Jamestown Bay is located inside the Fiordland National Park on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The historical township of Jamestown is situated around the edge of a unique and beautiful, halfmoon shaped bay, bordering the unspoiled and remote Lake McKerrow. It is on the route of the world famous Hollyford Walking Track.
The Township was surveyed in 1870 by John Strauchion. It consisted of 126 sections. The purpose of the township was to establish a settlement and trading post for closer access to Australia from the developing Central Otago Goldfields. However neither Jamestown nor the surrounding area ever truly developed, as the government of the day had difficulty serving the remote location and by 1879 the town was reported deserted. Very few sections were ever cleared of the forest and only a couple of houses were constructed. In 1904 the Fiordland National park was established. Over the years, titles and Jamestown were either given or purchased by the Government for inclusion into the Park.
The Fiordland National Park is the fourth largest park in the World, area of 1,252,297 hectares. It deservedly holds the status of a World Heritage Park. The pristine wilderness and breath taking scenery attracts tourists from all over the world. There are an estimated 450,000 visitors annually to the park, the majority of whom visit Milford Sound.
A very scenic, helicopter flight of 15 minutes can bring one from this famous, over sketched, over commercialized sound to the tranquil, unspoiled Bay of Jamestown, were the small scale eco-tourism venture of Charlie's Place truly exists with nature.
FISHING is a multimillion dollar business in New Zealand, as fisherman from around the world heve discovered our clear, un-polluted and well stocked waters. Another unique feature of Jamestown is the range of accessible fishing water one has with the aid of a Jetboat. Wilderness Fishing here is the best available in New Zealand, involving 3 lakes, 2 river systems and the open sea - Lake McKerrow, Lake Alabaster, Lake Wilmot, the Hollyford River, the Pyke River and the Tasman Sea.
These lakes, rivers and coastline are very remote and the fishing can be excellent. There are times of the year when you can fish these lakes and rivers and not see another fisherman (or any any one else) for weeks. As well as trout, salmon run in these waters.HUNTING is challenging for clients unaccustomed to the New Zealand bush conditions. The same country accessible by Jetboat for the fisherman also gives the hunter many excellent options as well.