Mt Isthmus Luxury Villa, Lake Hāwea | Exclusive Villa Collection

Between Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka · Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand · a sole-use villa of four suites

Mt Isthmus Villa

A sole-use villa of four suites on a private 7,000-acre high-country estate between Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka, its copper roof flowing like the river and the land, with Isthmus Peak above and the Milky Way overhead. A private chef and Villa Host for the household alone. Arranged privately by Exclusive Villa Collection on inquiry.

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The house

In stills

A first reading of the stay: rooms, light, and the quiet between them. Each still is a note, not a catalogue.

The copper roof of Mt Isthmus Villa folding like a mountain range, with sunlit peaks behind — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Mt Isthmus Villa on the station grassland as the last sun turns the peaks above it orange — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Aerial view of the curving copper roof of Mt Isthmus Villa with Lake Hāwea and the mountains beyond — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Mt Isthmus Villa low in golden tussock at sunrise, the ranges of the Southern Alps around it — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The copper-clad walls and windows of Mt Isthmus Villa turned toward Lake Hāwea — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The shore of Lake Hāwea below green hills and mountains, near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The living room of Mt Isthmus Villa: deep sofas around a glass fireplace beneath ring lights and a timber ceiling — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The open-plan living room of Mt Isthmus Villa with walls of glass to Lake Hāwea and the mountains — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A fire burning in the glass fireplace of the living room at Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The dining table of Mt Isthmus Villa beneath ring pendants, the lake view through the glass — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The kitchen of Mt Isthmus Villa: a sculptural island beneath angled timber walls — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The bar at Mt Isthmus Villa, its stools lined up under warm timber and soft light — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A shoal of sculpted fish across a timber wall inside Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A timber corridor at Mt Isthmus Villa lit by a line of light, with sculpture set into the wall — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A suite at Mt Isthmus Villa: the bed beneath sloping timber, glass looking out to the lake — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A suite at Mt Isthmus Villa: the bed and a wall of glass onto the tussock hills — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

An ensuite at Mt Isthmus Villa, timber and dark stone around a glass shower — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The games room at Mt Isthmus Villa: a pool table and window seat beneath raking timber walls — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The media room at Mt Isthmus Villa, low sofas facing a large screen — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A plate of seared venison with a glass of red wine, served by the private chef at Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Crayfish with handmade pasta and herbs, prepared by the private chef at Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Bottles of New Zealand wine resting in the wine store at Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Canapés and wine before dinner at Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A helicopter flying past snow-covered peaks of the Southern Alps near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A hiker on a snowy ridgeline above the clouds in the mountains near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A raft on a clear alpine river between beech forest and snowy peaks, near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Aerial view of a raft below a waterfall in a turquoise river pool, near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A helicopter landed beside a clear river in a rocky gorge, on an excursion from Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Walkers on a guided hike in a green alpine valley beneath snowy peaks, near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Golden tussock and a rocky peak on the high-country station around Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

A New Zealand falcon perched above Lake Hāwea, near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Merino sheep on a sunny hillside of the station at Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The mountains above Mt Isthmus Villa lit red at the last of the day — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Mt Isthmus Villa lit at night beneath a sky full of stars — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The entrance hall of Mt Isthmus Villa, a timber stair rising beneath angled light — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The southern lights glowing pink and green above Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The Experience

How the days feel

Between two glacial lakes in New Zealand’s Central Otago, Lake Hāwea to the east and Lake Wānaka to the west, a narrow neck of high country rises to Isthmus Peak. Here, on a private 7,000-acre station of tussock, schist and open sky, stands a single house: Mt Isthmus Villa, taken by one party at a time.

From above, the copper roof folds and flows like the contours of the river and the land. Inside, polished concrete, warm timber and curated artworks frame the views, and walls of glass turn every room to the lake or the peak. There are four suites, an expansive living and dining room, a full kitchen, a games room with a pool table and bar, a media room and a spa pool on the lawn.

