Motel Amenities and Facilities
- Eleven spacious units, all self contained
- Two studio units – 1 to 2 people
- Four x 1 bedroom units – 1 to 4 people
- Five x 2 bedroom units – up to 6 people
- Tariff from $NZ85 per night
- Covered parking for each unit
- Additional parking for cars or boats
- Sky TV – Australian News Channel
- Broad band wi-fi internet access
- Full size ovens in all units
- Fridge/freezers in larger units
- Microwaves in larger units
- Childrens play area
- Electric heating
- Fish cleaning area
- Smoke-house
- Comprehensive fly fishing information
- Town centre within walking distance
How to choose your fly fishing accommodation…
(Copied from Daily Report for 9 May 2012)
Thanks also for the encouraging response from the subtle advertorial Daily Report on Tuesday (before the Major). TRM received the best sort of response we could have hoped for. SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed – image on right in working uniform – is manager at TRM) hates it when all these trout are sneaking up the river without any TRM fishos there to ambush them. One immediate email was for seven fishos booking for five week-nights. Wonderful – thank you. But TRM still need to expand on the issues a little more to answer some of the other emails received. We advised them all we would cover the individual questions in more detail in TRM’s Daily Report – below. The usual question – ditto with all other local accommodation suppliers and tackle shops and fishing guides – which we have to try to explain or bluff our way around regularly is: “When is the best time to fish the Tongariro?” Coupled with this of course, in disguise, is “Where is the best (aka cheapest?) place to stay?” OK? (This is a biggie so make a cup of tea and get comfortable first….)
WHEN?
We have already covered the first question about “When?”. As many of these questions come from West Islanders across the ditch, their caution is understandable. There are still some unbelievers who doubt our claims (or the claims of others about the Tongariro in particular) until they have tested them. Many regulars have confirmed that on reflection their package ends up cheaper and far better value than our main competition (You thought I was going to say Rotorua or the South Island didn’t you…) – Tasmania. We reiterate – the best time for Aussies to fish the Tongariro is whenever you can get cheap Air NZ flights (or whenever the All Blacks play the Wallabies). Then you can redirect the savings into a longer stay. We are being deadly serious here – after all we are talking about fly fishing. To add to that, hire the cheapest Jap import car you can find and add those savings to the accommodation too. You hardly need a car once you get here.
TIMING?
Timing may be important to get in on cheap air fares, cheap cars, (i.e. outside of school holidays) but is not important for fishing as the Tongariro is open all year round. There are always trout in the river. Certain locations are timing sensitive. i.e. Lake Otamangakau closes at the end of May to 1 October, Lake Rotoaira closes end of June to 1 September. (Lake Taupo and Tongariro River never close.) Obviously at peak times it is more difficult wherever you go due to angler pressure. Fly fishing is not supposed to be a team event but some anglers enjoy a competitive environment. Others demand more seclusion and a pool to themselves. The main determinant to control fly fishing is the weather, not the month. Every river has hot periods and dull periods. Nobody can predict when. But we realise you know all that.
WHY?
Because the longer you stay the better your fishing experience will be. It is all rather obvious really. It is so frustrating to see so many just start to relax and adapt to our grubby habits (i.e. huge flies, heavy bombs, woolly indicators, feeding Boof, etc.) when it is time to return. They just get to know where the best pools are when their time runs out. More time also allows some flexibility to be a tourist too. (What? You didn’t go to Waitomo Caves? Unbelievable!) More time allows for more flexibility to combat our erratic weather. Note: wet weather here nearly always improves the fishing. More time allows you to sneak away for a change of style to try over 30 other lakes and rivers within a day’s drive from Turangi. etc. OK?
WHERE?
Now some more info about fishing accommodation options. Turangi has everything on offer to satisfy any fishos’ requirements. Turangi can offer superb B&B’s to superior 5 star lodge to budget back-packers accommodation – i.e. B&B: Tongariro Riverside B&B, 5 Star: The Birches Homestay, Budget: Riverstone Backpackers, etc. Go to TRM LINKS for more. Turangi has eight motels, four back-packers and so many lodges, B&B’s, time shares, holiday homes, etc. that I have lost count. The grand combined total is over 60. With that amount of competition you really will struggle to find a crook one. Then there is the other ancillary stuff which should not be under-rated. We often claim that Turangi is the only village in the world with one supermarket and four tackle shops. I have no idea if that is true but you get the message. In addition there are even back door fishing tackle businesses. Then there are so many fishing guides we have lost count of them too. So how do you choose your accommodation? So simple! Ask yourself: Why are you coming here? To fish? If you answered positive to that key question (?) then go to whoever is going to enhance that experience the most. Fly fishos do not usually travel to Turangi (Trout Fishing Capital of the World) expecting to sleep in a dormitory?. At the other end of the scale, anglers do not come all this way just to dine in 5 star style every night? Horses for courses.
