Although we are still in a national lockdown, we can still dream about how we’ll use our time once restrictions lift – and this Conservation Week (4-12 September) is the perfect excuse for Kiwis to plan their next holiday, immersed in nature, on a much needed post-lockdown, off-the-grid getaways.
We’ve pulled together some ideas of places to stay and things to do, to get them started.
Owhaoko
Owhaoko ancestral land is over 16,000 private acres of pristine native bush, accessible only by helicopter. This virtually untouched forest will allow you to experience complete immersion in nature and the luxury of total solitude – there are no roads, no people, no cell coverage, no stress, just wild perfection. Choose to relax on the extensive decks, soak in the outdoor bath, stargaze from bed, or explore the surrounding native landscape with sparking rivers, cool forests, swaying valleys of tussock and soaring mountaintops. Go with the Hosted option, and you can leave your daily worries behind as your private host prepares meals, keeps the cabin tidy and assists with your enjoyment of the land and cabin.
Rainforest Retreat
Located in Franz Josef Village, Rainforest Retreat can be accessed via either Christchurch or Queenstown airport, giving you access to non-stop thrill – from lagoon kayaking, to guided glacier walks and White Heron tours, to skydiving and rafting, the retreat is well positioned to enable you get out and about in nature. Committed to environmental stewardship and proud to promote the Tiaki Promise, its beautiful and contemporary tree houses and lodges are housed amongst lush native bush, with options for romance and relaxation or family holiday fun.
Nightsky Cottage
Nestled at the edge of Tongariro National Park in Horopito, this 5-star luxury experience immerses guests in zero-waste living amidst a stunning nature sanctuary without compromising on luxury and guest experience. There is no single-use plastic and most items for use are locally sourced – even the soaps and bath bombs are handmade. Star gaze from the lounge with architecturally designed sky lights or listen for the native kiwi and deer pass by at night.
Hapuku Lodge & Treehouse (pictured above)
Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses is a contemporary country hotel, near the renowned eco-marine town of Kaikoura. It sits snugly at the base of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range, with the coast and famed Mangamaunu Bay only a short distance away. The Lodge provides luxurious accommodation on the rugged coastline, with unique Tree Houses that sit above the ground in the canopy of a native Kanuka grove, designed to complement the natural environment as your bedroom in the sky. Enjoy the impressive views of Kaikoura's dramatic mountains and the Pacific Ocean from the comfort of your room, and venture outdoors to explore the maritime landscape of Kaikoura – from dolphin and albatross encounters, to fishing, surfing and whale watching.
Treetops Lodge & Estate
Unwind in lavish comfort nestled amidst the natural beauty of the estate in Rotorua, where you can unwind with a private wilderness hot tub, master archery and clay shooting, or enjoy a treatment in the Wilderness Spa. Use your unplugged time to visit the Glow Worm Falls, experience a 4WD Safari, go horseback riding or forage for native ingredients and share in a unique cooking and dining experience.
Maruia River Retreat
Situated along the magnificent Maruia River and protected by mountains from the east and west, the Maruia River Retreat is a stunning boutique lodge where guests can relax, reconnect, explore and celebrate. With only seven luxury villas within a 500-acre nature estate, guests are welcomed with a sense of being far away from the clutter of everyday life, and invited to find shelter at the core of what is truly beautiful and peaceful. Home to an Outdoor Stoked forest tub, you’ll be able to bathe while taking in the amazing views of the river as you sit below the canopy of the beech forest trees, soaking it all in.
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Published 3 September 2021