LandEscape Is Wanaka's New 15-Kilometre Electric Bike Cruise Trail

There's no shortage of things to do in the picturesque lakeside village of Wanaka. Found just one hour's drive from Queenstown over the dramatic Crown Range, a visit to the destination offers everything from snow shoeing to dog sledding, ice driving and gin tasting inside an artisanal distillery.

From the end of November, the region will be home to New Zealand's first collection of renewable energy-focused hot tubs and electric bike cruise trail. LandEscape Wanaka is set over 115 hectares of pristine alpine landscape between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Once complete, the attraction will feature 15 kilometres of purpose-built e-cycle trails, eight outdoor hot tubs boasting spectacular mountain views and six stargazing glasshouses.

LandEscape operator Rik Deaton, who has owned the land for nearly 30 years, says the venture will have a strong focus on renewable energy technologies and sustainability.

"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," he says.

The attraction uses an 80-strong fleet of Swiss-made YouMo (Your Mobility) cruiser-style electric bikes which can be hired for half-day, full-day or multi-day experiences. Elsewhere, the hot tubs, or SpaGazers, are wood-fired and will be filled with alpine water from the on-site spring. Guests will travel to their hot tub by electric shuttle. LandEscape is also set to offer six self-guided stargazing glasshouses.

The first stage of LandEscape is scheduled to be complete towards the end of November. Guests are currently able to book one of two wood-fired hot tubs on the site. Further development – including more hot tubs, accommodation, motorhome parking facilities, a restaurant and bar – is planned for the future.

LandEscape is located at 93 Camp Hill Road, Maungawera — just 12 minutes from Wanaka's town centre. For more information and to book your experience, visit landescape-wanaka.nz.