HOW?
Everyone has different requirements and standards of what they want to enhance their fishing experience. So how can you believe which is the best for your budget. The best reference is obviously personal recommendations from friends. Alternatively peruse all the “guest comments” on the websites from other anglers (i.e. not tourists!). Make sure they are dated. Some guides’ fishing reports are so out of date they are not relevant to a river environment that is always changing. If you are still concerned, request dated references providing guests’ names and addresses. Then contact them to check the references. Why not? In the end it is not the number of (questionable ?) stars rating the motel/lodge/hotel/B&B has, but the overall fishing experience. What freebie extras will they supply i.e. TRM carry spare rods, waders, wading jackets, nets, etc. to provide for unfortunate incidents – which happen regularly. TRM have custom designed bikes set up for anglers, personal ‘water-strider’ rafts for lake fishos, free wifi, free commercial smoker, free laundry, free info, free fishing library, the best up-to-date fishing magazines like NZ Troutfisher, Target Taupo, local maps of other rivers (TRM have even produced their own Tongariro River map identifying 50 pools – the Tongariro Bucket List), extraordinary daily reports, free guide (Boof), etc. If they cannot offer the above ‘extras’ then they are not really targeting anglers’ requirements. Some are more focused on the tourist trade or the conference market. That is fine but anglers need and deserve specialist accommodation. Why? They need to stay longer and keep on coming back. Quite simple really.
GUIDES?
Then there are professional fishing guides?. Touchy subject this – perhaps even more than accommodation – and usually costs more. In our experience the investment in a good guide to start your fishing holiday off on a positive note is one of the best decisions you can make. (Convert the savings from cheap air fares and rental cars into guiding fees?) There are plenty of experienced guides locally, (but apply the dictum: “horses for courses”). Again seek recent clients’ references. A recent accommodation request suggested to us that he understood we have to be neutral in recommending guides but could we assist? We quickly corrected his assumption. We cannot afford to be neutral. If we recommend a guide and the guest’s experience is less than ‘fantastic’ then we are at fault. We cannot afford to upset or lose guests because of a guides’ complacency so we are very picky about any such recommendations. It is obvious to readers of these Daily Reports who TRM usually use… Other guides are listed on LINKS heading above.
(PS We know what you are thinking (?) but you are wrong – TRM never look for any kick-backs or commissions from guides.)
INFORMATION?
Often overlooked in the pre-holiday analysis yet it is impossible to emphasise the importance of this enough. i.e. We just had two regulars return for their first time in 2012. They have fished here for the last six years so knew exactly where they were going. On their first morning they rang the reception bell at 7 am asking where the Braids had gone? The Braids was their reason for fishing the Tongariro. The river beyond the Braids was all knew. The Tongariro is subject to continual changes and accommodation hosts have to know where to be able to advise their guests. So we strongly recommend anglers to make sure their hosts are anglers who keep up to date with everything happening on the river. Soooooo critical to improve your fishing chances and make your holiday more memorable for the right reasons. This brings us on to a more sensitive personal matter. Make absolutely sure your hosts are genuinely knowledgeable and keen to help i.e. not just mechanically going through the motions. Again the guests comments should confirm.
WEBSITES?
Apart from TRM (of course) website raves are usually expected to be over the top so look beneath and beyond the glossy veneer of PR hype. Compare the quality of the info. Some websites look really cool but what do they really tell you? Others may look a little dated (I wonder who?) but are stuffed full of relevant up-to-date fishy info. We suggest you compare the headings above and drag through the info on such fishy stuff like the Tongariro pool reports – then compare to other websites. Which other accommodation suppliers – claiming to cater for anglers – provide anything remotely similar. Where else can you get a daily fishing fix? OK?
MEALS?
This has proved a problem sometimes in the past as Turangi is a small village – 3000 population – which cannot support too many restaurants. While the fitout at TRM is designed for long term guests with full size ovens, full sized fridge freezer units, microwaves, etc., anglers still usually need to have a night out. Again it is a matter of taste and budget. We have four local restaurants within easy level walking distance which we can safely recommend – tell them we sent you!
1 – Bridge Lodge – since Kent took it over it has improved considerably, great chef, friendly ambience, and has a good bar as well – open every night within 4 minute easy level walking distance.
2 – RSA – restaurant open Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays only (In Australian it is the RSL). The club is 5 minute walking distance from TRM.
3 – Valentinos – Italian restaurant is in the town centre – 6 minutes walking distance. Note it is closed Tuesdays. A bit more expensive but good Italian style meals.
4 – Hong Kong Restaurant – For those in more of a hurry you cannot go past the local Chinese take-aways.
Others are listed on LINKS.
SUMMARY:
Congratulations if you have lasted this long. You are obviously keen to discover the best value accommodation for fishing the Tongariro River.
