South Island Self Drive

Overview

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.

Overview

Get a taste of six-star luxury at Edenhouse, nestled in the serene Orinoco Valley in the heart of rural Nelson. This enchanting country retreat, set in 50 acres of private grounds and eight acres of internationally acclaimed gardens, offers guests a unique and memorable experience.

There is one large luxurious suite in the main lodge, as well as two beautifully appointed and private cottages – the Folly Cottage with one bedroom and the Garden Cottage with two bedrooms. All rooms feature pure Irish linen sheets and deluxe toiletries. Edenhouse is furnished to a high standard, with the emphasis on comfort, understated luxury and attention to detail.

As well as enjoying the sitting room, dining room, artists’ studio and library, guests can explore the expansive landscaped gardens and several courtyard areas. The picturesque valley has an abundance of native bird life. During summer the gardens offer a cool oasis, while open fires throughout the lodge ensure the winter months are toasty.

Dinners at the lodge are prepared using fresh organic ingredients, and there are fine wines from local boutique wineries included on the menu.

Mindful of the importance of complete relaxation, a highly-qualified team of therapists is on hand to provide a variety of therapeutic treatments to guests in the peace and privacy of their suites.

Located at the top of South Island, bordered by rugged wilderness and golden beaches, the lodge is near to many popular tourist attractions, including The Abel Tasman National Park.

Overview

On the doorstep of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the exclusive Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is set in a forest wilderness by the azure waters of Lake Pukaki, with spectacular, uninterrupted views towards the Southern Alps and Aoraki Mt Cook itself, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

There is a range of accommodation options, from the private two-bedroom Ashley Mackenzie Villa and the Moraine Villas that overlook the magnificent Ben Ohau ranges, to the two-bedroom Pukaki Homestead, located just 350 metres from the villa.

Breakfast provisions and a three-course evening meal are included. Visit the garden and choose your favourite vegetables for dinner. The garden is bursting with berries, herbs and vegetables – for everything else, pureness and authenticity are paramount when it comes to suppliers.

The retreat is located in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. In the company of your hosts, enjoy a superb stargazing experience. Guests also have access to a tennis court, pétanque, croquet, and curling rink (winter).

Overview

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.

Overview

Located near the shores of Lake Tekapo and just a short walk from the Church of the Good Shepherd, are Alpine Suites on Tekapo.

With just two suites, guests will feel right at home here. Bright and airy, rooms feature private outdoor decks from where you will enjoy views of Lake Tekapo and the Two Thumb Mountain Range. Owner Kevin Bowie is a fine art landscape photographer and beautiful images of New Zealand’s stunning scenery are displayed on the walls.

Breakfast is served in the dining room which enjoys views of the lake and the Southern Alps and guests will also enjoy complimentary New Zealand wines and craft beers along with local smoked salmon, cheeses and chutneys.

You’re ideally located to explore Lake Tekapo as well as Lake Pukaki which is less than a hour away.

Overview

Sat on the shores of the deep Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge is a tranquil haven of serene blue waters and sweeping mountain landscapes. Snow-capped peaks reach towards the sky, providing a backdrop like no other to this incredible luxury establishment.

Modern, bright and with plenty of room, the 16 suites have been styled by the highly celebrated designer Virginia Fisher. Four suites are found in the main lodge section while others have been built in a native forest with alpine panoramas. All have their own private balcony, lounge area and decadent bathroom, not to mention the cosy fireplace. The sizeable Owner’s Cottage is an idyllic getaway for larger groups or families.

Boasting a menu that changes constantly with the availability of seasonal produce, the kitchen at Matakauri Lodge focuses on a clean and fresh experience for the palate. There are a number of settings in which to savour this modern New Zealand cuisine, from the privacy of your own patio to the property’s spacious courtyards.

Located near great pine thickets, the spa provides an exclusive space where you can rejuvenate and reinvigorate your body with completely personalised treatments. Fall in love with the heated pool, let off some steam in the sauna or enjoy a leisurely time in the hot tub.

Whether you arrive to the long, warm days of summer or to a winter wonderland of snow, there is always so much to do during your stay at Matakauri. Walks and hikes dominate the area, as do scenic horse riding trails and wine tours. Avid golfers will rejoice to know a PGA-rated course is nearby; The Hills is surely one of the most stunning and gorgeously isolated round of 18 you can play anywhere in the world.

