New Zealand’s South Island is a land of superlatives, awash in natural beauty and breathtaking scenery.  The Aoraki Mount Cook region, midway between Queenstown and Christchurch, is doubly blessed – by day, there are spectacular mountains, imposing glaciers and impossibly aquamarine lakes, and by night, the world’s largest dark sky reserve delivers spellbinding views of the Milky Way and southern hemisphere stars. 

With such wonders to behold, why would you not want to avail yourself of these vistas at every opportunity?  Enter Skyscape, one of New Zealand’s most stunning boutique stays, a perfectly-proportioned petite villa nestled in the hills near Twizel, built predominantly of glass for astonishing views by day and by night. 

Milford Sound is, without doubt, one of the crowning glories of New Zealand.  With thousands of visitors each year, the vast majority come and go on daytrips from Queenstown or Te Anau, with only a small proportion lingering for an overnight stay or longer.  With just a single independent accommodation option in Milford Sound, we had reasonably low expectations for our stay at Milford Sound Lodge.  But we were very pleasantly surprised by how very pleasant this little lodge is and would highly recommend a stay for anyone who is sensible enough to spend longer in Milford Sound.

New Zealand’s Lake Wanaka is beautiful from so many angles – from the streets of picturesque resort town Wanaka, from the surrounding hiking trails, from the boats and kayaks that ply its waters and from the beach near the famous #thatwanakatree.  But surely one of the most jaw-dropping vistas of Lake Wanaka is from the sublime Mahu Whenua, a luxurious and exclusive high country homestead nestled in the surrounding mountains, where welcoming service and exceptional meals accompany the magnificent surrounds. 

River Birches Lodge, a member of Luxury Lodges of New Zealand, is located at the end of a quiet street in Turangi, on the southern edge of Lake Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand.  Secluded and idyllic, it is ideally situated for exploring nearby Tongariro National Park and the Tongariro River.