The lodge itself is an attraction in its own right.

It is luxurious, homey, charming, welcoming and paired with the most heart-warming hospitality. It is designed in the style of a high country homestead. Throughout the lodge there are so many spaces to hideaway and unwind. Relax with a book, or if you are travelling as part of a group, socialize with friends in the great room enjoying fabulous wine and food, fun and uninterrupted alpine and lake views. Enjoy dressing up for dinner to celebrate a special occasion or just stay as you are after a day lying by the pool, or enjoying some of our favourite lodge activities including e-biking, horse riding, yoga, skiing and hiking.

The team of staff at the lodge make every part of your stay a truly exceptional indulgence.

And when you get there Wanaka township is only twenty minutes away which means that guests also get to enjoy everything this quaint lakeside town has to offer. There are an unlimited number of activities to enjoy in this picturesque part of the world from strolls around the lake to golf and jetboating to sampling multi award winning wines and world class cuisine from local cellar doors. And what cannot be done in town, Mahu Whenua more than caters for with their own range of activities which include hiking, biking, horse riding, riverside picnics, helicopter excursions or relaxing with a good book by the pool. There is literally something for everyone.

Although easily accessible Mahu Whenua still manages to exude total privacy and seclusion. It’s as if it’s your own personal national park with a sprawling 136 000 acres (55 thousand hectares) of sustainable land made up of lush green valleys , forests and towering mountains covered with acres of native forest which is constantly being regenerated. Honestly this eco sanctuary boasts some of the most dramatic natural alpine scenery you’ll ever see.

Horse riding allows you to explore the miles of custom-made trails through dappled woodland and meandering rivers. Or for the more curious, their informative four-wheel drive excursion takes you into the heartland of the property, where you will soak up the history of this iconic place, learning stories of the early settlers and prospectors and take a first-hand glimpse at the largest private conservation undertaking in New Zealand’s history.

Though the Lodge doesn’t allow hunting on the property after all Mahu Whenua literally means Healing the Land, their team are more than happy to set up hunting trips for you on neighbouring stations.Then when you have finished a day’s exploration, this stunning lodge offers some exquisite five star cuisine pairing some of the regions finest produce and wines prepared by Mahu Whenua’s own private chef. Relax with an aperitif beside one of the crackling open fires and watch the sun go down and the clear night sky explode with a thousand stars before you retire to one of Mahu Whenua’s sensuous suites.

And when your stay comes to an end you will be pining to return as soon as possible. Because Mahu Whenua truly nourishes the soul, because it’s out of this world. It’s simply magical.

Please know there will be additional costs for some of the activities listed below.

Helicopter Adventures

With such an expansive area to yourself, helicopter is the absolute best way to get to know the Mahu Whenua landscape and the nearby regions of Fiordland National Park, Mt Aspiring National Park and Milford Sound.

Ridgeline Peak Picnic

From the on-site helipad, you’ll take a short helicopter ride to a mountain top nearby. The helicopter will land and shut off while you enjoy a glass of Central Otago wine and soak in the stunning alpine surroundings. Last flight time is 5.30pm pick up from the Homestead.

Luxury Winery Lunch Flight

Your helicopter taxi will pick you up directly from the on-site helipad at Mahu Whenua to begin this exceptional wine lovers experience. Enjoy a scenic flight to a privately owned vineyard to enjoy 6-8 tastings before moving on to Bannockburn to enjoy a platter lunch at Mt Difficulty. Following lunch, the heli will drop into the beautiful Cardrona Distillery for a final tasting before your return by scenic flight back to the Homestead.

Mt Aspiring National Park and Glaciers Scenic Flight – local exploration
Be whisked away for a scenic flight up the Matukituki Valley to Dragonfly Peak where you’ll enjoy an alpine landing. After you’ve had time to take some photos, you’ll lift off again and fly around Mt Aspiring (one of New Zealand’s highest mountains) where you can soak in closeup views of impressive glaciers, magnificent ice formations and crevasses.

