New energy-focused tourist attraction launched in Wanaka

New Zealand’s first renewable energy-focused hot tub and electric bike cruise destination has been established in Wanaka.

LandEscape Wanaka is set among some of the country’s most spectacular scenery on a working farm on Camp Hill Road between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea.

The attraction will include 15 kilometres of gentle and scenic purpose-built cycle trails, eight natural-style outdoor hot tubs and six stargazing glasshouses.

The first stage of LandEscape will be complete towards the end of November this year and will comprise four hot tubs each boasting spectacular mountain and valley vistas. Another four tubs will be added over subsequent months. Guests are currently able to book one of two hot tubs already commissioned and in operation, located close to the LandEscape Ride Centre.

Further development – including more hot tubs, accommodation, a restaurant and bar – is planned for the future.

LandEscape owner and operator Rik Deaton says the innovative tourism venture will have a strong focus on renewable energy technologies and sustainability. He and his wife Juliet are planning for the entire site to slowly transition towards being fully solar powered and eventually to become a net energy exporter.

Deaton advised "we have owned this extraordinary land for nearly 30 years and we’re excited to be able to share it with the rest of the community as well as visitors to Wanaka.

“We don’t believe that there is anywhere else in New Zealand where people can e-bike over private farmland, relax in an outdoor hot tub and go stargazing all in the one place. LandEscape is a unique and meaningful experience on a glorious property that’s suitable for everyone.”

LandEscape’s innovative hot tub water sanitisation and filtration programme is via a chemical-free drinking-water-quality system installed individually at each tub site. The hot tubs – or ‘SpaGazers’ – will be filled with fresh alpine water from the on-site spring and all feature uninterrupted views of mountains, valleys and farmland. Guests will travel to their hot tub by electric shuttle and each tub has its own change room, rinse off shower and bathroom.

Visitors to LandEscape will be able to explore 115 hectares of pristine, scenic farmland over specially designed cycle trails on one of the attraction’s 80-strong fleet of Swiss-made YouMo (Your Mobility) ‘cruiser style’ electric bikes that can be hired for half-day, full-day or multi-day experiences.

The e-bikes are also available for hire anywhere in Wanaka and can be rented from the LandEscape booking office at 11 Brownston Street, Wanaka.

Deaton added “E-bikes are a great way to enjoy the environment here – they are very comfortable, simple to operate and require minimal exertion, which means riders can focus on enjoying the ride and enjoying nature instead of gasping up hills and battling head winds.

“If people want to travel further afield, the whole trail network of the Upper Clutha region awaits just a few hundred metres from our gate.”

Also in the near future, LandEscape will offer simple self-guided stargazing experiences in six strategically located glasshouses and there will also be motorhome parking facilities located on another part of the farm. A 10-bedroom accommodation building is proposed for LandEscape staff and there are plans to incorporate glamping and other accommodation options into the LandEscape experience at a later stage.

Deaton concluded "our dream is that LandEscape will evolve into a vibrant and exciting tourism business, a sustainable community asset and a net energy exporter that also continues permaculture-based farming operations, ultimately avoiding subdivision and urbanisation.

“It will all take shape over several years as the business builds and we hope it will become an attraction that locals and visitors will admire, enjoy and hopefully develop a sense of kinship and pride towards.”

For more information go to landescape-wanaka.nz

Images: A customer riding a You-Mo e-bike at LandEscape Wanaka (top) and LandEscape Wanaka owners Rik and Juliet Deaton with their son Bayne (below).