Take a walk, a ‘Great Walk’. This premier track straddles both Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks passing through some of New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring alpine landscapes. Blanket Bay is situated at the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park and offers a range of trekking and hiking options to suit all levels.
Although commonly traversed over three days, many of this tracks vast highlights can be achieved in a day from Blanket Bay.
The track is one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks and is maintained by the Department of Conservation.
Considered an easy section on the Routeburn, this section is perfect for those who may not be the most experienced hikers but still want to enjoy some of the Routeburn Track’s stunning landscapes. A relatively easy fifteen km return trip, this section is rather flat, sheltered from the weather and will take between three to five hours. Highlights along this section include the turquoise water of the Routeburn River, Bridal Veil Falls, views of the Southern Alps and thick, untouched forest.
Continuing on, the trail does become more difficult after the Routeburn Flats Hut. From the hut, you quickly gain a further three hundred meters as you make your way up to Routeburn Falls. Gaining elevation the views of the area become all the more breath-taking. Looking down back towards the valley floor is stunning. Highlights of this twenty km five to six hour return trip, include crossing several small suspension bridges, Eagle Bluff, and of course Routeburn Falls.
We can also arrange for one of our charming and knowledgeable local guides to accompany you for the day. They will meet you at the Lodge and take you to some beautiful remote places like The Paradise or Routeburn valleys. Learning about the natural features and wild life as well as the history of these stunning landscapes is a great way to get to know the area. For those guests who wish to walk without a guide we recommend hiring a car to allow easy access to the many walking tracks within a half hour’s drive of the Lodge.
The ultimate way to see Milford Sound and Fiordland is by helicopter. Located just a few kilometres from the Lodge lies the extraordinary World Heritage Area of Fiordland National Park, our private heli-pad is perfectly located to access this remarkable area.
Journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, where myth, heritage and fantasy come to life.
The Wine, Food & Arts Trail takes you to the homes and galleries of some of New Zealand's pre-eminent artists coupled with sampling Otago's finest wines and tastes along the way.
Experience a horseback adventure on our high country station. Whether a first time rider or born to the saddle, you will enjoy a stunning few hours within a horse riding landscape second to none in New Zealand.
Mountains of untracked powder await. Blanket Bay offers an ‘À La Carte Heli-skiing’ menu to suit a wide range of skiing and snowboarding abilities. Each heliski option has been carefully designed to offer a great degree of flexibility, allowing everyone to experience the tranquility, freedom and exhilaration of heliskiing.
Take a helicopter from the lawns of Blanket Bay to the most remote rivers of New Zealand’s South Island and experience some of the world’s best fly-fishing.
The area offers a year-round golfing destination and is home to some of the most spectacular golf courses in the country. 5 Golf courses within 1 hours drive from Blanket Bay will appeal to every level of golfer.
From the iconic bungy jump to whitewater rafting, jet boating remote rivers or mountain biking forest trails, zip-lining near snowy mountains, swinging across canyons and surfing down rivers, these are just a few of the ways you can get outside of your comfort zone in the Southern Lakes.