New Zealand’s Southern Lakes: A luxury playground worth slowing down for

If you have ever looked at a map of the South Island and wondered where the scenery turns from beautiful to completely unreal, the answer is the Southern Lakes.

Queenstown might be the draw card that brings you to the Southern Lakes, but let it also be the launchpad for discovering what the locals commonly refer to as paradise: the landscape and lifestyle beyond. 

Stretching across western Southland, Central Otago and up into the Mackenzie Basin, this region is New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine playground. Think vast wilderness, glacial lakes, and mountains that look like they were designed for postcards, but somehow feel even better in person. It is also a place where raw natural beauty meets genuinely world-class hospitality, which is why so many discerning travellers return again and again.

What makes the Southern Lakes so special?

The Southern Lakes region is built around some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes. It is home to three of the country’s largest lakes, including its deepest, and dramatic U-shaped valleys carved by ancient glaciers. UNESCO World Heritage protected wilderness sits right alongside refined, high-end experiences and some discretely placed and respectfully designed private villas and residences.

At its heart are three major lakes, each shaping a different kind of trip.

• Lake Te Anau – South Island’s largest and Southland’s deepest
  
• Lake Wakatipu – New Zealand’s longest and Otago’s deepest
  
• Lake Wānaka – the fourth largest in New Zealand

Each one offers its own flavour of the Southern Lakes, from wide-open lakefront calm to dramatic, mountain-ringed adventure bases. Around each, a community has formed and each typically finds a significant place on every traveller’s New Zealand South Island itinerary.

Wānaka or Queenstown?

One of the first decisions travellers face is where to base themselves. There is no wrong choice, but there is definitely a right choice for your style of trip.

Why people love to stay in Wānaka 

Wānaka has fought hard to maintain its lakeside alpine charm and as such you’ll find plenitful independent businesses offering premium dining, boutique shopping, and easy access to both adventure and wellness. It is family friendly – flat, walkable and with plentiful outdoor or indoor activities. It’s also wonderfully central for exploring multiple national parks and wine regions.

Wānaka suits travellers who want space, scenery and a slightly slower rhythm to their days. Think lake swims, mountain walks, wines in the afternoon, and evenings that feel unhurried.

Why people love to stay in Queenstown

Queenstown arguably has the greatest concentration of high-adrenalin experiences anywhere in New Zealand, if not the world. Add an international airport with direct connections to Australia and across the country, plus the best selection of luxury dining and nightlife in the region, and you have a destination that hums with energy.

Queenstown is perfect if you want the action close by, easy access to experiences, and a trip that leans a little more towards high-octane.

The rarest stays: heli-only and exclusive retreats

For some travellers, the Southern Lakes is about going off the beaten track entirely. Travel a short distance outside of Wānaka and Queenstown and the abundant, undulating landscape hides some of the country’s most exclusive accommodation. 

Heli-only-access stays offer ultimate privacy in unique, high-country locations, accessible only by helicopter. They are for people who want wilderness without compromise and experiences that feel true to their setting. Then there are exclusive stays where discretion is guaranteed. Gated properties with helipads, big landscapes, concierge support, and every detail designed for guests who value space and quiet luxury.

These are the stays that make you feel like you are in your own world, while still having the best of the region within reach.

Experiences that match the landscape

The Southern Lakes is not a place you come to sit still, unless that is exactly what you are craving. It offers both extremes, sometimes in the same day.

Adrenalin fixes

If adventure is high on your list, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Heli-skiing into pristine powder, backcountry hiking with expert guides, bungy jumping, skydiving, jet-boating, canyoning, via ferrata and more. Here, “big day out” is the baseline.

Food and wine

The Michelin Guide is finally coming to New Zealand and that first publication will be fascinating.

• Between Arrowtown and Queenstown, Amisfield Restaurant has already stamped its mark as one of the world’s best restaurants.
• Waiheke Island’s Man O’ War Winery has recently opened a sublime restaurant in the heart of Arrowtown.
• Wānaka has a beloved and ever evolving street food scene.
• Central Otago’s Sanga Pies has even managed to take the humble New Zealand pie to the next level of unctuousness.

Foodies are in for a treat from under the radar restaurants and chefs.

Dual downtime

Between guided fly fishing in remote waters and private wine tastings and vineyard tours, plus chef-led dining experiences that show off local produce at its best, you can combine active experiences with those more sedentary. 

When it is time to slow down, the Southern Lakes does that beautifully. Think secret lake-side saunas, scenic flights over the region’s peaks and lakes, and private lake cruises that feel calm and indulgent in equal measure.

The beauty of this region is that you do not have to choose between exhilaration and restoration. You can absolutely have both.

When to visit, and when to book

The seasons are delightfully so distinct here, which means two things:

1. Timing shapes everything
2. There are at least three reasons to plan another trip

In terms of meteorological seasons, spring covers September, October and November. Ski season blends into abundant blossoms, paddock after paddock of newborn lambs, lengthening days and pre-peak pricing on activities and accommodation. A great time for photography fans and outdoor adventures without crowds.

Stretching from December through to the end of February, summer is hot round here – although if November’s weather behaves you’ll definitely need the sunblock then too. Lakes are glacial, so rarely truly warm up but days by the lake do provide the perfect cool off at this time of year and any amount of hiking or trail wandering will likely lead  you to hidden lake or river beaches. It is peak season, so booking ahead matters.

Leaf-peeping amidst the golden poplar landscapes of the Southern Lakes and Central Otago is simply stunning from March through April and into May. In a place often most associated with evergreen hillsides, the colours of autumn are often a true delight. Wine harvest makes it an interesting, if bustling, time to visit the many wineries. And the still-warm days and fewer people put on a completely fresh and adorable spin on the region.

You know it’s winter by the time June comes around. The locals are praying for early snowfalls and the ski fields are prepping for it – expect them to open mid-July. If you want to experience a decent winter, this is the place. The mountainous landscape is snow-capped even if you don’t get close to the powder yourself. New Zealand’s biggest ski field, Cardrona, is right here plus backcountry heli-skiing is available for those who need an extra adrenalin kick. Demand spikes with good snow, so the best accommodation goes early.

How long should you stay?

A quick, practical rule: the Southern Lakes rewards time.

• First-time visitors (5–7 days): base in Wānaka or Queenstown, focus on iconic sites and a couple of premium experiences to firmly secure this place in your heart.
  
• Returning visitors (7–14 days): try a two-base trip, add deeper adventures like heli-skiing, hiking or food and wine immersion.
  
• Southern Lakes enthusiasts (14+ days): go multi-base across the region and design your trip around exclusive, seasonal experiences.

In short, give yourself enough time to fall in love with the place.