From here in the middle of the Southern Alps you can view the rainforests and ocean of the wild West Coast in the distance. Another two landings will find you high on the Isobel Glacier and then back in the Mahu Whenua alpine where you can relax with champagne and canapés before returning to the Homestead.

Milford Overhead Flight & Glacier Landing – further afield

Fly through the grand Southern Alps, over rainforests, frozen lakes and south to the majestic Milford Sound. Then touchdown on an age old glacier – the perfect place to capture those once-in-a-lifetime photos. Milford is a mystical world where you’ll feel far far away, yet it’s easily accessible from Mahu Whenua by helicopter.

Milford Southern Alps Highlights – the ultimate heli-adventure!

Explore the best of Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks on this day trip. Visit three alpine lakes, Sutherland Falls, Milford Sound and West Coast beaches. Fly through the Olivine Ice Plateau, land on a glacier, fly around Mt Aspiring, and land on Dragonfly Peak before returning to the Homestead.

There are five landings along the way, so plenty of time to stretch your legs and grab some photos. You’ll also enjoy a picnic lunch on location.

Horse Riding

With the impressive stables just a short walk from the Homestead, it is hard not to get involved with the beautiful horses. If you have little experience with horses, you may wish to just pat them at the stables or be led around the grounds. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of trails designed for horse trekking taking you through river crossings, native beech forest, over rolling hills and up valleys.

Station Orientation Farm Tour

Mahu Whenua stretches all the way from Wanaka to Arrowtown, so there is a lot of land to explore! Whether you’d like to take an introductory immersive 4WD tour or to delve deeper into Mahu Whenua country, there are options for everyone – spend a half-day exploring the old roads, shepherds’ huts and the working farm, or a full-day excursion where you can travel deep into the heart of the valley, with multiple stops along the way.

Hiking / Heli-Hiking

There are endless trails for hiking around Mahu Whenua. Wander down to the stables for a short walk, down to the gorge to go swimming, or to the river to pan for gold. For a bigger adventure, get picked up by helicopter on the front lawn of the lodge and spend a half or full day exploring one of the many beautiful corners of the property. Your chef can provide a picnic to enjoy mountain top, or beside a meandering river on your journey.

Mountain Biking / Heli-Biking

Explore Wanaka by mountain bike or, for a more unique experience, have a helicopter pick you, your guide and your bikes up from the on-site helipad and drop you atop a mountain. Enjoy the fun trails as you descend while taking in the incredible scenery. Guided heli-biking can be tailored to your skill and confidence level.

Central Otago Wine Tour

This is the ultimate tour for wine aficionados encompassing the iconic Gibbston Valley, Bannockburn and Lowburn wine making regions.

Wellness

You may feel like a massage after exploring Mahu Whenua or a spa day with a group. The terrace in front of the Homestead is the perfect place for a morning vinyasa flow or pilates practice. There are several different treatments that we can arrange for you at your Mahu Whenua haven.

Winter Sports

Come winter you are snug in the middle of New Zealand’s Southern Alps with winter activities right at your doorstep. Treble Cone and Cardrona ski fields are within driving distance for skiing and snowboarding. Or you may wish to go guided backcountry ski touring or split boarding, cat skiing or heli-skiing. If going downhill at speed isn’t your thing, other options include cross country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling.

Rock Climbing (Via Ferrata)

The Via Ferrata rock climbing tours are located close to Mahu Whenua and are perfect for beginners and families.

Fly or Spin Fishing

We can design fly or spin fishing trips as you wish. There are some fantastic fishing spots nearby where you can fly or drive in with your guide. Enjoy a delicious packed lunch prepared by Mahu Whenua chef as you break on the river’s edge.

Art & Photography Workshop

Mahu Whenua is the epitome of dramatic New Zealand alpine scenery. Whether you think you have artistic flare or not, our guided photography tours and art classes are a great opportunity to relax amongst beautiful landscapes and learn something new – maybe even take away your own creation in memory of this special place.

Water Sports

With Mahu Whenua located in the Queenstown Lakes region of Central Otago, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of ‘on water’ options nearby. Options include guided kayaking and paddle boarding on Lake Wanaka and jet boating.