
Cottage vacation rentals in South Island
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Top-rated cottage rentals in South Island
Guests agree: these cottages are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.

Cricklewood Farmstay, Alpaca walk and hot tub
Just under 10 minutes from Fairlie, 40 min from Lake Tekapo and only 1.5 hr from MT Cook, is our super cute historic Farmers cottage. Watch and pet our friendly animals from the cottage and experience some of the best star gazing in New Zealand from our beautiful hot tub. During your stay we offer a free animal tour of 1 hour, whereby you will visit some of our friendly animals incl bottle feeding our pet lambs (Aug-Dec), an Alpaca walk 🦙, and our friendly horses, cats, dogs and chickens 🥰

Beautiful cottage with mountain and sea views
Watch the sunset over the Tasman Sea from the deck of this beautiful character cottage, or walk out the door directly across to the beach, with stunning views back to the Southern Alps. Enjoy the peace and beauty of the Ōkārito Lagoon, surrounding National Park, native forest walks and bird life, including tui, kōtuku (white heron) and kiwi. Listen to the sound of the sea & the call of ruru NZ's native morepork owl. High quality linen, towels, Free Wi-Fi, fridge/freezer, tea and coffee included.

Moonlight Cottage; Private, luxury & romantic
Cosy, stylish, quiet, private & romantic. King bed with gorgeous elevated views, luxe linen, projector with Netflix via your device & unlimited fast wifi. Purpose built, luxurious, thoughtfully & architecturally designed, & a short drive down town. AirCon/ ceiling fan keeps you cool in summer. Wood fire for cosy romantic winter nights. Full kitchen, fridge/ freezer, dishwasher, oven, 4 burner induction cook top, pantry essentials & BBQ. Washing machine & tiled bathroom. Designed for a couple.

Stargazer’s Luxury Retreat - Lake Tekapo
For those who fancy a luxury escape; Stargaze the Milky Way from your own luxury outdoor bath, then come inside to a toasty warm fire. Enjoy the comfort of a king size bed with luxury linen, looking directly through to the lake and mountains beyond. In the bathroom, relax in our freestanding bath or enjoy a rain shower for two. Take in unobstructed views of the lake and mountains from your lounge room by day, and cosy up on the couch or wool beanbag for a movie at night. This is paradise.

The Cottage at WildEarthLodge
Our charming cottage looks directly into the incredible Wilkin valley. This is a truly special private sanctuary in the wilderness for one to two people. From this fully self contained space you can explore the Mt Aspiring National park, Blue Pools, Isthmus Peak, Haast, Wanaka and Hawea. Settle in by the fire on the most comfortable couch and enjoy the view, the serenity and beauty of this place. Soak in the outdoor bath to star gaze on clear nights. The Cottage is an adults only space.

Lakeview Cottage with Spa Pool
Located on the edge of sprawling valley farmland with views of glistening Lake Mapourika, towering mountains and rainforest at the base of the New Zealand Southern Alps. Unwind in nature's embrace. Sink into an outdoor bean bag on the expansive lawn or take a long soak in the large spa pool whilst taking in the panoramic views and sensational sunsets! You are welcome to pick from the herb garden for your cooking. The cottage is located a 5-minute drive from Franz Josef Glacier township.

Place for 2 with a sea view 1 Bedroom / W/ Hot Tub
Take it easy at this unique and tranquil getaway. Spectacular elevated views will greet you on arrival, inviting you into our piece of paradise. This one-bedroom luxury getaway is a private, warm, and relaxing place to unwind. Surrounded by native bush and oceanic views over the Tasman, it's a perfect getaway to absorb the beauty of the West Coast and everything it has to offer. The stunning coast road is right at your doorstep and is regarded as one of the top 10 drives in the world.

Okari Cottage
Sunny private retreat with stunning coastal views . Look out to the waves from your bed with a deserted beach at the end of the driveway. Explore the local area beaches, surfing , river, seal colony and the Cape Foulwind walkway all within 2km . Good cell phone reception and wireless internet. The Cottage is very private, brand new and 50m from the main house. Full kitchen facilities with dishwasher and deck with BBQ and outside fire brazier. Smart TV with Netflix for lazy days.

The Daughter's Anchorage · Historic Cottage
You will love staying at this upscale historical port cottage with gorgeous harbour views. Unwind in style and enjoy the always changing vista of the picturesque port, harbour, and banks peninsula hills - perfect for a luxe Christchurch escape. Recognized in the Top 1% of Guest Favorite homes worldwide. Featured in Stay Awhile Magazine (2025) and the 'Find the Perfect Place' YouTube series. To see our latest updates & local Lyttelton highlights, search @the_daughters_anchorage.

Stargazing & Hot Tub – Near Mt Cook & Tekapo!
The perfect place for people who love a peaceful countryside location with starry skies and beautiful views. Wake up to peace, quiet & birdsong, not traffic! Our cottage is on a tranquil 10-acre property in a dark sky reserve, and has amazing mountain views. It’s 17km from the town of Twizel, and offers both privacy & modern comforts. Visit Tekapo or Mt Cook then relax in a wood-fired hot tub under the stars. Very safe location. 50 mins to Mt Cook/Tekapo. 2.5 hrs to Queenstown.

Black's Hut - Lakefront Cottage
Black's Hut sits on the shores of Lake Te Anau with expansive uninterrupted views of Fiordland. Built in 2022 with quality fixtures and furnishings, entertainment system and hot tub. Excellent unlimited wifi. Black's Hut has been specifically set up to accommodate adults with two separate bedrooms and bathrooms. Extremely private with extensive plantings. Bike track and reserve between the cottage and lake. Just a 15 minute walk along the lakefront to shops and cafes.

Lake View Earth Cottage
Lake View Earth Cottage sits 134 metres above Hawea township and overlooks Lake Hāwea and surrounding mountains with world-class 180° views. The hand-crafted earth home is nestled in native New Zealand bush and has rustic wooden beams throughout. The house comprises an open-plan living and dining area and outdoor dining, with spectacular views of the lake and mountains. Located up a rural gravel road, hidden away from suburban areas, the home is bound to make you say WOW.
Popular amenities for South Island cottage rentals
Cottage rentals with a hot tub

Private Cottage with Spa & Amazing Lake Views

Brookhaven cottage with Luxury Outdoor Tub

Catlins Coastal Hideaway, The Catlins, South Otago

Rollesby

Harbourside Studio Apartment 'seven'

Teapot Cottage - a step back in time

Te Mahuru: Two-Bedroom Cottage with Hot Tubs

Kepler Mountain View Alpaca Cottage
Pet-friendly cottage rentals

Garden Cottage

Chrystalls Beach

Snowshoe Cottage. Alpine Lake and Mountain views

Uninterrupted ocean views - private beach access

Queensberry cottage

Tui Cottage-Waterfront cottage, Waikawa Bay/Picton

Wander Lodge - Cosy cottage in the forest.

Character Harbour Retreat
Private cottage rentals

Karaka at The Apple Pickers' Cottages

Replenishing Retreat - 450m from Pancake Rocks.

Steeples Cottage, with Ocean Views

Cosy Cottage Overlooking Lake Pukaki

Okarito Cottage - Tigh Na Mara

Heart of Gold in Gibbston Valley

Quail Run Cottage, a world away from ordinary!

The Herb Farm Cottage - An Idyllic Rustic Retreat
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