Alpine Lodge

Alpine Lodge is a lodging and dining stop on Main Road in St Arnaud, the alpine village at Nelson Lakes’ gateway. It offers hotel rooms, self-contained apartments and backpacker accommodation, with a restaurant and bar on site. Lake Rotoiti and the park visitor centre are a short walk away, which makes it useful as an overnight base or a meal stop before or after local walks.

The restaurant welcomes diners who are not staying at the lodge, and it is St Arnaud’s only restaurant. Book ahead, and check seasonal service before counting on dinner after a hike. The menu changes, so use the current listing if you are choosing a meal around a particular dish.

Two 100 kW DC fast chargers are at the lodge, with CCS and CHAdeMO connectors. They make St Arnaud a practical place to pause in an electric vehicle while you eat or stay.

The building was constructed in 1983 and opened as a lodge in 1984. Walter and Frederika Unterberger took it over in 1988; Alexandra and Leighton returned in 2008 and began a new partnership.

Accommodation ranges from hotel rooms to apartments and backpacker beds. Guest expectations differ: some describe standard rooms as simple or dated, while others find them warm and comfortable. Check the details for the room type you are booking rather than assuming every part of the property has the same finish.