Luxury South Island
Tours made for you

Sitting snug in the idyllic surrounds of the Ahuriri Valley on the working Ben Avon Station, and covering 600 acres of rugged landscape, is the unique and iconic Lindis.

High above Tasman Bay, Split Apple Retreat offers both every indulgence as well as the promise of a focus on good health. This quiet Abel Tasman National Park luxury retreat and wellness hideaway is the ideal place to relax and pamper yourself in pristine surrounds. Two of the ocean-facing rooms, Fuji and Lotus, boast the best in Japanese-style luxury with private decks and gardens and Japanese granite baths. The third, Rainbow, a two-level room with a separate lounge, features colour-changing LED lights in the bath and shower. Split Apple retreat specialises in serving gourmet food with a focus on good health and mouth-watering presentation. The result of a collaboration between a doctor specialising in nutrition and a culinary artist, the retreat has become known for its dedication to fine food that promotes longevity. To ensure guests can continue eating mindfully at home, the chef guides budding culinary artists through a number of her popular dishes. Continuing the focus on wellness, there are a wide range of services to help guests unwind, relax and rejuvenate. Choose from a selection of massage treatments, learn how to meditate, or sign up for a private yoga session. The gym, infrared sauna, steam room and infinity pool leave guests feeling thoroughly refreshed. For adventuring beyond the lodge, private boats and water taxis land at Split Apple Beach to collect guests keen on visiting the Abel Tasman National Park.

The work of a family of architects and builders, Hapuku Lodge is an extraordinary ecolodge perfectly placed between the white peaks of the Kaikoura Mountain Range and waves of Mangamaunu Bay. With an environmentally-friendly focus, this lodge was carefully constructed from salvaged timber and seeks to be sustainable in every area. There are four ultra-spacious rooms in the main lodge with wonderful mountain views, Japanese soaking tubs with room for two and immense custom beds – said to be the best on the island. The two suites also have their own fireplaces and a living area. However, the real stars of the show are the luxurious treehouses, standing 10m (30 feet) above the ground in the canopy of a native Manuka grove, each with a wood-burning fireplace, spa bath, open rain showers and large glass windows with a birds-eye view to the coast. There are two storey options for families, and the standalone Olive House Suite has room for two adults and up to three children. Dining at Hapuku means an organic and locally-sourced menu, with produce collected from the hotel’s own herb and vegetable gardens, free-range chicken populations and meat from nearby hunters and fishermen. Constantly changing and evolving offerings may include venison, wild blackberries, a variety of cheese, crayfish and even homemade plum ice cream. A comprehensive wine list makes sure to incorporate vintages from all over New Zealand, the ideal accompaniment to a wonderful meal. There are adventures to be had in every corner of Kaikoura’s coast, dubbed the ‘Maritime Serengeti’ by the local National Geographic. Head out on the waves in a sea kayak, swim with dolphins and seals or go whale watching to spot the gentle grey giants in the ocean blue. Mountain bikes can be borrowed from the lodge to traverse the surrounding trails while there are also Maori cultural tours, horse riding and the acclaimed surfing of Mangamaunu Bay a short walk away.

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.

Close to central Wanaka and a 90 minute drive (or 10 minutes by helicopter) from Queenstown, Mahu Whenua is an enormous private estate spanning some 55,000 hectares. The property consists of four adjoining high-country sheep stations, stretching from Glendhu Bay all the way through to Arrowtown, encompassing some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in New Zealand. The land is gradually being restored to its wilder former self – the name Mahu Whenua aptly translates to ‘healing the land’ – giving the feeling of being within your own private national park. Indeed with just four suites, you almost are. From the Homestead, relax, absorb the breathtaking views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains while being looked after by the attentive team. Inside, find two of the suites and a rustic design combining locally sourced materials and modern features with plenty of spaces to unwind including a sprawling farmhouse kitchen, large open living room, dining room and library. Outside find the two cottage suites nestled privately amongst native beech forest, swimming pool, spots for some alfresco dining as well as the impressive stables. Stays here include breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon teas, pre-dinner canapés, refreshments and picnics. A creative and innovative chef will tailor the menu to your specific requirements and source the freshest local produce, some having been produced at Mahu Whenua itself. Experiences here include including hiking, horse riding, biking, helicopter adventures (including heli-skiing, Milford Sound is also within range), spa treatments, yoga, nature tours and off-road excursions. The chef can also lead cooking classes and gourmet safaris.

Accessible only by helicopter, the isolation of Minaret Station is what gives it its unique draw and inescapable rustic beauty.