Whare Kea Lodge is the biggest splurge on a Wanaka honeymoon: a private lodge on the shore of Lake Wanaka that you book in its entirety, with an alpine chalet high in the mountains reached by helicopter. It sits about ten minutes from Wanaka town on the road to Mount Aspiring National Park, with a helipad on the front lawn and views across the lake to the peaks.
The lodge has six ensuite bedrooms, two master suites and four deluxe rooms, but it is booked as a whole for up to six or up to twelve guests. For two people that means you have the house, the lake frontage and the staff to yourselves. The Whare Kea Chalet sits at 1,750 meters in the Albert Burn Saddle, on the edge of the national park, a 20 minute scenic flight away.
It suits couples who want total privacy and a once-in-a-lifetime mountain night, as long as they are comfortable paying for a whole lodge. The three-night minimum and exclusive-use pricing make it a serious investment. Book direct with the lodge or a trusted agent, since it does not sell through third-party sites.
Highlights at a glance
- Exclusive use of a six-bedroom lodge on Lake Wanaka
- Alpine chalet at 1,750 meters, 20 minutes by helicopter
- Helipad on the front lawn
- Edge of Mount Aspiring National Park
- Ten minutes from Wanaka town
Why Couples Love Whare Kea
Privacy is the point. Booking the whole lodge means no other guests at breakfast, no shared lounge and no one else on the lawn when you walk down to the lake at sunrise. For a honeymoon, that level of seclusion is rare anywhere in New Zealand.
The setting is classic Wanaka. The lake stretches out in front of the lodge, the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park rise to the north and the light changes all day across the water. On calm evenings, the lake turns to glass.
Then there is the chalet. Flying up to a mountain hut at 1,750 meters, with the national park spread around you and nobody else for miles, is a memory few couples will match. Even a hosted lunch there on a day trip is extraordinary.
Rooms and the Chalet
The lodge has six bedrooms, all with their own bathrooms:
- Two master suites, the obvious choice for a honeymooning couple
- Four deluxe rooms, which sit empty or can host friends and family if you choose
Because the lodge is booked as a whole, you simply pick your favorite master suite. Housekeeping runs every second day for groups of up to six, which keeps the house quiet and private.
The Whare Kea Chalet is separate, at 1,750 meters in the Albert Burn Saddle. It has two double bedrooms, a loft, central heating, power, a hot shower and big windows onto the mountains. Its roof holds snow for insulation and carries solar panels. It sleeps six guests plus two staff. It can be booked for day trips, hosted lunches, guided heli-hikes or overnight stays. Ask about honeymoon options when you enquire.
Food, Drink and Service
The lodge's published rate covers exclusive use, linen, in-house laundry and a departure clean. It does not state whether meals or drinks are included, so ask the lodge exactly what is covered and what can be arranged before you book.
Wanaka town is about ten minutes away, with a good range of restaurants, cafes and wine bars along the lakefront. Rippon, one of the region's best-known vineyards, sits above the lake and is a lovely place for a tasting.
For the chalet, hosted lunches and overnight retreats are offered, which is the simplest way to enjoy the mountain without planning food and logistics yourselves. Bring a bottle of Central Otago Pinot Noir for the evening. Remember that mountain weather can delay or cancel flights, so keep plans flexible.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Wanaka offers a mix of big hikes and slow days by the lake:
- Fly to the Whare Kea Chalet with Aspiring Helicopters for a hosted lunch or overnight stay
- Hike to the Rob Roy Glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park
- Climb Roys Peak at dawn for one of New Zealand's best-known views
- Taste wine at Rippon above the lake
- Ski at Cardrona or Treble Cone in winter
The lodge is described as a base for outdoor adventures across Wanaka and Central Otago. Ask the lodge for help with planning. Heli-skiing and heli-hiking from the chalet are options for active couples.
On quieter days, paddle a kayak along the lake, swim at the Blue Pools on the road to Haast Pass or visit the famous willow tree that grows out of Lake Wanaka.
Getting There
Fly into Queenstown Airport (ZQN), then drive about 1 hour 10 minutes over the Crown Range to Wanaka. The lodge is at 494 Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road, about ten minutes beyond the town center.
The Crown Range road climbs high and can be icy in winter, so check road conditions and carry snow chains when advised. The longer route via Cromwell avoids the pass.
Because the lodge has its own helipad, you can also arrive by helicopter from Queenstown, a dramatic start to your stay. Flights to the chalet are arranged with Aspiring Helicopters and take about 20 minutes. Wanaka has a small airport for charter flights but no regular commercial service, so most couples arrive via Queenstown.
Is It Worth It?
For couples with a generous budget who want absolute privacy, yes. Few places offer a whole lakeside lodge for two, plus a mountain chalet a helicopter ride away. If you have dreamed of a honeymoon in the Southern Alps with nobody else around, this is it.
The value case is harder for a couple. You pay for six bedrooms and need to book at least three nights. The published rate does not spell out meals. Ask for a clear quote with food, drinks and flights before you commit.
If you want luxury with other guests and a lower price, look at Queenstown's lodges, such as Rosewood Matakauri, an hour away. For a cozy lakeside stay in Wanaka, a boutique hotel or a vacation home with a hot tub costs far less. For a private lodge and a mountain chalet of your own, Whare Kea is unique.
Insider tips
- Ask for a full quote that includes meals, drinks and chalet flights.
- Book direct with the lodge or a trusted agent; it warns of fraudulent listings.
- Build in a spare day in case weather delays the chalet flight.
- Arrive by helicopter from Queenstown and land on the lodge lawn.
