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Luxury in Wānaka is unlike anywhere else in the world. Instead of marble foyers or loud displays, it’s uninterrupted Southern Alps views all to yourself, followed by a locally-sourced long lunch with award-winning New Zealand wine pairings. It’s spending the day with a private mountain guide, or heli-skiing untouched powder before watching the sunset from the sauna.
Here our luxury comes with connection to the special place it’s enjoyed in,for a trip to New Zealand you’ll never forget. Read on for your guide to the most beautifully immersive Wānaka experiences.
From lodges to retreats, the best luxury accommodation options in Wānaka are the ones that connect you to the place, rather than insulate you from it.
Become one with nature at Minaret Station. Accessible only by helicopter, this premium lodge sits deep in the Southern Alps at 3,000 feet, surrounded by rugged alpine beauty. Stay alone or in a group with four chalets connected by the famous Mountain Kitchen, a gourmet destination in itself.
Equally impressive in scale and beauty, Mahu Whenua combines conservation and luxury in a high-country station spanning over 55,000 hectares. As the largest conservation undertaking on private land in Aotearoa’s history, the name aptly translates to “healing the land.” Explore it via horseback or guided adventure, or simply enjoy the views over its exquisite food and drink.
Closer to the lake is Whare Kea – a private luxury retreat that is deeply connected to the beautiful terrain surrounding it. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Alps and lake, while (optional) chef-prepared meals and easy distance to the region’s offerings make it a natural base for your Wānaka stay.
For direct access to some of our area’s best skiing, biking and hiking, the beautiful Mt Cardrona Station offers a sleek gateway to the Cardrona Valley. It’s a distinctly Otago experience, immersed in the landscape the region is known for and nearby to the historic Cardrona township. At the other end of Wānaka perched above the glacial lake, from the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, is Lake Hāwea Station. With views in every direction, private dining experiences, and stargazing, it’s a memorable retreat for any visitor seeking serenity.
Release NZ offers architecturally-designed holiday homes ranging from lakefront retreats to secluded alpine residences, while properties like Marina Terrace and Cardrona Terraces are ideal for longer stays, especially for families or groups travelling together.
For more distinct luxury stays, Lime Tree Lodge has a 5-hole golf course for golf-buffs to practice on and Silverpine Lodge offers an experience tailored to those who love fly fishing and trophy hunting activities.
Wānaka’s dining scene leans into the seasonal produce and local wine that our region does so well.
At Bistro Gentil – conveniently located with Maude’s Tasting Room – you’ll find French cuisine paired with one of the best views of any restaurant in Wānaka. Enjoy dégustation menus and à la carte using ingredients plucked from their own garden, while overlooking the lake and mountains.
In the heart of town you’ll find Arc. Their reputation for innovative, contemporary dining using seasonal produce has cemented them as a favourite amongst both local and visiting foodies.
For a fine-dining menu made to be shared, you can’t go past the ‘trust the chef’ menu at Kika. The menu changes with the seasons, drawing on local growers and producers to create new flavours ready to delight your tastebuds.
Just around the corner, tucked down an alley, you’ll find Muttonbird – a slightly more casual offering, with morsels that will surprise and delight. The menu is creative and accessible, changing daily to showcase New Zealand’s bounty.
If you’re not staying at the lodge but want the luxury alpine experience, the previously mentioned Mountain Kitchen at Minaret Station is an exclusive fine dining option. A long lunch tastes even better after arriving by helicopter, especially when prepared by resident chefs and paired with award-winning regional wines.
Another dining experience that builds on its location is Lake Hāwea Station. Connect to the whenua by enjoying Private Chef Dane Archer’s dishes sourced from station foraging. His food is world-class and leads with purpose.
Or, if you’re seeking an option that brings together drinks with as much consideration as the food, Cardrona Distillery offers a distinctly local take on both single malt spirits and the menu of their award-winning restaurant.
Our region specialises in the kinds of experiences that stick with you long after you’ve gone home. From accessing untouched terrain, to quiet afternoons in the local boutique, you’re spoilt for choice.
For a bucket list experience, Heli-skiing with Harris Mountains, or heli-biking and private charters with Southern Lakes Helicopters is a chance to enjoy fresh powder and remote ridgelines that are all your own and chosen to suit your skill level. Or, for non-skiers, scenic flights to Mt Aspiring and Milford Sounds with Aspiring Helicopters and Southern Alps Air offer a completely different view of our landscape, with glaciers, rivers and mountain ranges that leave you feeling beautifully insignificant.
There are also plenty of options for private guide tours in Wānaka – whether you want to go exploring on skis, by foot with a hike, through canyoning, hunting, horse-back, fishing, or even snowshoe adventures. Having someone who knows the landscape intimately changes not just what you see and do, but what you can learn about the land you’re on. It’s the kind of journey that most visitors won’t get the chance to undertake.
Wine experiences in Wānaka have the same kind of philosophy – locally-led and deeply tied to the land. At Rippon Vineyard you’ll taste biodynamic wines in the same setting as they’re grown, whilst overlooking the picture-perfect lake and Southern Alps. While up the road at Maude Tasting Room you’ll be entertained with stories of the grandchildren behind each year of grapes, as you sample some of the region’s best.
