As beautiful as it is, this is also the time for us to look forward to Easter 2012 and the spectacular Warbirds over Wanaka airshow announced for Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April.

The new Warbirds & Wheels visitor attraction will be be open during the show which includes the recently announced display of one of the skyhawks – http://www.voxy.co.nz/lifestyle/skyhawk-wanaka/5/94862

This week local news also announced a fly past of up to 40 privately-owned jet aircraft  sometime during the show as part of the Hong Kong to Christchurch Silver Fern Air Race.

Maple Lodge is the ideal location to attend this fantastic event. Maple Lodge is located approximately 4km from Wanaka Airport. See our website (www.maplelodgewanaka.co.nz ) for Rates and Reservations.

Jess and Dan had a stunning day for their wedding ceremony & reception at Maple Lodge on 19 March. The maple trees turned on their fabulous Autumn display and the day  was perfectly sunny and calm. With 20 guests it was the perfect intimate celebration with their family and friends.

See more of Jess & Dan’s Wedding photos on Flickr

Wanaka Catering provided fabulous food, Bev Clark acted as celebrant and Rachel Callander captured beautiful memories as their photographer.

See here for more information on holding your Wanaka Wedding at Maple Lodge.

March has arrived with the first signs of autumn appearing everywhere.

The leaves on the maple trees at Maple Lodge Wanaka are starting to turn into their beautiful autumn colours with a range of reds, oranges and yellows creating a stunning cloak to welcome in the autumn season.

The days are still bright and sunny in Wanaka where autumn is one of the best seasons for awesome photographs and offers great weather for hiking the many walking tracks in the area.

Events in autumn in Wanaka:

11 & 12 March 2011: Upper Clutha A&P Show, Wanaka Show Grounds

12-17 April 2011: Festival of Colour

Check out our website for autumn deals

See more Autumn photos on Flickr

Try a Romantic Break for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in a variety of ways across the world. In Italy, romantic songs and poems are the theme of the day. Whereas in many other European countries, USA, Canada, Australia and NZ  lovers exchange cards and more often these days, romantic gifts such as jewellery, chocolate and flowers.

Wanaka has been listed in the Time Life’s Top 10 Most Romantic Places. So why not suprise your lover to a romantic Valentine break.

Maple Lodge Wanaka will make your Valentine night extra special with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate.

Book a stay on 14^th February 2011 and mention this article to  receive your sparkling wine (valid only for bookings for 14 February 2011).

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Landing & Thai Siam Resturants

See the new page on our blog which is our guide to restaurants in Wanaka, New Zealand based on the experiences of ourselves and our guests.

You can also view this guide on New Zealand. com  http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about/lake-wanaka/article/wanaka-restaurant-guide

CIMG0771 U-Fly

Originally uploaded by Maple Lodge Wanaka

Both Paul & Berny from Maple Lodge Wanaka had a fantastic time with Ruth from U-FLy with a trip over Lake Wanaka. It is an awesome way to see the lake and its surrounding area and you get to fly the plane!

The small Tecnam plane flies low over the lake so you get to see everything below you in great detail and if you just want to sit back and enjoy the ride that;s ok too.

Great value and you can also have a DVD of the experience.

See more photos from this trip here…

We left Wanaka and flew out over the Lake Wanaka after passing over Maple Lodge – it was great to see it fromthe air.

Mt Aspiring from the air

As we flew out over Wanaka we passed Treble Cone ski field and had fabulous views all over Mt Aspiring National Park. Lake Wanaka is the gateway to the National Park where there are many tramps available to the more energetic holiday maker. The 3-4 hour walk to Rob Roy Glacier is a very popular choice of travellers to Wanaka – there are not many places where you can take a short walk and be up close and personal with a glacier.

See photos of my trip in Flickr

Maple Lodge Wanaka is fortunate to be on the doorstep of New Zealand’s fabulous fruit growing region. We have just seen winter through with a huge variety of apples such as Braeburn and Jazz. And porridge always tastes divine when made with the poaching liquid from winter pears.

But, it is the summer and autumn fruits which are our favourites. Maple Lodge Wanaka guests are treated to an array of fresh strawberries, raspberries, apricots, nectarines, greengages, plums and of course cherries. And, when everything is plentiful supply we make jam to see us through the other months of the year.

Why not book your next stay at  Maple Lodge Wanaka and enjoy our gourmet a la carte breakfast featuring local fruit and homemade jams.

Pillows for a princess

We know we have great beds and it seems we have great pillows too. See Tanya Enberg’s review via Princess and the pillow.

Visit our website to make your booking for a great night’s sleep – www.maplelodgewanaka.co.nz