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Lake Brunner Lodge, Mitchells, history *PHOTO ALBUM*
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DescriptionThis is the Lake Brunner Lodge which we have just bought! It was originally established as the Mitchell's Lake Hotel in 1868 and then it was rebuilt in the 1930's, and here we are in 2021. The Lodge runs on hydro power from the nearby Carew Falls, the owners who rebuilt the lodge (Ted and Renee Morgan), were responsible for harnessing the power from the waterfall to power the lodge. It's awesome to be a part of the West Coast history. Come swing by some time for a drink and a meal sometime and check out the history on the walls.Map[1] ContributorAnna Lynch
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Location (city or town)MitchellsLandmark (Place)Lake Brunner LodgeEventLake Brunner Lodge, Mitchells, history
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Date Created5th May 2021CommentsWayne Chapman
Did building work there many moons ago for Grant Jamieson and his Canadian wife as well as a lot of trout fishing.
Alan Pegley
Wayne Chapman Grant & Jeannie. Spent many hours there too. Grant & Jack were good mates
PaulAnthony Teens
Wayne Chapman hope you left their daughter alone
Claude Ilton
We had sports days there
Anna Lynch
Claude Ilton awesome! Was that out on the field in front of the lodge?
Claude Ilton
Anna Lynch yes all sorts of sport and wood chopping
Craig Morgan
Are you doing meals?
Anna Lynch
Craig Morgan sure do! In winter we do Friday/Saturday/Sunday lunch and dinner and we do week nights if there are people staying or if you book in advance. We will be putting a menu up online in the next week so that you know what is on offer. Cheers, A… See More
Craig Morgan
Anna Lynch Thanks we will be over
Linda Howard
Had some very good nights out there in the 70s.
Anna Lynch
Neville Burt
Stayed here last Winter and a great experience, Very warm building and great views out to lake.
Selwyn Leitch
My parents, Rex and Phyllis Leitch had their honeymoon at the then Mitchells hotel in January 1944. Dad who was in the Royal New Zealand Airforce, had just returned from the Pacific theatre. I have two photographs of the. In front of Grandad Leitc… See More
Anna Lynch
Selwyn Leitch I love that this Lodge has been a part of so many peoples lives over the years, we would love to get copies of these photos some time to put in a Lodge album!
Greg Hine
Selwyn Leitch I’m also ex RNZAF and keen to carry on the tradition
Helen Joan Forrest
Last time I was there I thought the huge windows in the dining room were amazing. Each one framed a view like a painting. Stunning
Nina Townsend
Was a pit stop for the forestry crews. Had many damp days in there waiting for the bosses to call work off cause it was to wet even learnt to play euchre there gd times
Jill Craw
Nina Townsend I remember being taken out there as a kid for a forestry breakup in the 70's. I got drunk finishing everyones beers lol.
Debbie Hills
My great grandparents lived in the original hotel with their children with some being born there.
No photo description available.
Anna Lynch
Debbie Hills Wow! That is going back, so interesting.
Debbie Hills
Anna I will copy the two photos I have and send with the names. We will visit at some stage. Called in last October but place was closed.
Rose Nolan
Debbie Hills what year were the photos taken
·
Cole Jones
Anna Lynch have you read the book "hidden valley" there's a bit about the lodge and Morgan family in it. I believe Renee Morgan died not that long ago aged 108!
Anna Lynch
Cole Jones not yet, I’ll be reading this weekend though as it’s at the lodge
Debbie Hills
Rose it would have been taken 1908.
Lyn Whittle
Went to some great gigs there back in the 80s.
Jan Reed
Beautiful place we were there last summer and had lunch with a band playing. Why go overseas when you have this
Leona Jean Proudfoot
Fiona Tim Grubb , I have some amazing memories from when your Dad and Marion owned this amazing place, they did so much work.
Cheryl Watson
Your mum worked at Mitchell’s pub,before she married your dad,x
Greg Hine
I’ve driven past here and admired it a thousand times when we used to spotlight the kumara - inchbonnie road for possums and deer as a teenager in the 90s, always thought it was a beautiful spot, and sure my family from Te Kinga have spent many evening… See More
Fleur Ngahuia Bishara
Greg Hine meet you there, its about time we went back out for a drink there too
Bob Laing
I recall it as a young chap of 5-6 some 65 years ago.
Great location.
I hope all goes well for you. I will stop a night when I next come back to NZ
Sue Abbott
Such a beautiful spot and the lodge looks gorgeous. I’ve stopped here couple times in late 70’s for a drink
Can’t wait to come visit again. I wish you all the success
Alan Sadler
The lodge looks absolutely amazing. I wish you well in your future there.
What an incredible place your children will have to grow up.
Gaye Jenkins
I hope you do super well. It's a beautiful place Lake Brunner. Perfect for holidays....and kiwis don't even have to leave home.