If you are still in doubt, take SWMBO’s recommendation. She is not even biased…
Enough said.
Local Tourist Hype:
Now for some local tourist hype which we hope will be of interest: Turangi village claims (modestly) to be “The trout fishing capital of the world”. Naturally we concur with this – that is why we live here.
Tongariro River Motel is situated on State Highway 1 (corner of Link Road) just south of the Tongariro River Bridge in the centre of the North Island approximately midway between Auckland and Wellington. We are about half way to anywhere in the North Island. This is an attractive location close to the Tongariro River – a world famous trout fishing river with pleasant walking tracks (from where you can easily spot the trout) along the banks. This river-side walk is a compulsory recreation for all guests.
Turangi local shopping centre has one supermarket and four trout fishing tackle shops (see what we mean!) and various cafes and restaurants all located within 5 minutes level walk or 2 minutes drive from the motel.
The location is also close to the Tongariro National Park region which enjoys World Heritage Area status for its outstanding natural values. Daily transport is available to and from the Tongariro Crossing – claimed by Lonely Planet to be the best one day walk in New Zealand – 19 km across an alpine volcanic lunar landscape. This region featured in the film trilogy, Lord of the Rings, as Orc country, Mordor, under Mt. Doom. The Whakapapa ski fields – the largest in New Zealand – are about 40 minutes drive time from Turangi.
For more detailed information on the motel units or other walking tracks or our fishing reports on the individual Tongariro River pools click on the headings above – i.e.
For latest local fishing reports click on “Daily Report”.
For fishing info click on “Trout Fishing” for Tongariro River description and scroll down to individual updated pool reports.
For Tongariro Alpine Crossing descriptions and photos go to “Tongariro Crossing”.
For Room Rates and motel photos and other information, click on “About TRM” and go to “Tariffs”.
For google aerial maps of Turangi or the Tongariro River go to “Location” and scroll down to click on “Satellite”.
For other visitors impressions of Tongariro River Motel click on “Guest Comments”.
Accordingly, we trust you will enjoy your stay at Tongariro River Motel.Thanking you in anticipation.
Tongariro accommodation designed for anglers…?
There is only one…
Why Tongariro River Motel is an anglers Eldorado?
Why is it the perfect place for fly fishos to stay?
Why there is only one Tongariro River Motel with unique features for anglers. i.e.
What other anglers accommodation or motel have rod racks built in to their units?
What other motel publishes their own Tongariro Pools map guide?
What other anglers’ retreat provides a comprehensive ratings chart for all of fifty Tongariro River pools?
What other motel is working with Community Groups and authorities to extend anglers access tracks up the Tongariro River.
What other anglers accommodation has a free lending library of over 80 fly fishing books?
What other motel has an electric commercial smoker for free use of guests? Limited to only 20 trout at a time.
What other motel or lodge has rods and waders free for guests use? (Subject to minimum 3 nights booking.)
What other anglers accommodation has free use of laundry – free washing machine & dryer & soap powder as well.
What other motel has back copies of all good fly fishing publications such as Trout Fisher & Target Taupo magazines.
What other motel provides Daily Fishing Reports?
What other motel provides anglers wading poles?
What other motel provides a trained (?) guide dog?
Yes, there is only one that silly…
TRM Library News – updated 2011
(TRM have a comprehensive Fishing Widows’ exchange library. TRM’s caring General Manager, Pip, is acutely aware anglers often desert their partners for long periods to go fishing. So She makes sure there are over 100 novels plus other interesting gardening and cooking and tourist books etc. In addition She subscribes to North & South and Woman’s Weakly and several other fishy magazines of course. In addition TRM also have a Fishos’ Reference Library which is where Her laundry assistant Ross is in trouble with She Who Must Be Obeyed… In the list below the General Manager, SWMBO is concerned about the increasing number of books which are euphemistically described as “OUT ON LOAN” and are accidentally overdue ? But this is supposed to be TRM’s “Reference” Library for anglers, not to be confused with the Fishing Widows’ lending exchange library. Even some of our fishy dvd’s [i.e. "A River Somewhere" by Rob Sitch & Tom Gleisner, "Destination Trout" by Fraser & Clancey] appear to have been “borrowed”. So if amongst your fishing gear you find any with the TRM stamp on them we wonder if you would be so kind…. just drop them in on your next trip. )
TONGARIRO RIVER MOTEL inmates’ REFERENCE LIBRARY
Author followed by Book Titles
Bishop
Fishing Smarter For Trout
Starting Smarter – Fishing for Trout – OUT ON LOAN?
