Fiordland Lodge

This Victorian mansion at the top of South Hill in Oamaru was built in 1889, and is believed to be the largest single-storey wooden dwelling in Australasia. The current owners bought the lodge in 2010 and have focussed on ensuring the historic homestead continues to be a welcoming and luxurious retreat for visitors to the coastal town. The lodge and its five individually decorated guest rooms are filled with antiques and furnishings that date right back to the original owners. The story goes that while the house was being built, they spent four years travelling Europe collecting all the fitting and artworks they wanted to feature in their home. That original collection now also includes pieces left to the new owners by the families that owned the house over the years. Some of the rooms offer views out over the stone terrace and gardens or the Pacific Ocean and the Kakanui Ranges. Dining is a highlight and exquisite meals are created using seasonal and locally-sourced produce, some of it from the hotel’s own gardens. Meals are served table d’hôte style and guests often sit together at the large tables in the dining room, although private dining can be arranged for those keen on a more secluded dining experience. All dietary needs can be catered for. Guests can either make use of the hotel’s small fitness room or a nearby fitness centre. Massages and treatments can also be arranged.

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Banks Peninsula are Annandale’s four luxury villas. Each one has its own unique character and enjoys an idyllic and secluded location within the a 40,000-acre working coastal farm. A stay at Annandale allows you to totally immerse yourself in this most incredible of landscapes. On arrival, you will be driven cross-country to your private villa where you can enjoy total seclusion. The Homestead and Scrubby Bay are perfect for families and groups, sleeping up to 12 and 14 guests respectively. The Homestead, built in the 1800s, features an outdoor swimming pool and floodlit tennis court and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, where guests are free to pick flowers from the borders and lemons from the tree. Scrubby Bay is a cedar-clad beach house that looks out over its own private bay. Cosy up in front of the open fire, take a dip in the outdoor pool or simply relax on the decking and gaze out across the water. The most romantic of them all, Seascape features a glass facade so you can make the very best of the incredible ocean views, and the outdoor lounge area with fireplace means you can appreciate your surroundings all year round. The Shepherd’s Cottage is perched on a hill overlooking the sea and the Kaikoura Ranges, a real rural retreat with an open fireplace, wooden ceilings and sheepskin rugs. The farm is home to 500-strong herd of cattle and around 14,000 sheep and various vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown on their land. There is the option to hire a private chef or you can enjoy the ‘We Create, You Serve’ programme where breakfast, a picnic lunch and three-course dinner are prepared and left in your fridge for you to simply pop in the oven and enjoy. Although Annandale’s villas are a chance to escape, there are also a host of activities so you can make the most of the incredible surroundings. Hike through the rolling hills, take to the water in a kayak or explore the rugged terrain on a 4WD adventure – the list is endless.

This luxury lodge on the shores of Lake Pukaki prides itself on being off-grid and spectacularly situated. The six bedrooms are beautifully appointed and comfortable. Floor to veiling windows offer uninterrupted views of Lake Pukaki and the Southern Alps. Meals are inpired by fresh local produce and menus change daily depending on what is available. And the chef will even prepare your fresh catch for you if you have a successful day out on the water. You’ll also find some of the best local wineries and craft breweries represented on the drinks menu. Head out into the mountains in a helicopter, enjoy a relaxing massage, go cycling through the countryside, or star gaze from your own private bathtub.

Situated in beautiful mountain surroundings amongst groves of manuka trees, with panoramic views towards the South Pacific, Manakau Lodge is a luxury rural retreat. This peaceful haven is ideal for relaxation, but is just a ten-minute drive from the shops and restaurants of Kaikoura, and many leisure activities. The lodge is also just a stone’s throw away from some great wilderness walks, and just minutes from beaches and coastal scenic reserves. It is the perfect base from which to explore Kaikoura and the magnificent surrounding areas. Comfort is the main priority, and all four rooms are spacious and elegantly appointed, featuring New Zeland timber and locally furnishings. Breakfasts are a leisurely affair, and cheese and supper platters can be specially arranged in advance for those not wanting to dine in Kaikoura.