Vern Pattinson
I remember when Henderson had thats lodge when I was working at Griffin and Smiths they came in for there groceries
Rosemarie Searle
Popped in last Sunday. Lovely to relax for a while in lovely surroundings.
Paddy Sweeney
Was a great place to go on a Saturday with a few car loads of mates for a solid Saturday session
Rod Berry
Paddy Sweeney Days of old Paddy, i wouldn't stand up to the pace these days!
Paddy Sweeney
How we never crashed on the narrow widy road i will never know. There were no nominated drivers or beathalisers, Just roar into the grog like there wasnt going to be any left. Crazy, very few crashes or people getting killed in those days.
Moira O'Shea
Walking up the old water pipe behind the hotel to the waterfall was a family favourite. Looking forward to revisiting the Lodge.
Rusty Skerten
I remember the lights would fade and we would toss a coin as to who would walk up to clear the intake to the water pipe so power would be restored Also the competition of swinging the ring suspended on a string in the bar so it would catch on a hook on the wall you would think you had mastered it then the barman would come and face the other way swing it away from himself let it come back pass over his shoulder and onto the ring many jugs drunk trying that
Wayne Nicholson
Rusty Skerten . Played that game many a time back in the 70's / 80's. Jack Meates was the host, from memory. His last words, each night as we left for Iveagh Bay - "The lakes on the left" ! I must return .
Glenn Johnston
Had a few quiet beers there in the late 70's and even looked at the power scheme but haven't been inside the pub/lodge since. I've been in the area quite a bit over the years but didn't realise the establishment was currently open to the public.
Margaret Malloch
Lovely place went their when we were young while jamiesons were there
Linda Sara
I remember many many Sunday drives to the hotel when I was a child growing up in greymouth
Timothy Wakefield
It was always a beautiful location, and a great pub!
Christine O'Hagan
Looks amazing!!!
Alice Gilsenan
Wow that’s wonderful must visit when down that way Congrats
Joanne Tunnage
Beautiful peaceful location.
Just pack your bug spray.
Bob Jamieson
Yes, we had a great evening there when Gray Henderson owned it, An Australian film crew were filming a travel doco, this as late 1960's.
Phil Barker
Check out nz tree register some of the largest native trees in nz are close by including the largest kahikatea
Catherine Brian Denton
We stayed there for a couple of weeks when Grey Henderson and family owned it . We worked for the NZ Forest Service and were involved in opening a boundary line on nearby Mt. Te Kinga.
Bryce Smith
I remember it when we lived in Moana.
Karen Jones
Best wishes on your new adventure. I lived at Mitchell’s many years ago.I also remember the sports days out on the front paddock in the days when the Jamison’s owned the lodge.
Brian Gus Heveldt
Yes famous Pub when we were young fellows for The Ring On a String that you tried to get on the hook.I think when we were young it was a very hospitable place for us under age drinkers and it was to far out of Town for the Cops to worry about us.
Jenny Marshall
Grorge Morgan, son of Ted and Renee was killed at the carew falls. Their daughter Renee still lives in Wellington
PaulAnthony Teens
Yes Gus. The police man in Kumara only had a bike
John Bryce
Had some miners picnics there in the fifty’s lo
Craig Smith
Did something with the bearings on the water wheel back in the early 90s
Rob Little
Craig Smith .Is it a Pelton wheel or a old fashion water wheel?
Craig Smith
Rob Little geez mate. Memory banks fading. Pelton wheel maybe?
Craig Adair
It’s a fantastic lodge I go there regularly and it’s beautiful kept
Bazza Morland
Played our first gig there with 'The Cowper Street Band' a double billing with 'The Blackball Shufflers' circa '85 when Jack and June Meates were 'mine hosts' . great era ...!
Marty Farty
Bazza Morland History, and a few years later The Blackball Shufflers rocked the Barrytown,. . you also Bazza and crew. If I remember correctly.
Graham Hay
Bazza Morland I remember going out there to a gig on a bus, can't remember who was playing, could've been that night.
Great night.
Peter Morgan
When it was a pib it was the cause of the demise of a number of vechiles attempting to navigate the gravel on the way back to the tarseal at kumara
Anna Lynch
Peter Morgan it’s still a pub, but that’s why you just stay the night instead
Chris Elley
Looks great, Do you do a Sunday brunch?
Anna Lynch
Chris Elley we open at 11 for lunch but don’t have a brunch menu yet but it’s something we are looking into
Marty Farty
Chris Elley looks great. Hey you always thinking of your belly?
Anne Hines
Michael Hines
Donna Klocke
Congratulations on now owning a piece of NZ ( South Island) history !! I’m sure you will enjoy meeting many people over the coming months / years
Steph JF
Would love to stay in our campervan but need power in cooler months for warmth. So will put on to do list for Summer xxx
Greg Hine
Steph JF c’mon Auntie, you’re a tough coaster, extra bear skin on the bed and you’ll be right!