The house comes with its people. A dedicated Villa Host plans the days before arrival and looks after them once you are there; a private chef cooks breakfast each morning and a multi-course dinner each evening, after drinks and canapés. Days might begin on the ridge to Isthmus Peak, take in a helicopter into Mount Aspiring National Park or a river in the hills, and end in the hot tub under the Milky Way.

Your Exclusive Villa Collection advisor arranges the stay directly with the villa’s team, from a few quiet nights for two to a full house of family or friends, and shapes the arrival, the experiences and the journeys beyond the lakes around the days you want.

Why EVC loves it

Why we would send you here

A whole house, alone Four suites under one copper roof, reserved for a single party on a private 7,000-acre high-country estate.
Two lakes, one peak Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka on either side, and Isthmus Peak directly above, walkable from the door in a day.
A chef and a host A private chef for breakfast and a multi-course dinner each night, and a Villa Host who plans every day with you.
Built for the views Polished concrete, curated art and walls of glass, with a games room, a media room and a hot tub on the lawn.
The Southern Alps by air Heli-hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park in summer and heli-skiing across the Southern Alps in winter.

Accommodations

Four suites, and the whole house

Mt Isthmus Villa is reserved by one party at a time: four suites with super king beds and ensuites, living spaces opening to Lake Hāwea, and a games room and media room for evenings in.

Room 01

The suites

Four suites · Super king beds or twins · Each with an ensuite

Four suites, each with a super king bed that can be made as twins and its own ensuite. Angled walls of glass bring the tussock, the lake and the slopes of Isthmus Peak into the room, with turndown each evening and housekeeping each day.
Room 02

Living, dining & kitchen

Open-plan living & dining · Full kitchen · Lake and mountain views

An expansive living and dining room with walls of glass to Lake Hāwea and the mountains, finished in polished concrete and hung with curated art. The full kitchen opens to the table, where your private chef cooks breakfast and a multi-course dinner each day.
Room 03

Games & media rooms

Pool table & bar · Media room · Spa pool on the lawn

A games room with a pool table and a bar for drinks before dinner, and a media room with deep sofas for film nights. Outside, the spa pool sits on the lawn facing the lake.

Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Inside the stay

The house, in notes

Where you sleep, what you eat, and how you arrive: the essentials, in brief.

The view from the bed of a suite at Mt Isthmus Villa: tussock hills through a wall of glass — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

The villa

Four suites under a copper roof

Mt Isthmus Villa is reserved by one party at a time: four suites, open living spaces turned to the lake and the peak, and rooms for evenings in.

Four suites. Each has a super king bed that can be made as twins and its own ensuite, with glass framing the lake, the mountains or the slopes of Isthmus Peak.

Living and dining. An expansive living and dining room with views of Lake Hāwea, and a full kitchen where the chef works, with indoor and outdoor places to eat.

For evenings in. A games room with a pool table and bar, a media room for films, a spa pool on the lawn, Wi-Fi throughout and a laundry.

Design. A copper-clad roof that follows the lines of the land, polished concrete floors and curated artworks inside.

A plated dessert from the private chef at Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Dining

A private chef, every evening

Every meal is cooked in the villa by your private chef, so the table moves with the day and the mood of the house.

Arrival. A bottle of Louis Roederer Champagne and a seasonal grazing platter are waiting when you arrive.

Breakfast and dinner. The chef prepares breakfast each morning and a multi-course dinner each evening, after pre-dinner drinks and canapés: a long dinner at the table by the glass, a sharing-style feast or a Kiwi barbecue on the terrace.

Lunch. Provisions are left for lunch on your own schedule, packed for the hills or laid out at the villa.

Beyond the villa. Private wine tastings and distillery visits in the region, culinary helicopter flights, and a flight to The Lindis for a barbecue lunch with Champagne at its Black Diamond pavilion.

The cedar hot tub on the lawn at Mt Isthmus Villa, looking out over Lake Hāwea to the mountains — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Wellbeing

Lake light and mountain air

Wellbeing at Mt Isthmus is mostly the land: lake light, mountain air and the quiet of a private station.

