tramp is required to reach either trig and return.
  • Tussock: Alpine tussock grasslands occur in the higher areas of the Ngamoko Range, with flowering plants in bloom from November to February.

W.

  • Walks: There are many walks in and around the Sixtus Lodge. See the noticeboard in the Lodge and the Local Walks & Tramps section of this website. 
  • Water Supply: Sixtus Lodge water is pumped from a fresh water spring and stored in local tanks. It is automatically treated by an ultra-violet filter and regularly tested and treated as required. 
    Should you need to turn OFF the supply of water (e.g. because of a burst pipe), there is a toby valve in the concrete path on the east side of the main building—i.e. at the corner nearest to the road gate.
    If there are any problems with the water supply, please contact the Property Manager. Contact Us
  • Woodfire: There is a very good wood-burner provided in the Lounge. For efficient use, see the operating instructions on the lounge wall. Dry firewood for the wood burner is provided in the shed in the breezeway (in Winter) and in the exterior woodshed behind the Ngamoko Room.
  • Wood Pigeon (Kereru): Are often seen and heard when out in the bush and occasionally around the Lodge surroundings.