South Pacific · Southern Alps & Lakes
The Southern Alps and great lakes of New Zealand’s South Island: a private villa on a hill above Lake Wakatipu, and a high-country station in the Ahuriri Valley.
Now in New Zealand
From Choose a departure city Approx. flying time, non-stop equivalent
South Pacific · Southern Alps & Lakes
New Zealand lies far out in the South Pacific, and in its South Island the Southern Alps run the length of the west coast. Among their eastern ranges lie the Southern Lakes: Lake Wakatipu, the longest lake in the country, with Queenstown on its shore, and at its northern head the small town of Glenorchy, where two World Heritage areas, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Park, are minutes away by helicopter.
We open New Zealand in two places. At Queenstown & Lake Wakatipu, The Villa at Blanket Bay is a private house of four King suites on the hill above Blanket Bay Lodge, with its own chef and kitchen, twin hot tubs on the lawn and the lake below. Beyond the Lindis Pass in Central Otago, The Lindis keeps five suites and three glass Pods on a high-country station in the Ahuriri Valley, beneath some of the darkest night skies on earth. Between them lies the New Zealand of jet boats on glacial rivers, helicopters to Milford Sound and long, quiet evenings by a stone fire.
Why visit
Featured properties
Houses we know by name, each one we would send you to first.
On the hill above Blanket Bay Lodge, Glenorchy · head of Lake Wakatipu, near Queenstown: two or four King suites
Four King suites in a stone-and-timber villa on the hill above Blanket Bay Lodge, with a chef in its own kitchen, twin hot tubs on the lawn and Lake Wakatipu below.
Ben Avon Station, Ahuriri Valley, near Omarama · Otago, South Island, New Zealand · five suites and three Pods
Five suites and three glass Pods on a 6,500-acre high-country station in New Zealand’s Ahuriri Valley, beneath some of the darkest night skies on earth. Two MICHELIN Keys.
Between Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka · Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand · a sole-use villa of four suites
A sole-use villa of four suites beneath a copper roof, on a private 7,000-acre high-country estate between Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka, with a private chef and Villa Host.
Near Russell, Bay of Islands · Northland, North Island, New Zealand · two villas and four off-grid cabins
Two villas and four off-grid cabins on a private 75-acre coastal estate in the Bay of Islands, with its own vineyard, winery and Sage Restaurant, awarded One Hat.
Lake Hayes, between Queenstown and Arrowtown · an 8 minute drive to Arrowtown, about 25 minutes to central Queenstown
A seven-bedroom house on the hillside above Lake Hayes, between Queenstown and Arrowtown, with lake and mountain views, a yoga studio, a gym and an oversized spa pool in the garden.
Edinburgh Drive, above central Queenstown · minutes from the town centre and the lake
A six-bedroom house above central Queenstown with sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu, an art collection, a lake view spa pool, a cedar sauna and a terraced garden, minutes from town.
Park Street, Queenstown, a stone's throw from Lake Wakatipu · a flat ten minute walk to the town centre
A new three-bedroom house a stone's throw from Lake Wakatipu and a ten minute walk from central Queenstown, with floor-to-ceiling lake views, a media room and a spa pool in the garden.
Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road, beside the Millbrook golf course · under five minutes by car to Arrowtown, a short walk to Ayrburn
A six-bedroom homestead in sprawling gardens beside the Millbrook championship golf course near Arrowtown, with an infinity pool, spa pool, tennis court and views to The Remarkables.
Limerick Lane, on the hillside above Lake Wakatipu · minutes from central Queenstown
An architect-designed house of cedar and Otago schist on the hillside above Lake Wakatipu, minutes from central Queenstown, with five en suite bedrooms, an NZ art collection, a fire pit and a spa pool.
Earl Street, in the heart of downtown Queenstown · steps from Lake Wakatipu and the Queenstown Gardens
A two-bedroom luxury apartment in the heart of downtown Queenstown, steps from Lake Wakatipu and the Queenstown Gardens, with two en suites, a gas fire and a private balcony over town.
On a ridgeline above Lake Wanaka, Motatapu Valley · about 25 minutes to Wanaka, 10 to 15 minutes by helicopter from Queenstown Airport
An exclusive-use, fully hosted homestead of five suites on a ridgeline above Lake Wanaka, within a 55,000 hectare private conservation estate, with a private chef, a pool and a spa pool.
Sub-destinations
Towns, islands, and smaller landscapes that sit inside this one.
New Zealand
The Southern Lakes around Queenstown, where The Villa at Blanket Bay keeps four King suites on a hill at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
New Zealand
Otago’s high country of lakes, schist ranges and mountain passes, and beyond the Lindis Pass the Ahuriri Valley, home of The Lindis.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s subtropical far north: 144 islands, sheltered coves and historic Russell, home to Paroa Bay and Sage Restaurant.
When and how
Each season keeps its own calendar. We plan the transfer around it.
Best time to visit
New Zealand’s seasons run opposite to the Northern Hemisphere’s. Around the Southern Lakes, the summer months bring long days for walking, riding and the water; winter, roughly May to September, brings snow to the ranges, open fires and heli-skiing.
Seasonality
The wineries and golf courses are open all year. The festive weeks of late December and early January are the most sought-after at Blanket Bay and are best reserved early; your advisor confirms the Villa’s dates when you inquire.
Airport / logistics
Most international travelers connect through Auckland. Nonstop flights take about twelve hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco, fourteen to sixteen from Houston or Dallas, and sixteen to eighteen from Chicago or New York. Queenstown (ZQN) is about an hour and three-quarters from Auckland and three hours direct from Sydney.
Luxury experiences
Suggested journeys
Days held in sequence, not a list of nights.
From the Journal
Where we write about this place: the seasons, the houses and how the days are best arranged.
Related destinations
Landscapes that sit well beside this one.
Destination
Fiji with Exclusive Villa Collection: private-island living at LAUCALA, arranged privately by inquiry.
Destination
Austria with Exclusive Villa Collection: Lake Grundlsee and Villa Anna, an alpine-lake house arranged by inquiry.
Destination
The great North of the Americas: the Alaska Range and its glaciers, salmon rivers without roads, and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, a short flight west of Anchorage.
Plan My Trip
Tell us the season, the company, and the feeling you want to keep. We will write back with a considered path, not a link to a search.
Write to an advisor
