Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet, 5* super

Strikingly designed in timber and glass, Whare Kea Lodge appears to float on the edge of Lake Wanaka against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps.  The inviting villa, with its light-filled interior and spectacular vistas, is the perfect luxury holiday accommodation for families or groups wishing to soak up the splendour of the area in a private location.

Whare Kea’s superbly comfortable, spacious living and dining area with open fire and bar, its two master suites and four deluxe suites, each with a veranda and en-suite bathroom, offer an ideal combination of shared and also private spaces well suited to accommodate small groups of up to 12 guests. The interior is warm and welcoming, decorated with a mix of antique and contemporary furniture, with artworks and sculpture by local New Zealand artists. There is also a Billiards and Games room, guest office, massage room, sundecks overlooking a vast lawn where helicopters can land, and an outdoor hot tub hidden nearby among the spinnaker grass.

Whare Kea is a wonderful base for a wealth of leisure diversions, including skiing at the resorts of Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone, heli-skiing in the Southern Alps, cycling, horse riding, flightseeing in a vintage aircraft over the lake and visiting the famous wineries of Central Otago. The picturesque resort town of Wanaka with a wide choice of galleries, restaurants and shopping is only a 10-minute drive away.

Whare Kea guests may also visit the eco-chic Whare Kea Chalet, set at 1,750 metres on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park. This may be enjoyed on private helicopter tours as a day trip, heli-skiing in the winter months and overnight adventures in the summer months.   Whare Kea Chalet is operated by Alex and James Ford and their experienced team at Aspiring Helicopters.

Whare Kea – pronounced “Faree Kea” – translates to house of the kea in Maori.  The Kea is the world’s only alpine parrot which lives all year round above the snow line in the surrounding mountains.  Whare Kea is proud to support the Kea Conservation Trust which assists with the conservation of the wild Kea in their natural habitat.


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