Overview

A relic of stately Victorian elegance, Hulbert House is a luxury villa that operates as one of Queenstown’s oldest residences. Built in 1888, this boutique hotel offers historic charm with contemporary comforts and modern amenities.

Transformed by an award-winning designer, the interiors are vibrant while paying tribute to the antiquity of the property. The six luxury suites are all individually designed, carrying through a feeling of old-world opulence with extravagant, bold and fresh furnishing. Each has views over either Lake Wakatipu, Skyline Hill or the well-kept gardens.

A scrumptious breakfast of fresh and delicious ingredients waits those early morning risers, while the kitchen can provide tasty snacks throughout the day. Ideally placed, Hulbert House is found in close proximity to many of the attractions of Queenstown, with popular cafes, restaurants and shops all within walking distance. It is also only 450m from the banks of the large Lake Wakatipu and just a little further from the Skyline Gondola and Luge.

Overview

Often adorned with flowers beneath a clear blue New Zealand sky, the rustic yet elegant stone lodge of Blanket Bay sits perched upon the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The establishment inhabits a typical South Island alpine setting of vast valleys and great mountains.

Luxury is woven throughout all 12 residences, from the separate chalet cottages to the spacious lodge rooms and suites, with all enjoying incredible views and plenty of natural light. There is a charming antiquity to the spaces, with beautiful timber beams reaching up along the ceiling and refined wooden furnishing adding to the already classic atmosphere.

When it comes to wining and dining, the service is world-class. The menu is forever changing, making the utmost of the kitchen’s access to locally-sourced ingredients and produce. Expect modern, innovative takes on classical dishes incorporating fresh fish, lamb and venison and an array of fruits and vegetables grown in the region.

There are few other places on earth with so many activities and adventures at their fingertips, including numerous hiking trails meandering up mountain ranges, fly fishing hotspots in the pools, rivers and smaller mountain lakes, heli-skiing in winter, jet boating and kayaking. Tackle 4WD tours and vineyard and art trails. Horse riding enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice by the treks on offer, while golfers of any calibre will revel in the splendour and beauty of championship-standard Jack’s Point Golf Course.

Overview

With a history intertwined with the region’s gold rush, the building of Eichardt’s Private Hotel carries with it the understated and classic elegance of a bygone era. With sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu’s emerald blue waters and eminent mountain peaks, it is a gateway to Queenstown and the untouched wilderness beyond.

Choose from Eichardt’s lake view or mountain view suites, or the one- or two-bedroom apartments. For more privacy, or for those looking for a group getaway or family foray, there is the stand-alone three-bed Eichardt’s Residence which has a spacious kitchen, private dining area and sweeping balconies.

The hotel bar has been considered a town favourite since 1867, providing the perfect environment in which friends and colleagues can sit down for a refreshing cocktail or a refined vintage from the famed Otago wine region. For those feeling peckish, there are comprehensive tapas menus to suit every palate, with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The bar also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a cosy dining area with a fireplace.

From the hotel you can treat yourself to an extensive range of in-room spa treatments provided by a local spa, wander down to the lake edge or head into the heart of the action in bustling Queenstown.

Overview

Nestled in the heart of Queenstown, The Spire Hotel offers award-winning luxury combining genuine hospitality, serenity and style.

Ten spacious suites boast fine contemporary furnishings and design elements, large balconies and roomy bathrooms.

Enjoy outstanding local produce prepared with a Mediterranean twist at the in-house bar and restaurant No5 Church Lane. Choose from a variety of Otago and international wines, and signature cocktails. Featuring work by local artists and contemporary furnishings, the restaurant offers a chic yet casual place to relax.

The five-star hotel is located within walking distance of the city’s vibrant cultural scene. There are plenty of shops and cafes to explore, as well as an active nightlife and a variety of lake and mountain activities to make your stay a memorable one.

Overview

Azur Lodge consists of nine private villas set on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding mountain ranges and Lake Wakatipu.

The open-plan villas feature a lounge, dining room and a bath tub which has been set into a bay window so you can enjoy the scenic views as you soak. There is also a private sun deck from which to gaze out across the wilderness.

Breakfast, afternoon tea and evening canapes are included, and there is the option to dine in the main lodge or in the privacy of your villa.

You are conveniently located just 20 minutes from the airport and five minutes from downtown Queenstown, so exploring this wonderful part of New Zealand couldn’t be easier.