Located on the 2428-hectare Ben Avon Station in the wilderness of the Ahuriri Valley, North Otago, the Lindis Pods are surrounded by conservation parks, mountains and beech forest. Designed by architect Noel Martin, each 20-metre-squared pod features a king-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom with a black marble sink, an outdoor gas-heated tub and a private deck.

The pods have walls of one-way glass that offer 180-degree uninterrupted views of the mountains and night skies. They are made from dark wood, creating a further connection with the nature on their doorstep. The pods are located a short walk from the main lodge and guests can use its eco-amenities, and their mirrored finish makes them all but invisible to passers-by.

Read the full article on The Lindis Pods by our expert Sally in Lonely Planet.

Wanaka is beautifully positioned on the shores of Lake Wanaka and is overlooked by the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park.

It is the perfect place to simply relax and enjoy the mountain scenery and there are also some superb day walks including a tramp up the West Matukituki Valley to Rob Roy Glacier.   In the winter it is base camp for the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas which offer some of New Zealand’s best skiing and throughout the year it is the jumping off point for those wishing to explore the rugged and remote wilderness of Mount Aspiring National Park.

To add variety, Wanaka is home to attractions as diverse as Puzzling World with its Great Maze and Illusion Rooms and Warbirds Over Wanaka, the largest collection of operational Second World War Aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere.