64 Cape Barrier Road, Tryphena Tel (09) 429 0109 or 0800 POSSUM Websitewww.straypossum.co.nz
BUG review
The Stray Possum is conveniently close to the ferry wharf, but still offers an in-the-bush experience. Dorms are set in a rustic cabin lodge on a hill surrounded by nature; the smell of a wood-burning water heater adds to the outdoors feel. Rooms are spacious and clean, and there’s a good-sized shared kitchen. A bar and restaurant is open during the summer months, and can make for a lively hangout, with excellent pizzas and an even better view. The endangered parrot-like kaka bird is frequently seen – and constantly heard – round the lodge. There are some good hiking trails right out the door from the dorm cabin. Staff are friendly and helpful. The Lodge’s name plays on the fact that there are no possums (or ferrets or stoats) ravaging the forests of Great Barrier Island.
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Price Dorm bed $23 (one-time linen charge $5) Double/family room $70 Chalet $135 Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
The most awful place I've ever stayed. 20 January 2009
Pros:
Even the beautiful bush setting couldn't make up for the terrible time we had here.
Cons:
Absolutely the most awful service ever.
happycamper
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(1)
(Review ID: 12607)
I normally don't like to leave bad reviews, but in this case I really want to warn any travellers going to Great Barrier to avoid this place as our experience was really upsetting. Like the previous reviewer, we found that the locals warned us away from this place when we mentioned we were staying there. I strongly suspect that the positive review has been placed there by management. The facilities are old, average and in some cases shabby, and the service is only 5 stars if 5 stars means 'we don't keep track of our bookings and treat our guests as poorly as we can'. I also think the rates here are expensive and the location is not a desirable one. Visitors should be aware that the lodge's website is misleading in terms of describing the facilities and implying that the packages advertised are good value - they're not. In the absolute height of the summer rush, we were the only people camping here. We confirmed our booking well in advance, but when we arrived they'd lost our booking and looked at us like we were total idiots when we said we wanted to camp for two nights. We paid upfront but left the very next morning. The proprietress was the main culprit, treating us like we had no right to be there. I have no idea how this unfriendly woman ended up in the hospitality business. Our requests to see the campsite and use the office phone for a local call to our rental car company were greeted with incredulous looks and sneers. We left because of the unwelcoming atmosphere combined with an awesome party the owners started up in the middle of a Monday night involving awful bogan music coming from the bar and some young men on quad bikes riding around and around the campsite. We didn't hold out much hope for a refund but explained why we were leaving anyway. We were greeted with blank looks and a refusal to refund us the balance of our stay, or apologise. A simple 'sorry' would have been all it took for them to avoid this review. This could be a lovely place to stay if taken over by new owners and the facilities improved. However, the incumbents obviously don't want your money, or they'd muster up a smile and a hello when you arrived. In the interests of warning other travellers who are booking their accommodation before travelling to the Barrier, I'd stay far away from the Stray Possum Lodge. Campers, try one of the beautiful Department of Conservation campsites.
5 of
16 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
australia
new management 2 March 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11816)
the stray possum lodge has changed a lot, the new management is friendly, cool, and they are making great improvements since having taken over. No more complaints from people, the services are 5 star indeed. set in lush nz bush it is the best place to chill out on the island and a perfect spot to use as a base to cruise around great barrier albeit being remote. Catch a bus or simply hitch from there, the locals are more than willing.
4 of
11 people found this review helpful
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Karen
Yorkshire - UK
Avoid this place 13 December 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Karen
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
(Review ID: 11817)
The Stray Possum offers a package round Great Barrier island which includes airport pick up. I rang to organise a shuttle and a double/twin or single by myself. When I arrived at the lodge which is in the middle of nowhere I was informed that the doubles were booked out this evening, would I mind going in a dorm which would be empty as no one else was arriving. I paid for the package and when I got to my room discovered other guests in there. I went back to reception to be told that there was no other room options and that there was no refund on the package for I had already began the package (the airport pick up) a very clever scam you can suggest. I left and stayed in an Irish pub in the nearby town, and discoved that all the locals I spoke too have heard similuar complaints, and did not get along with the bully that ran this place (jeff I think his name was) AVOID THIS PLACE.