John Hurley
It looks the same vintage as Mueller Lodge at Franz?
Anna Lynch
John Hurley oh, I’ll have to check that one out!
Did building work there many moons ago for Grant Jamieson and his Canadian wife as well as a lot of trout fishing.
Alan Pegley
Wayne Chapman Grant & Jeannie. Spent many hours there too. Grant & Jack were good mates
PaulAnthony Teens
Wayne Chapman hope you left their daughter alone
Claude Ilton
We had sports days there
Anna Lynch
Claude Ilton awesome! Was that out on the field in front of the lodge?
Claude Ilton
Anna Lynch yes all sorts of sport and wood chopping
Craig Morgan
Are you doing meals?
Anna Lynch
Craig Morgan sure do! In winter we do Friday/Saturday/Sunday lunch and dinner and we do week nights if there are people staying or if you book in advance. We will be putting a menu up online in the next week so that you know what is on offer. Cheers, A… See More
Craig Morgan
Anna Lynch Thanks we will be over
Linda Howard
Had some very good nights out there in the 70s.
Anna Lynch
Neville Burt
Stayed here last Winter and a great experience, Very warm building and great views out to lake.
Selwyn Leitch
My parents, Rex and Phyllis Leitch had their honeymoon at the then Mitchells hotel in January 1944. Dad who was in the Royal New Zealand Airforce, had just returned from the Pacific theatre. I have two photographs of the. In front of Grandad Leitc… See More
Anna Lynch
Selwyn Leitch I love that this Lodge has been a part of so many peoples lives over the years, we would love to get copies of these photos some time to put in a Lodge album!
Greg Hine
Selwyn Leitch I’m also ex RNZAF and keen to carry on the tradition
Helen Joan Forrest
Last time I was there I thought the huge windows in the dining room were amazing. Each one framed a view like a painting. Stunning
Nina Townsend
Was a pit stop for the forestry crews. Had many damp days in there waiting for the bosses to call work off cause it was to wet even learnt to play euchre there gd times
Jill Craw
Nina Townsend I remember being taken out there as a kid for a forestry breakup in the 70's. I got drunk finishing everyones beers lol.
Debbie Hills
My great grandparents lived in the original hotel with their children with some being born there.
No photo description available.
Anna Lynch
Debbie Hills Wow! That is going back, so interesting.
Debbie Hills
Anna I will copy the two photos I have and send with the names. We will visit at some stage. Called in last October but place was closed.
Rose Nolan
Debbie Hills what year were the photos taken
·
Cole Jones
Anna Lynch have you read the book "hidden valley" there's a bit about the lodge and Morgan family in it. I believe Renee Morgan died not that long ago aged 108!
Anna Lynch
Cole Jones not yet, I’ll be reading this weekend though as it’s at the lodge
Debbie Hills
Rose it would have been taken 1908.
Lyn Whittle
Went to some great gigs there back in the 80s.
Jan Reed
Beautiful place we were there last summer and had lunch with a band playing. Why go overseas when you have this
Leona Jean Proudfoot
Fiona Tim Grubb , I have some amazing memories from when your Dad and Marion owned this amazing place, they did so much work.
Cheryl Watson
Your mum worked at Mitchell’s pub,before she married your dad,x
Greg Hine
I’ve driven past here and admired it a thousand times when we used to spotlight the kumara - inchbonnie road for possums and deer as a teenager in the 90s, always thought it was a beautiful spot, and sure my family from Te Kinga have spent many evening… See More
Fleur Ngahuia Bishara
Greg Hine meet you there, its about time we went back out for a drink there too
Bob Laing
I recall it as a young chap of 5-6 some 65 years ago.
Great location.
I hope all goes well for you. I will stop a night when I next come back to NZ
Sue Abbott
Such a beautiful spot and the lodge looks gorgeous. I’ve stopped here couple times in late 70’s for a drink
Can’t wait to come visit again. I wish you all the success
Alan Sadler
The lodge looks absolutely amazing. I wish you well in your future there.
What an incredible place your children will have to grow up.
Gaye Jenkins
I hope you do super well. It's a beautiful place Lake Brunner. Perfect for holidays....and kiwis don't even have to leave home.
Vern Pattinson
I remember when Henderson had thats lodge when I was working at Griffin and Smiths they came in for there groceries
Rosemarie Searle
Popped in last Sunday. Lovely to relax for a while in lovely surroundings.
Paddy Sweeney
Was a great place to go on a Saturday with a few car loads of mates for a solid Saturday session
Rod Berry
Paddy Sweeney Days of old Paddy, i wouldn't stand up to the pace these days!
