Stay Like a Local: High-End, Low-Impact Stays in Wānaka

A slower pace of travel is a more mindful one. Often travelling can feel like ticking off a checklist of the popular spots, but when you take a beat and immerse yourself in the local culture and environment, you get to truly experience what makes a place so special.

Along with beautiful walks and bike trails, there is much to explore, including curated boutiques, breweries, wineries, bespoke eateries, and art. By choosing to travel slowly you create a greater whanaukataka (sense of connection) to people and place, and can feel good knowing you’re supporting the local community and environment that makes your trip memorable.

A curated portfolio of luxury holiday homes and tailored experiences, Release NZ is backed by over 18 years of local experience. With a select list featuring everything from Wānaka’s architecturally designed villas to secluded lakefront retreats, Release NZ offer accommodation and experiences that show off the best of our region.

A Love Wānaka Impact Partner, Release NZ contributes 1% of proceeds to local environmental initiatives, while promoting low-impact stays through thoughtful operations and considered guest guidance. Founder & Director Nick explains, “Wānaka is special to us because it’s home. We live here, raise our families here, and are genuinely passionate about sharing the very best of the region… We partner with Love Wānaka because we believe tourism should give back — encouraging guests to stay longer, support local businesses, and experience the region in a more meaningful, lower-impact way.”

Nick’s recommended hidden gems:

• Ride at Bike Glendhu for world-class mountain biking with lake and alpine views.
• Walk the Rocky Mountain Track, especially early morning or late afternoon for the best light.
• Book a guided fly fishing experience on local rivers for a slower, immersive outdoor day.
• Arrange an in-house dining experience with a private chef using seasonal Central Otago produce.
• Try local pinot noirs from Akitu or Maude.

Set in a peaceful location minutes from town, Copper Beech Lodge is a contemporary bed and breakfast that offers a personalised stay surrounded by nature. Hosts Belinda and Simon Wulf have crafted a space that feels intentional, with an emphasis on comfort, simplicity, and connection to place.

From homegrown produce and composting, to solar power and eco-friendly products, Copper Beech Lodge takes a hands-on approach to sustainable accommodation.

A Love Wānaka Impact Partner, Copper Beech Lodge is committed to helping protect the future of this special region. As Belinda and Simon share, “We love seeing visitors explore this amazing place we’re so lucky to call home. We partner with Love Wānaka to help protect the future of this special region and its environment. We see so many of our guests truly inspired to get out into nature — whether it’s an adventurous hike, cycling off-road for the first time in years or getting on the lake.”

Belinda and Simon’s favourite spots:

• Walk to the lookout on the Rocky Mountain Track for expansive lake and mountain views.
• Cycle the Hāwea River Track for an easy, scenic ride through the valley.
• Take a trip to Mou Waho Island for a unique lake and island experience.
• Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Millennium and Outlet Tracks.
• Dine at Bistro Gentil, just a short walk from the lodge, and make the most of Wānaka’s vibrant food scene.

Perched high above Lake Wānaka, Whare Kea is a private alpine retreat designed for complete escape. With floor-to-ceiling glass and minimalist architecture, the lodge makes the surrounding landscape as the key focus.

Developed over more than three decades by owners Martyn and Louise Myer, the property reflects a deep commitment to the land – including the planting of over 20,000 native trees and a long-standing focus on careful stewardship. Whare Kea also incorporates energy-efficient systems and solar power, supporting a long-term vision of low-impact luxury.

As Property Manager, Gill, reflects, “We know our guests leave Whare Kea and Wānaka feeling like part of our extended family, which is one of the many reasons they continue to return. It is important to them (and to us) that their stay has a positive impact on our local community. By contributing to the protection and regeneration of Wānaka’s natural environment, we have a collective opportunity to give back to this land, ensuring it remains as special for future generations as it is to us today.”

Gill’s must-do experiences:

• Visit Pembroke Patisserie for exceptional pastries, perfect for a pre-adventure stop or slow morning.
• Hike the Sawyer Burn track at Kidds Bush for a quieter alternative to Roy’s Peak with equally stunning views.
• Swim in Lake Hāwea and unwind at the Secret Sauna afterwards.
• Book dinner at Kika, Muttonbird, or FuDog for standout local dining experiences.

A local icon on the shores of Lake Wānaka, Edgewater offers a relaxed stay where guests can slow down and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region. With uninterrupted views of the lake and surrounding mountains, it’s the perfect spot for easy mornings, long walks, and relaxed evenings.

Guest Experience Manager, Alexandra, shares why Edgewater reflects the spirit of Wānaka, part of what makes our home so special for visitors and locals alike. “Wānaka is full of like-minded people who genuinely care about protecting this incredible landscape, while also making the most of everything it offers. There’s a real sense of balance here — enjoying nature but also respecting it — and that creates such a positive energy and community around the place.”

Alexandra’s local hidden gems:

• Stay longer than one night. It’s the most common feedback from guests — one night simply isn’t enough. Give yourself at least two nights to settle into the rhythm of Wānaka and explore at a more meaningful pace.
• A perfect foodie day: start with lakeside brunch and coffee at Edgewater, stroll along the waterfront to Sofi for a relaxed cocktail and shared plates, then ease into dinner at local favourites like Muttonbird, Arc, or Fudog. Finish the evening with a nightcap (and often live music) at Verve.
• Sip with the seasons: margaritas at Paloma in summer, red wine and games at Verve in autumn, mulled wine by the fire at the Cardrona Hotel in winter, and a sangria or Hugo spritz at Sofi in spring.

Each of these premium accommodation providers are part of a wider goal to ensure tourism in Wānaka gives back more than it takes. This is the mission of Love Wānaka and part of what makes your choice so meaningful – leaving with a deeper connection to this area, and with that a sense of responsibility, respect, and belonging.

Wānaka is the kind of place that rewards a slower approach. The more time you take, the more it gives back, whether that’s in quiet moments by the lake or conversations with the people who call this place home.

For you as a visitor, choosing locally owned, sustainability-minded accommodation is one of the easiest ways to shape a better trip. It connects you more closely to the region and helps ensure Wānaka remains as special for future visitors as it is today.

If you’re looking to experience Wānaka beyond the postcard-perfect views, these stays are a good place to start.