The spa pool. A hot tub on the lawn, looking over Lake Hāwea to the mountains, for an evening soak under the Milky Way.

Massage. In-villa massage, arranged privately for the days that call for rest.

Dark skies. By night the skies above the station come alive with the Milky Way, and Dark Sky experiences can be arranged.

Walking. Scenic walks and station tours, and the full-day climb to Isthmus Peak from the villa.

A raft drifting down a clear river between beech forest and alpine peaks, near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Experiences

Lakes, rivers and the Southern Alps

Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s great adventure regions, and the villa’s team arranges it privately, from the door or by helicopter.

Peaks and valleys. The hike to Isthmus Peak, about five to six hours; a guided day walk in Mount Aspiring National Park; and a tour of a working high-country station.

By helicopter. A guided heli-hike in Mount Aspiring National Park; a flight from the villa into the Siberia Valley for a hike and a jet boat ride down the Wilkin River; a glacier landing in the Matukituki Valley with a ridgeline walk and a private lunch; and a flight to The Lindis for a barbecue lunch at the Black Diamond.

On the water. Guided fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout, rafting on the Hāwea River with a barbecue in a private tipi, inflatable kayaks through the Blue Pools, jet boating, boating and kite surfing.

In winter. Heli-skiing across more than 17 ranges and 800 runs of the Southern Alps, flown to the best snow each day.

Friends hiking a sunlit ridge at sunset in the hills around Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Who it is best for

For one household at a time

Family

A house for people who want the high country to themselves, and someone to look after them in it.

Families and friends. Four suites, a games room and a media room, with a chef and a host, for a family gathering, a celebration or a group of friends.

Couples. The whole house for two, with dinner by the fire and the hot tub under the stars.

Walkers, anglers and skiers. Isthmus Peak from the door, trout rivers within reach and heli-skiing in winter.

Good to know. The villa is reserved exclusively for one party at a time.

A helicopter set down on a tussock ridge above the lakes near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Arrival

Between the lakes

Mt Isthmus Villa lies on the neck of land between Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka, reached by a private road from the highway north of Lake Hāwea township.

By air. The nearest airports are Wānaka and Queenstown, with Christchurch for longer connections.

By road. About 20 minutes from Wānaka, 1.5 hours from Queenstown and 6 hours from Christchurch, by private vehicle or self-drive.

By helicopter. Helicopter transfers can be arranged to the villa.

Good to know. The villa provides backpacks, GPS devices and umbrellas; pack for both warm and cool weather. Your advisor sequences flights, transfers and the stay as one plan.

Snow on the mountains above Lake Hāwea in winter, near Mt Isthmus Villa — Photo courtesy of The Lindis Group

Seasonality

Summer trails, winter powder

Central Otago has four distinct seasons, and the weather in the mountains can change quickly, so layers are wise all year.

Summer and autumn. November to April is the season for heli-hiking, guided fly fishing and the station farm tour; river rafting and the Blue Pools run from October.

Winter. June to September is heli-skiing season in the Southern Alps, with snow on the ranges, long clear nights and evenings by the fire.

All year. Scenic walks, wine tastings, massage and the night sky.

Festive weeks. Christmas and New Year are the most sought-after dates; your advisor confirms availability when you inquire.

Pair it with

A natural companion

A second stay that belongs on the same itinerary.

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Also in these collections

The collections that hold this stay

Each collection gathers houses that share a way of traveling. Open one to see its companion stays and shores.

From the Journal

A story that includes this stay

Where this house appears in our writing, beside the places and companions we pair with it.

Journal · 8 min read

The Angler’s Year: From Bonefish Flats to Salmon Rivers

Bonefish on the South Andros flats, marlin off Fiji, trout on the Ahuriri and king salmon in Alaska: the lodges we choose when the fishing is the reason to go.

Read the story

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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.

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Mt Isthmus Villa

Mt Isthmus Villa

In stills

How the days feel

Why we would send you here

Four suites, and the whole house

The suites

Living, dining & kitchen

Games & media rooms