Discover Black Label Retreats, our invitation-only collection of New Zealand’s most exceptional private villas, vacation homes and architectural residences – each quietly positioned in the pristine landscapes of the Southern Lakes region of New Zealand’s, South Island.

Winter in New Zealand’s Southern Lakes Region offers far more than a traditional ski holiday. From luxury accommodation in Wānaka, Queenstown and Arrowtown, to guided mountain experiences, private transport and exceptional dining, our local team can help arrange every detail of your stay.

For eighteen years, Release NZ has been organising family holidays across the Southern Lakes from its base in Wānaka. The portfolio of homes we use for families ranges from three-bedroom holiday houses for a single family of four, through to lakeside villas that sleep fourteen for multi-generational gatherings and extended family reunions.

Tucked away at the gateway to the Southern Alps lies one of South Island’s best-kept secrets: Wānaka. This picturesque holiday resort town sits on Lake Wānaka, taking in panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks in Mount Aspiring National Park.

Wānaka doesn’t need much selling. Sit at the edge of the lake on a clear morning, look up at the mountains, and it’s pretty obvious why people keep coming back – and why a lot of them (including us!) eventually stop leaving.

Queenstown in the Southern Lakes is synonymous with dramatic alpine landscapes, Lake Wakatipu, Lord of the Rings scenery, world-class dining, and unforgettable adventure.