Events and Activities

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

Events and Activities

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

Stay Inspired with Our Latest News!  Check out our latest updates, media coverage, and more. Don’t forget to share your own retreat moments with us by using the hashtag #mtcookretreat on social media.

What's On

Experiences that offer you time together with family and friends in the company of leading figures in food, wellness and stargazing.

Ashley Mackenzie Luxury Villa

Valentine’s Day

Celebrate love with an unforgettable dining experience. Choose from our Chef’s Tasting Experience, or enjoy a special 3-course dinner for $95 per person, which includes a special gift for each guest.

Tasting menu entreee

Mother’s Day

Treat your loved ones to a luxurious Royal High Tea this Mother’s Day. Enjoy exquisite pastries, savoury bites, and a glass of sparkling wine, all while taking in breathtaking views.

Ashley Mackenzie Luxury Villa

Dark Sky Stargazing

A stunning night tour of the world-famous Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Tasting menu entreee

Dusk to Dark Stargazing

Watch the sunset over Aoraki Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, then watch the stars light up the sky.

relaxing in the moraine villas

Billion Star Dining

Treat yourself to the Chef’s Tasting Menu followed by a stargazing experience at Pukaki Observatory.

Tasting menu entreee

Chefs Tasting Menu

6-course fine dining using local produce and flavours to showcase our region.

Ashley Mackenzie Luxury Villa

Royal High Tea

Indulge in a symphony of flavours that have been masterfully created using a low or no sugar approach.

Special Occasions and Meetings

The Moraine provides the perfect, elegant setting for any special occasion, gathering or event.

Guided Astrophotography

Learn how to take amazing photos of the night sky with our experienced astrophotographer.

Landscape Photography

Learn how to capture breathtaking images of the area around Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

Weddings and Elopements

Make your wedding the experience you’ve always dreamed of.

 We invite guests of the Retreat and visitors
to the region to take time to simply be together within the beautiful surroundings of the Retreat!

Each experience is built on our ethos of wellness, connection with nature, rest and rejuvenation. Fine food and wine, a spirit of fun and a sense of well-being are the focus. We are continually innovating to bring you fresh opportunities to engage with the best the Mackenzie region has to offer.

Most experiences require advanced ticket purchase or registration and are perfect as a surprise gift for a friend, colleague or loved one.

Our stay at the Retreat was memorable and the highlight of our 5-week trip to Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The views from our villa were breathtaking of the surrounding mountains and on the walks in the grounds there were beautiful vistas of Lake Pukaki and Mt Cook. The Retreat has everything, luxurious accommodation, beautifully designed and furnished interiors and your private hot tub for gazing at the stars. Kaye, Luke and all their staff were a delight, nothing was too much trouble. You can dine in the luxury of your own accommodation or enjoy dinner hosted and entertained with other guests in a baronial dining room. A choice of home grown food was available for breakfast and dinner – from the garden, with meat and fish sourced locally and cooked exquisitely by their chef. A hidden treat was the observatory Luke has built in the grounds with the opportunity to gaze at the the night sky totally unpolluted by electric light.

Kelvin and Susan London
Kelvin and Susan