About Us

The historic Mahana Homestead is the heart of the Mahana Lodge complex and is set in lovely surroundings of native bush and established gardens. This charming building is more than 100 years old, built with an outlook to the ocean and with an expansive lawn running down to the beach front. It was once the centre of a large sheep farm but now the farm has been returned to forest and the lovingly restored homestead welcomes visitors instead.

Mahana Lodge is operated by Juliet and Steve Gibbons, Marlborough locals with 23 years’ experience welcoming visitors to the Sounds. During your Mahana stay, your every need will be met by our hospitable and experienced Lodge Manager and outstanding Chef, David Woodley. 

Evening dining is available for you to enjoy during your stay - bookings are required in advance so David and his team are ready to cater to you. His three-course Chef’s Table cuisine experience regularly gets rave reviews and is an experience not to be missed. This culinary masterpiece features locally sourced fresh produce and is prepared by David, a former restaurateur and food writer. Mahana’s dining setting in the lush garden conservatory with an overhanging vine of eatable grapes in season is a casually elegant experience. Occasionally dining may be indoors in the homestead for smaller groups or when the weather is cold. 

We also have lunch packs available on request, perfect for taking with you on your adventures while staying at Mahana or if walking the Queen Charlotte Track. A continental breakfast with farm fresh eggs is also included in the room rate.  We are happy to cater for any special dietary requirements, but please let us know in advance. Please note that facilities are not available for cooking your own evening meal.

Environmental Sustainability

It is an important part of the Mahana philosophy to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The Lodge is well insulated, warmed by the sun, and heated by a log fire to reduce energy usage. Produce is either grown on the property or sourced fresh locally where ever possible and you will love our free-range eggs. We also compost, reduce, reuse and recycle our rubbish wherever possible, use the sun’s rays to heat our water, and conserve water and electricity wherever possible.

At Mahana we are lucky enough to have one of the world’s few remaining populations of Powelliphanta hocstetteri bicolour – one of the giant New Zealand land snails and we work hard to enhance and protect them. They spend their days well hidden in the undergrowth and we often find empty shells in the garden. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to meet one out for a walk on a misty morning.

Your Mahana experience is one we hope will leave you with fond memories of this beautiful part of the Marlborough Sounds.