Fleewinter

Mahitahi is a gem of a place on the road between Wanaka and Fox Glacier in the tiny settlement of Bruce Bay, the gateway to Glacier Country. The house was built by John and Jacqui and features a lot of fantastic native timber salvaged from the rivers nearby.

There are three rooms, which are all named after, and feature specific native timber. All are generously sized and have en-suite bathrooms. The small number of rooms and the fact that Jacqui and John greet guests like they are old friends makes this really feel like a home away from home.

Once you have arrived, there is no need to head out again to look for dinner as Jacqui cooks up a feast in the kitchen every evening. If it is the right season you might be lucky enough to sample some famous, freshly caught West Coast whitebait as a starter; locally reared, slow cooked lamb or trout from the nearby river. Wine and beer from South Island vineyard and breweries provides a perfect accompaniment to the three-course meal. After dinner, perhaps take a nightcap and relax in the hot tub for some stargazing.

If you get the chance, a walk in the local area with John is an absolute must. He is extremely knowledgeable about the local environment, history and culture and will give you true insight to the real New Zealand. Fishing equipment and kayaks are available to use in the nearby rivers. If you want to use this as a more secluded base to explore the glaciers then Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson (the mirror lake) are only a 40-minute drive away.