The Homestead at Lake Hayes
Queenstown – South Island
10
5
5.5
$7,500 per night (up to 10 guests)
A luxuriously renovated historic homestead with stunning gardens on a 15 acre private estate on iconic Lake Hayes, Queenstown.
Welcome to The Homestead at Lake Hayes
Set within 15 acres of private grounds on the shores of Lake Hayes, this beautifully restored historic homestead offers a secluded retreat just moments from Queenstown.
The Homestead is perfectly situated between historic Arrowtown and bustling Queenstown, on idyllic Lake Hayes with direct access to the Queenstown Trail, and conveniently close to Queenstown airport.
Surrounded by established gardens and sweeping alpine scenery, The Homestead blends its rich heritage with relaxed contemporary luxury. Generous living spaces make it ideal for gathering with family and friends, while thoughtfully chosen art, furnishings and finishes bring warmth and character throughout.
At the heart of the home is a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, complemented by three indoor fireplaces and a range of heating options for year-round comfort.
Outdoors, guests can unwind beside the swimming pool, gather around the floating fireplace or enjoy a selection of games and activities for all ages. Wander through the century-old orchard, join the Lake Hayes walking trail or make use of the private gym.
Private, peaceful and beautifully appointed, The Homestead is a place to slow down, reconnect and experience one of Queenstown’s most iconic settings.
The Homestead is surrounded by three ski fields, multiple world class golf courses and all the adventure activities that Queenstown is renowned for. The cellar doors of Amisfield, Aryburn and Mora are within walking/biking distance and the vineyards of Gibbston Valley and Bannockburn are a short drive away. It is all on your doorstep!
What questions
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Main House
Primary Suite
California King
Ensuite with bathtub
Seating area
Bedroom 2
SuperKing - or - 2 King Single
Ensuite
Bedroom 3
SuperKing
Ensuite
Bedroom 4
SuperKing Bed
Ensuite
Seating area
Bedroom 5
SuperKing - or - 2 King Single
Ensuite
Wine, honey, fresh flowers
Weekly linen change
Up to 3 hrs housekeeping (excl public holidays and Sat/Sun)
The following services can be arranged at prior request:
Chef
Driver
Babysitting
Personal Trainer
Ski Instruction
Golf Courses
The house:
Veranda lounge
Art Lobby
Cloakroom/WC
Library with real wood fire and whisky bar
TV room with wood burner and garden bar
Dining Great Room with baby grand and real wood fire
Kitchen with Aga, range cooker, wine fridge, double fridge and freezer, microwave, Nespresso, dishwasher
Gym
Giant Chess
Wine room with additional dining and lounge area
Private grounds:
Heated swimming pool
Hot tub & sauna
Covered outdoor fire and seating
Heritage orchard
Organic vegetable garden
Greenhouse
Petanque court and seating
Croquet lawn
Wild flower meadow
Trampoline
Treehouse
Chicken coop
Woodland gardens
Lakefront paddock
Native wetlands
3km of private walking trails
Fire pit
Boat shed and sleep out
Shops, Bars & Restaurants:
Five Mile - 5 minutes
Arrowtown - 10 minutes
Queenstown - 15 minutes
Airport - 10 minutes
Golf Courses:
The Hills - 10 minutes
Arrowtown - 10 minutes
Millbrook - 10 minutes
Queenstown - 20 minutes
Jacks Point - 20 minutes
Ski Fields:
Coronet Peak - 25 minutes
The Remarkables - 35 minutes
Cardrona - 60 minutes
Cellar Doors & Vineyards:
Amisfield - 5 minutes
Ayrburn - 8 minutes
Mora - 6 minutes
Gibbston Valley - 15 minutes
The Green Project
From the Owners: “There is no doubt that we bought The Homestead and historic farm buildings for the unique location and iconic setting. However, beyond the Lake and mountain views, we fell in love with the old trees - we knew that we could not re-create the giant Wellingtonia on the Avenue and the heritage orchard within The Homestead gardens in our lifetime. There are over 300 protected and listed heritage trees within The Homestead grounds.
And from the day we completed the purchase of The Homestead we have been planting more and more trees!
To date, we have planted more than 300 trees around The Homestead and The Cottages, adding to the existing exotics and natives, including kowhai, mountain beech and cordyline (cabbage palm). We are rewarded with spectacular blossom through Spring, a stunning display of colour through Autumn and the delightful bird song from tuis and korimako (bell birds) and chatter from piwakawaka (fantails) year round.”
Removal of Invasive Cracked Willow
“Our lower paddocks border Lake Hayes and were overgrown with invasive cracked willow.
We have been working in close consultation and under agreement with The Department of Conservation over the last five years, and have fully funded the removal of vast areas of invasive cracked willow at the edge of Lake Hayes.
The willow removal has recreated the original wetland and provided the raupo and other native plants the space to grow back along the water's edge.
In addition, we have personally planted over 3,000 natives plants to re-establish the native wetlands including carex, toi toi, cabbage trees, flax and tussocks.
It's such a pleasure to see the native birdlife return - Australasian crested grebes are nesting and successfully breeding; herons and kotare (kingfishers) are regularly spotted and even the extremely rare and shy marsh crake and royal spoonbill have been spotted for the first time in many years.
This area remains a work in progress and will continue to improve over time as we ensure that the willow does not return, and as we continue to plant more natives.
Our goal is to create a very special ecological wetland zone that guests and users of the Lake Hayes trail can enjoy.
All profits from The Homestead rentals are re-invested in The Green Project”.
Signature Experiences
Hike the Lake Hayes Loop track.
The Lake Hayes Loop trail is right there at the bottom of the garden. Or "at the end of the paddock" as we say in New Zealand!
Walk past the ancient redwoods onto the private paddock trails. You will come to the cutest converted grain silo where you can sit and take in the gorgeous surroundings or take your lunch down for a Silo picnic.
From there, go through the private access gate onto the 8km loop trail - a locals’ favourite.
Witness the significant work the owners of The Homestead have done, rebalancing and restoring the wetlands in the surrounding area by removing the invasive, introduced willows and planting thousands of beautiful native species that help filter the water and provide safe habitat for the birds.
The trail forms part of the Queenstown Trail for walking and biking with ever-changing light and scenery along the way. You may see some of the local students out rowing from their newly built, community funded club and boat sheds.
It is very peaceful around and on Lake Hayes. Fun fact: motorised boats are not allowed on the lake, except the low-powered coach boats for support rowers.
2. Private Pilates, Yoga, Personal Training in your own gym with a view
Self train or we can arrange a private instructor for you during your stay. The gym is cleverly designed to open out the the garden and the lake beyond with views no matter which side you are facing - either the reflection in the mirror or facing outwards with the sun shining in.
Location
Queenstown – South Island
Getting there
Lake Hayes, Queenstown
By Air:
International arrivals:
Auckland International Airport,
Christchurch International Airport
or Queenstown International Airport
Closest Domestic airport:
Queenstown Airport
The Homestead at Lake Hayes is less than a 5-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown airport (scenic flight time can be added)
By Road:
From Queenstown airport: 15 minutes
From Central Queenstown: 20 minutes