Minaret Station

Minaret Station

A four-chalet alpine lodge accessible only by helicopter or boat, standing at the head of a glacial valley deep within the Southern Alps near Wanaka on 50,000 acres of Wallis family wilderness, with king-size chalets each holding a private hot tub for stargazing, the Mountain Kitchen at the social center, and an activity program covering helicopter touring, backcountry fly fishing, guided hunting, hiking, and heli-skiing across the Southern Alps.

At Do Not Disturb, we match you with one of our dedicated luxury travel experts who designs a tailor-made itinerary around how you want your time away to feel. With deep destination knowledge and meticulous planning behind the scenes, we transform complex travel into something effortless and entirely your own.

The world without distraction.

At a glance

Minaret Station is one of those rare places that has no equivalent in New Zealand luxury lodging. The alpine lodge stands at the head of a glacial valley deep within the Southern Alps near Wanaka, on 50,000 acres of wilderness accessible only by helicopter or boat.

The Wallis family connection to this land dates to the early 1960s, when the late Sir Tim Wallis first worked the property. After purchasing Minaret Station in 1995, the family opened the Alpine Lodge in 2010, and Tim’s four sons continue to lead the operation today with the same commitment to quality hospitality that defined their father’s vision.

The activity program is exceptional. Helicopter touring, backcountry fly fishing, guided hunting, hiking, and heli-skiing are all on offer across the surrounding Southern Alps, making this one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most extraordinary stays.

Minaret Station

In detail

  • Food and Drink

    Food and Drink

    Food at Minaret Station is rooted in the surrounding landscape. Chefs work exclusively with local ingredients, including free-range venison, lamb, and Angus beef sourced from the station’s own farm, with seafood brought in fresh from Stewart Island and the West Coast.

    Dining can be taken in the Mountain Kitchen, the outdoor dining room, on the deck, or privately in your own chalet, with the format entirely at the guest’s discretion. All meals and beverages are included in the nightly rate.

  • Activities

    Activities

    The signature excursion is a full-day helicopter trip to Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, with a landing on the Tasman Glacier for a guided exploration of seracs, icefalls, and ancient blue ice caves before a return flight sweeps across the western Southern Alps toward the Tasman Sea. Optional heli-hiking en route is available for those wanting to go further.

    Beyond the Aoraki excursion, the wider activity program covers backcountry fly fishing, guided hunting, hiking, and heli-skiing across the surrounding wilderness. Conservation stands at the heart of everything Minaret Station does, with the family managing a 50,000-acre ecosystem home to six threatened bird species, three regionally significant plants, and sixteen threatened plant species, alongside robust pest control and a long-term reintroduction program.

  • Location

    Location

    Minaret Station stands at the head of a glacial valley deep within the Southern Alps near Wanaka on 50,000 acres of Wallis family wilderness on New Zealand’s South Island.

    Access is by helicopter or boat only, with charter helicopters transferring guests from Wanaka Airport in around 15 minutes, or from Queenstown Airport in around 30 minutes. Boat transfers cross Lake Wanaka from the lakefront. The surrounding wilderness extends across the Southern Alps in every direction, with the lodge functioning as a base camp for the alpine landscape rather than a destination close to the wider region’s towns and cities.

Room Types

Alpine Chalets

The four alpine chalets at Minaret Station each offer private valley views, king-size beds, sheepskin carpets, en-suite bathrooms, and a hot tub on a private deck for stargazing above the glacial valley.

At the heart of the lodge, the Mountain Kitchen connects the chalets via raised boardwalks and serves as the social hub, with wood-burning fires, a well-stocked cellar, and first-class dining throughout the stay.

Plan Your Journey White Arrow Icon
Alpine Chalets

Our reviews

“Our trip was truly magical and full of core memories that will last us a lifetime.”

Michael • Bora Bora Honeymoon

Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

“We just returned from an incredible journey through Ireland, and we couldn’t have had a better experience”

Brad • Ireland Adventure

Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

“This was a flawless experience. They took all our thoughts and perfectly curated the most beautiful honeymoon.”

Kris • Sicily Honeymoon

Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

Our team brings over 35 years of experience in luxury travel, shaping bespoke journeys for discerning clients worldwide. The reviews below reflect the trust placed in us and the experiences we continue to create.

See more reviews on Trustpilot

Travel inspiration and editorials

Auckland 8 min read

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and its primary international gateway, which means most travelers pass through it. The city has become genuinely interesting in recent years, with a restaurant scene that ranks internationally, galleries and museums that justify time, and neighborhoods that feel lived-in rather than designed for tourism.

Milford Sound 8 min read

Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are the two primary fjords, and they operate on completely different scales and rhythms. Understanding the distinction between them is essential to planning properly.

Marlborough 8 min read

At Do Not Disturb, we work directly with winemakers, cellar door managers, and producers throughout New Zealand’s regions to arrange private tastings, behind-the-scenes cellar visits, and dinners that connect you with the actual people shaping the country’s wine culture.

Kenya’s most compelling honeymoon itinerary moves between two entirely different worlds: the wildlife-dense plains of the Maasai Mara and the ancient coral-stone quietude of Lamu Island. Together, they form a journey that is both dramatically varied and precisely calibrated for couples seeking depth over spectacle.

Your next steps

Planning your trip should feel effortless.

We Listen

You share what matters, whether it’s a destination, a feeling, or a moment worth celebrating.

We Curate

Your dedicated expert shapes a thoughtful, private itinerary tailored entirely around you.

You Travel

Every detail handled. Every moment considered. Support before, during, and after your journey.

Tell us about your journey

    Step 1 / 2

    Let's design your escape

    Answer a few quick questions and we’ll craft a journey as unique as your state of mind.