Get a taste for some of the regions finest

The Southern Lakes region is famous for its new world wines with the local varietals like Pinot Noir rated amongst the world’s best.

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.

The Southern Lakes region has attracted huge interest for its remarkable ‘New World’ wines, with the local varietals like Pinot Noir being rated amongst the world’s best.

Some of the local wineries, like the award winning Amisfield Winery & Bistro and Gibbston Valley winery also boast restaurants and tasting facilities in spectacular settings with cuisine to match. Here is the perfect opportunity to relax, have lunch and enjoy local flavours and superb scenery.

For those guests who would like to experience some of the rich local culture, the team at Blanket Bay can organise your day, whether self-drive or with a chauffeur driven car, sampling the local wine, enjoying a fabulous lunch at Amisfield Bistro and Gibbston Valley winery while meeting the artists at their studios.

New Zealand’s art and the artists themselves offer a refreshing insight into how kiwis continue to make a name for themselves on the world stage. Locally we are fortunate to have some of New Zealand’s most interesting and respected artists in residence; to be able to visit them in their own studios is one of the great attractions of the region.

 

More Activities

Milford Sound

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.

Dart River Jet

Journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, where myth, heritage and fantasy come to life.

Horse Riding

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.

Heli-Skiing

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.

Fly & Heli-Fishing

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.

Hiking

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. The track is one of New Zealand’s Nine Great Walks and is maintained by the Department of Conservation.

Golf

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.

Adventure Activities

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.