Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
Wānaka, South Island, New Zealand
Accessible only by helicopter, this exclusive lodge is tucked away in a secluded glacial valley within New Zealand's Southern Alps. Situated at an elevation of 3,000 feet, guests are surrounded by the untouched beauty of the South Island's high country. Operated by the Wallis family since the early 1960s, the property spans from the shores of Lake Wānaka up into the Alps, and functions as a working high-country farm, home to thousands of deer, sheep, and cattle.
Sustainability is at the heart of the lodge—the Mountain Kitchen and chalets are powered by hydroelectricity from a nearby waterfall, and water comes from snow- and rain-fed streams. Adventurous travelers seeking exclusive access to remote natural landscapes will appreciate the distinct New Zealand experience this lodge offers.
Rooms and suites
The lodge features four private chalets. With king or twin beds and a queen-sized sofa bed in the dressing room, the chalets can accommodate couples, friends, or small groups. Decorated with high-country furnishings, each chalet includes an en-suite bathroom, private dressing room, and an outdoor hot tub on the deck. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide stunning mountain views, and underfloor heating keeps the space cozy throughout the year. Guests can unwind on their private deck beneath the stars, immersed in the alpine surroundings.
Amenities and experiences
Mountain Kitchen offers gourmet meals featuring locally sourced ingredients such as farm-raised venison, lamb, beef, and fresh seafood from Stewart Island, the West Coast, and Fiordland, paired with fine New Zealand wines. Day visitors can fly in for a multi-course lunch amidst mountain scenery.
Private tours to Fiordland, Milford Sound, Aoraki Mt Cook, and other landscapes with experienced pilots and guides.
Guided hiking, heli-hiking, heli-biking, horseback riding, and fly fishing in remote alpine environments.
Heli-skiing on untouched slopes in the Southern Alps.
Opportunities to hunt red stag, Himalayan tahr, chamois, and fallow deer.
The station is committed to protecting native flora and fauna, including initiatives to preserve endangered species like the New Zealand Falcon and Kea.
Exclusive alpine setting available for gatherings and weddings, accessible by helicopter.
How to get here
Accessible only by helicopter, the lodge is a 25–30-minute scenic flight from Queenstown Airport or a 15–20-minute flight from Wānaka Airport (WKA), offering views of snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys.