Paddy Sweeney
How we never crashed on the narrow widy road i will never know. There were no nominated drivers or beathalisers, Just roar into the grog like there wasnt going to be any left. Crazy, very few crashes or people getting killed in those days.
Moira O'Shea
Walking up the old water pipe behind the hotel to the waterfall was a family favourite. Looking forward to revisiting the Lodge.
Rusty Skerten
I remember the lights would fade and we would toss a coin as to who would walk up to clear the intake to the water pipe so power would be restored Also the competition of swinging the ring suspended on a string in the bar so it would catch on a hook on the wall you would think you had mastered it then the barman would come and face the other way swing it away from himself let it come back pass over his shoulder and onto the ring many jugs drunk trying that
Wayne Nicholson
Rusty Skerten . Played that game many a time back in the 70's / 80's. Jack Meates was the host, from memory. His last words, each night as we left for Iveagh Bay - "The lakes on the left" ! I must return .
Glenn Johnston
Had a few quiet beers there in the late 70's and even looked at the power scheme but haven't been inside the pub/lodge since. I've been in the area quite a bit over the years but didn't realise the establishment was currently open to the public.
Margaret Malloch
Lovely place went their when we were young while jamiesons were there
Linda Sara
I remember many many Sunday drives to the hotel when I was a child growing up in greymouth
Timothy Wakefield
It was always a beautiful location, and a great pub!
Christine O'Hagan
Looks amazing!!!
Alice Gilsenan
Wow that’s wonderful must visit when down that way Congrats
Joanne Tunnage
Beautiful peaceful location.
Just pack your bug spray.
Bob Jamieson
Yes, we had a great evening there when Gray Henderson owned it, An Australian film crew were filming a travel doco, this as late 1960's.
Phil Barker
Check out nz tree register some of the largest native trees in nz are close by including the largest kahikatea
Catherine Brian Denton
We stayed there for a couple of weeks when Grey Henderson and family owned it . We worked for the NZ Forest Service and were involved in opening a boundary line on nearby Mt. Te Kinga.
Bryce Smith
I remember it when we lived in Moana.
Karen Jones
Best wishes on your new adventure. I lived at Mitchell’s many years ago.I also remember the sports days out on the front paddock in the days when the Jamison’s owned the lodge.
Brian Gus Heveldt
Yes famous Pub when we were young fellows for The Ring On a String that you tried to get on the hook.I think when we were young it was a very hospitable place for us under age drinkers and it was to far out of Town for the Cops to worry about us.
Jenny Marshall
Grorge Morgan, son of Ted and Renee was killed at the carew falls. Their daughter Renee still lives in Wellington
PaulAnthony Teens
Yes Gus. The police man in Kumara only had a bike
John Bryce
Had some miners picnics there in the fifty’s lo
Craig Smith
Did something with the bearings on the water wheel back in the early 90s
Rob Little
Craig Smith .Is it a Pelton wheel or a old fashion water wheel?
Craig Smith
Rob Little geez mate. Memory banks fading. Pelton wheel maybe?
Craig Adair
It’s a fantastic lodge I go there regularly and it’s beautiful kept
Bazza Morland
Played our first gig there with 'The Cowper Street Band' a double billing with 'The Blackball Shufflers' circa '85 when Jack and June Meates were 'mine hosts' . great era ...!
Marty Farty
Bazza Morland History, and a few years later The Blackball Shufflers rocked the Barrytown,. . you also Bazza and crew. If I remember correctly.
Graham Hay
Bazza Morland I remember going out there to a gig on a bus, can't remember who was playing, could've been that night.
Great night.
Peter Morgan
When it was a pib it was the cause of the demise of a number of vechiles attempting to navigate the gravel on the way back to the tarseal at kumara
Anna Lynch
Peter Morgan it’s still a pub, but that’s why you just stay the night instead
Chris Elley
Looks great, Do you do a Sunday brunch?
Anna Lynch
Chris Elley we open at 11 for lunch but don’t have a brunch menu yet but it’s something we are looking into
Marty Farty
Chris Elley looks great. Hey you always thinking of your belly?
Anne Hines
Michael Hines
Donna Klocke
Congratulations on now owning a piece of NZ ( South Island) history !! I’m sure you will enjoy meeting many people over the coming months / years
Steph JF
Would love to stay in our campervan but need power in cooler months for warmth. So will put on to do list for Summer xxx
Greg Hine
Steph JF c’mon Auntie, you’re a tough coaster, extra bear skin on the bed and you’ll be right!
John Hurley
It looks the same vintage as Mueller Lodge at Franz?
Anna Lynch
John Hurley oh, I’ll have to check that one out!
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West Coast New Zealand History (7th May 2021). Lake Brunner Lodge, Mitchells, history *PHOTO ALBUM*. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 5th Apr 2026 10:51, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/29334