Description
Planning your wedding in the Mackenzie region? Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is a truly breathtaking venue, offering modern couples a luxurious and private setting for their big day. With sweeping views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Ben Ohau mountain range, and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Pukaki, this retreat is designed for couples who want a romantic, memorable, and seamless wedding experience.
Ceremony and Reception Spaces
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat gives you a range of beautiful spaces to suit your wedding style and guest list. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement or a larger celebration with up to 200 guests, you’ll find flexible options here:
- Lakeside Lawn: Say your vows with Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki as your stunning natural backdrop.
- Lavender Lawn: Another gorgeous outdoor setting, perfect for a romantic ceremony surrounded by nature.
- The Moraine: An elegant indoor venue for ceremonies and receptions, seating up to 110 guests (or 150 for a standing event). The space opens onto a patio with panoramic views of the Ben Ohau mountains.
The retreat also offers a variety of dining experiences, from ultra-fine dining to more relaxed meals. You can arrange a rehearsal dinner, post-wedding lunch, or even a high tea for your guests, making your celebration truly personal.
Elopements
If you’re looking for a private, stress-free wedding, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat’s elopement package is designed just for you. This package covers all the details—including planning, a celebrant, and a personalised ceremony—for up to 8 guests, so you can focus on each other and the moment.
Luxurious Accommodation
Your wedding party can relax in style with on-site accommodation in four spacious villas. Two villas offer lakeside views towards Aoraki/Mount Cook, while the other two overlook the Ben Ohau Range and the Mackenzie landscape. Each villa features:
- Large central drawing room and dining area
- Ensuite bathrooms and super king beds
- Private outdoor hot tub for each villa
For an extra touch of luxury, the Ashley Mackenzie Villa includes exclusive access to the Fantail Spa, complete with an outdoor hot tub, sauna, massage room, and exercise facilities.
Unique Experiences
Make your wedding truly unforgettable with unique experiences offered at the retreat:
- Glacier Weddings: Exchange vows on a glacier before returning to celebrate with your guests.
- On-site Activities: Enjoy tennis, pétanque, walking tracks, and curling in winter.
- Stargazing: Experience the magic of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with stargazing in the retreat’s private wine cellar and observatory.
Location and Accessibility
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is located at 7944 Lake Pukaki, Canterbury, New Zealand. It’s a scenic 2–3 hour drive from Wanaka or Queenstown, and just 40 minutes from Lake Tekapo. For a grand entrance, helicopter access is available directly to the villas via four on-site helipads.
Overview of Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Wedding Venue Details
Wedding Catering
Reviews (5)
- MMaria08/02/2024I would return here often❤️ highly recommend.I would return here often❤️ highly recommend.Our stay was just too short. Luke, Lauren and Rafa were all the best hosts. The location, the food, the bed, the fireplace… it was all so dreamy! If I didn’t live 20,000km away I would return here often❤️ highly recommend.Our stay was just too short. Luke, Lauren and Rafa were all the best hosts. The location, the food, the bed, the fireplace… it was all so dreamy! If I didn’t live 20,000km away I would return here often❤️ highly recommend.
- GGrace08/02/2024Absolutely beautiful place to stayAbsolutely beautiful place to stayAbsolutely beautiful place to stay, can’t fault it. Luke was an amazing host, and we are so grateful for his compassion and helpfulness especially when mum unfortunately had a medical emergency in the middle of the night during our stay.Absolutely beautiful place to stay, can’t fault it. Luke was an amazing host, and we are so grateful for his compassion and helpfulness especially when mum unfortunately had a medical emergency in the middle of the night during our stay.
- RRobert08/02/2024Food was excellent Food was excellentSuperbly located luxury accommodation on the shores of Lake Pukaki. We were lucky enough to stay in the Ashley Mackenzie Villa which had a superb kitchen/lounge area with open fire, master bedroom and bathroom and a sauna/steam room, small gym/exercise room and a hot tub looking out onto the lake. Dinner was served in your own Villa and delivered by the chef fresh every night. Both dinners we had the food was excellent and it was lovely to eat whilst looking out onto the Lake [...]Superbly located luxury accommodation on the shores of Lake Pukaki. We were lucky enough to stay in the Ashley Mackenzie Villa which had a superb kitchen/lounge area with open fire, master bedroom and bathroom and a sauna/steam room, small gym/exercise room and a hot tub looking out onto the lake. Dinner was served in your own Villa and delivered by the chef fresh every night. Both dinners we had the food was excellent and it was lovely to eat whilst looking out onto the Lake [...]
- DDan08/02/2024We could not have asked for a better stayWe could not have asked for a better stayWe could not have asked for a better stay at Mount Cook Lakeside retreat. My wife and I spent 2 nights to start off our Honeymoon in New Zealand in March 2023. Everything you could need was on site so there was no need to leave! We spent our time relaxing on our villa patio overlooking the mountains and exploring the grounds. From delicious meals delivered to our villa and playing tennis with an incredible view of Mt. Cook to star gazing and dining with our hosts and other guests [...]We could not have asked for a better stay at Mount Cook Lakeside retreat. My wife and I spent 2 nights to start off our Honeymoon in New Zealand in March 2023. Everything you could need was on site so there was no need to leave! We spent our time relaxing on our villa patio overlooking the mountains and exploring the grounds. From delicious meals delivered to our villa and playing tennis with an incredible view of Mt. Cook to star gazing and dining with our hosts and other guests [...]
- GGiullia08/02/2024The food was to die forThe food was to die forThe photos do not do it justice, this place is a hidden paradise. So secluded, peaceful, and absolutely stunning! We stayed at the Ashley Mackenzie villa, where we also had our elopement ceremony (if you are looking at the elopement package, do consider upgrading to the AMV!!). The villa is impeccable and the staff are so friendly and helpful (a special thank you to Thatianna)! The food was to die for (and the chef, Rafa, was so knowledgeable and friendly!) [...]The photos do not do it justice, this place is a hidden paradise. So secluded, peaceful, and absolutely stunning! We stayed at the Ashley Mackenzie villa, where we also had our elopement ceremony (if you are looking at the elopement package, do consider upgrading to the AMV!!). The villa is impeccable and the staff are so friendly and helpful (a special thank you to Thatianna)! The food was to die for (and the chef, Rafa, was so knowledgeable and friendly!) [...]
