Remote Corner of NZ “Straight Out of Your Favorite Fantasy Film”
“You may not know it, but the scenery of New Zealand’s South Island has become famous, thanks to films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Wolverine,” writes Carrie Miller in an article for Travel + Leisure. “On March 9, those otherworldly landscapes returned to the big screen in director Ava DuVernay’s adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s sci-fi tale A Wrinkle in Time.”
DuVernay found the stand-in for an idyllic planet in the region of Lake Wanaka – “specifically, in the mountains surrounding Lake Hawea, which runs parallel to Wanaka, and at Hunter Valley Station, a 27,000-acre ranch on Hawea’s western shore.”
Miller points out that the area has a lot more to offer than its cinematic cachet. These are her top reasons to visit:
You can experience luxury in the wild – Miller recommends visiting Mahu Whenua, “a handsomely appointed modern farmhouse with rustic-chic interiors” that’s surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary on 200 square miles of rugged terrain.
The wines are world-class – “Wanaka’s Pinot-friendly climate mirrors that of Bordeaux and Oregon’s Willamette Valley,” according to Miller, who recommends visiting Rippon Vineyard and Maude Wines.
Wanaka is a foodie haven – “The town may be tiny, but it has a surprising number of excellent restaurants” including Francesca’s Italian Kitchen and Bistro Gentil.
To read more about why you should visit the Wanaka region, please click here.
Article Source: Travel + Leisure, Carrie Miller, March 13, 2018
Image Source: Wikipedia
