Welcome to The Southern Lakes
About the Region
Whether you’re seeking action and adventure or just pure relaxation, the Southern Lakes region offers a vast array of alpine activities set in one of the most beautiful destinations in New Zealand.
Blanket Bay & Wyuna Station
Blanket Bay Lodge sits on the original Wyuna sheep station (ranch) historically a part of the original Rees station that occupied the entire eastern side of Lake Wakatipu and beyond.
Situated at the base of the Richardson Mountains, the station enjoys magnificent west facing views across Blanket Bay and over Lake Wakatipu to the Humboldt range. There are expansive lake views to the north with breathtaking vistas that take in the Dart and Rees valleys, Mt. Alfred and Mt. Earnslaw.
Glenorchy & Lake Whakatipu
Blanket Bay is situated just outside Glenorchy, one of New Zealand’s last frontier towns at the northern head of the country’s longest Lake, Whakatipu. With its quaint streets and small collection of cafes, shops and a General Store, it offers a distinctly local New Zealand country flavour.
While the town is the main staging post for the famous Routeburn Track, a total of four of New Zealand’s great walks are accessible from here. The Dart River is famous for its jet boat trips into the remote and spectacular Mount Aspiring National Park.
Bordered on two sides by National Parks, Glenorchy is set against a backdrop of rugged high country, beautiful mountains, glacier fed rivers and ancient beech forests.
Queenstown
At the heart of the Southern Lakes region is the lively resort town of Queenstown. With a great selection of bars, restaurants and shops the town’s reputation as the Adventure Capital of the World is well earned. Here you can choose to join in or become a spectator of the many activities on offer. There is something to test and thrill every adventure seeker.
For those not looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, this region also offers relaxation at its best. Join the Queenstown Wine Trail and discover award-winning wines from the world’s most southern vineyards – a lunch at Amisfield Winery or Gibbston Valley Winery is not to be missed. Browse streets of boutiques, dine out or catch the old-world steamer TSS Earnslaw across the Lake.