Busch
Trout Fishing A Guide to South Island
Castle/Murphy
Fly Fishing NZ
Draper
Fly Fishing for Beginners
Trout Flies for NZ
Choose the right fly
Angling in NZ
Mr. Hundred Percent
Hooked on Fly Tying
Fraser/Clancey
Destination Trout NZ
Giarcon
The Magic Hour
Gierach
Trout Bum – Missing?
Another lousy day in Paradise
Standing in a river waving a stick
Death, Taxes and Leaky Waders – missing?
Sex, Death & Fly Fishing – OUT ON LOAN ?
The View from Rat Lake – OUT ON LOAN ?
No shortage of good days.
At the grave of the unknown fisherman
Giles
101 Trout Fishing Tips
Gillett
Taupo Fishing Diary
A cast in time
Gould
The Complete Taupo Trout Fishing Guide
Advanced Trout Fishing
Greig/Bain
Tongariro River
Grey
The Anglers Eldorado
Hallett
Moods of NZ Fly Fishing
Hickling
Freshwater Admiral
Hintz
Trout at Taupo
Fishermans Paradise
Hayes/Hill
The Artful Science of Trout Fishing (Out on loan? Missing since 2010!)
Hill
Catching Trout
Stalking Stillwaters
Hill/Marshall
Stalking Trout
Stalking & Catching Trout – OUT ON LOAN ?
Jensen
Trout of the Tongariro
Kelly
Fishing for Trout
The Flies in my Hat
Kemsley
A Taupo Fishing Guide
Maclean Norman
A River Runs Through It.
Marsh
The Young Angler
Mathews
Volcanic Trout (The most popular by far!)
McDowall
Freshwater Fishes of NZ
McInnes
Tread Quietly
Murfin/Marshall
Brown Trout Heaven
Moore
Weekends for Trout Fishing in NZ
Orman
Serious about Trout Fishing – OUT ON LOAN ?
Fishing the wild places on NZ - OUT ON LOAN ?
Parsons
Parsons Glory
A Taupo Season
Parsons Passion
Santella
Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die
Scott
NZ’s Best Trout Flies
Serpinski/Siers
Taupo Fishing Guide
Sinclair
NZ A wild place to play
Sloane
Fifty places to fish before you die
The Truth About Trout
Taylor/Pickford
The Longest Cast
Thomas
Trout Secrets
Veniard/Downs
Fly Tying Problems
Walton
The Compleat Angler (Illustrated by Arthur Rackham)
Webber/Lodge
You should’ve been here on Thursday
Weddell
10 of the best NZ trout flies
MAPS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN:
Turangi (BH35)
Raurimu (BH34 & S19)
Tongariro (T19)
Taupo (U18)
Ohakune (S20)
Kuratau (T18)
Taumarunui (S18)
Tongariro Forest Map
Lake Taupo Info Map
x Daily Report for 17 November 2011:
Tongariro River Motel (TRM) has updated their stocks of Fish & Game Trout Fishing Brochures to cover most of the North Island.
A big thank you to Fish & Game – these F&G brochures are worth the cost of your licence alone providing excellent introductions to the style of fishing in each river and region and identify to all the best access spots, etc. Every angler exploring the waterways around the North Island (with their fishing gear carefully hidden in their boot) needs a full range of these maps. Simply, they are brilliant.
For all TRM overseas guest anglers these are an absolutely “must have”.
And yes – SWMBO is often asked why we don’t have similar brochures for the Taupo region or the Tongariro River. We remind you the Taupo Fishery is separately managed by DoC – Department of Conservation. So we just refer the enquirers to TRM’s website for the TONGARIRO RIVER POOLS REPORTS and the new BUCKET LIST FOR THE TONGARIRO RIVER.. That usually keeps them satisfied…
(Tongariro River Motel’s supply has recently been seriously depleted. Would you believe some pesky anglers thought they would protect “their” river by swiping all the brochures on display at TRM for their region… Probably the same people that “borrowed” a selection of all our best fishing books and forgot to return them.)
The latest stock includes several we had not seen before – some rivers you may not even have heard of – so to make it interesting (?) we have listed them in a geographical pattern…
TRM’s maps library now includes:
Waiohine River
Waingawa River
Pohangina River
Waipoua River
Ruamahanga River
Tauranga Area Fishery
Rangitaiki River
Waikaremoana Lakes Fishery
Kapiti Coast River Fishery
Mangatainoka River
Rangitikei River
Rangitaiki River
Waikato River Fishery
Lake Rotorua & Tributaries
Rotorua Lakes Fishery
Upper Manawatu River Fishery
Lower Manawatu Fishery
Ruakituri River
Tutaekuri RIver
Ngaruroro River
Tukituki River
Mangatainoka River
Mohaka River
Whanganui Headwaters
Southern waters of Auckland/Waikato
Auckland Waikato Fishery
Reservoir Fishing in Northland
Taranaki Ringplan Fishery
Kai Iwi Lakes
etc….
plus South Island maps…
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