For sale for upwards of US$700,000. Lake Ohau Cottage offers an enviable lifestyle. It is located in one of the, or arguably, THE most beautiful area of New Zealand: the Lake Ohau area of the Southern Alps. Although it lies between the popular Mount Cook and Queenstown/Wanaka areas, most people don't know it exists; it is truly away from the crowds. It has paved roads, electricity, telephones, broadband internet, satellite TV, and all of the conveniences and security of a developed country. It also has fishing, kayaking, hiking, boating, swimming all literally at your doorstep. Within a couple minutes walk you can be fly fishing for trout or salmon, on the water in a kayak, canoe or boat, or hiking on miles of tracks on conservation land. No need to get into your car.

VIEWS

What makes Lake Ohau Cottage unique is its stupendous views. From the kitchen, dining area, living area, master bedroom or long verandah you will be treated to magnificent mountain and lake views. The living areas open up to the north, (the sunny side in the Southern Hemisphere), and to a beautiful cottage garden. Your privacy is guaranteed. There is only reserve between the cottage and Lake Ohau and mountains beyond. You can work from the verandah on your laptop computer with just nature and native song birds as your companions --and the VIEWS.

CLIMATE

Many believe that Lake Ohau has the best climate in New Zealand. It has long, hot summer days (with cool nights) but some think that the autumn is the best time with glorious colours and perfect weather for hiking. The winter brings snow and fabulous skiing/snowboarding within 20 minutes drive. The spring is also absolutely gorgeous with vivid colours and magnificent scenery. It is a place of constantly changing light and colours making it endlessly fascinating to artists and photographers.

LOCATION

Lake Ohau is in the high country in the central part of the South Island. It is approximately 2 1/2 hours north of Queenstown and an hour and a quarter drive south of Mount Cook. The subdivision, named Lake Ohau Alpine Village, has approximately 130 sections, (lots), and is one of a kind in the area. It is surrounded by mountains, two lakes, farm land and huge tracts of conservation land. Lake Ohau Cottage commands the best location in this subdivision with forever unobstructed views.

Lake Ohau Village lies between Omarama, a world class gliding area, and Twizel which is the home of a world class rowing venue. It is approximately 25 minute drive to both these towns. In both Omarama and Twizel there are service stations, restaurants, grocery stores, postal facilities, and in Twizel there is a medical centre.

DETAILS

The cottage has two double bedrooms, a bathroom, separate toilet, separate laundry room, and a large open plan kitchen, dining, living area with high ceilings. The living area opens up with double doors to a long verandah. It is kept warm and cozy during the winter with a gas fireplace.

RETIREMENT or VACATION HOME or BOLT HOLE

This could be the perfect retirement home and there are several people in the village who are retired and live there permanently. It is also a great weekend or holiday getaway from Christchurch or Dunedin and a perfect antidote to coastal weather. It is sheltered from southerly winds and often has the best weather in New Zealand.

But you don't need to be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to enjoy it. For example, some US citizens live in New Zealand for 6 months of the year as a visitor, enjoying the great lifestyle here, and spend the rest of the year touring the US in a motorhome or living somewhere else in the world. The cottage can be a vacation rental when you aren't here or simply have it as your own personal bolt hole for peace of mind. The area is safe and secure.