Luxury Hotel · New Zealand
Wharekauhau Country Estate
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
One of New Zealand’s most distinctive luxury lodges, sitting on a 3,000-acre coastal estate in the Wairarapa with a history stretching back to the 1840s.
Wharekauhau is a beautifully curated retreat where antique furnishings, grand fireplaces, and warm communal spaces create an atmosphere that feels lived in and deeply considered. A formal dining room flows into a country kitchen and sunlit conservatory, with French doors opening onto manicured gardens and a private courtyard.
The food is rooted in the estate itself. Farm-to-table dining draws on the surrounding land, with a kitchen that takes its produce seriously and a dining experience that reflects the property’s long connection to this stretch of New Zealand coastline.
The Foley family have brought a vision focused on community, craft, and heartfelt hospitality that has only deepened over time. For Out Of Office guests seeking a New Zealand experience with real substance, Wharekauhau is hard to look past.
Highlights
- ATV quad biking across 3,000 acres of coastal trails and black sand beaches.
- Martinborough wine country on the doorstep, with vineyard tours and long Pinot Noir lunches.
- Private stargazing from your terrace in one of New Zealand’s certified dark-sky reserves.
Accommodation
Foley Villa
The Foley Villa is Wharekauhau’s most private and expansive accommodation, a 418sqm Hamptons-inspired retreat sleeping up to six guests across three king suites, each with claw-foot baths and Palliser Bay views.
An open-plan lounge with a log-burning fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, heated infinity pool, hot tub, and outdoor fireplace make it ideal for groups or families wanting complete seclusion.
Helicopter access, a private chef option, and full access to lodge facilities round out an exceptional offering.
Cottage Suites
Designed by renowned New Zealand designer Virginia Fischer, the 16 Cottage Suites sit perched above the wild surf of Palliser Bay, each offering 70sqm of thoughtfully crafted space with spectacular ocean views.
Super king beds, a gas fireplace, double spa bath, heated marble floors, and a private ocean-view terrace come as standard, with natural materials throughout including clay tiles, pebble mosaics, and hand-plastered walls.
Interconnecting layouts make them ideal for families or groups wanting privacy without straying far from the main lodge.
Further information
Dining
Dining at Wharekauhau is rooted in the estate itself, with seasonal menus built around estate-grown produce, foraged ingredients, and local artisan suppliers.
A 5,000-bottle cellar focuses on boutique Martinborough and New Zealand wines, with rare tastings available at the Sommelier’s Table featuring Foley Wines and local vintages.
The estate even produces its own Lighthouse Gin, distilled with mountain spring water and native botanicals at the edge of Cape Palliser.
Experiences
Wharekauhau’s experiences range from adrenaline to indulgence, with something genuinely compelling at every level.
ATV quad biking across black sand beaches, guided heritage farm tours, archery, clay target shooting, and e-bike coastal rides cover the adventurous end, while wine lovers are well served with Martinborough vineyard tours, private Sommelier’s Table tastings, and the extraordinary Signature Foley Wine Flight by helicopter across both islands.
Private stargazing, a Chef in the Wild outdoor feast, and the estate’s own Lighthouse Gin tasting round out an exceptional programme.
New Zealand
New Zealand sits in the South Pacific, roughly four hours flying time east of Australia. It comprises two main islands: the North Island, which is warmer, more volcanic, and home to the country’s two largest cities; and the South Island, which holds the fiords, the Southern Alps, the glacier country, and the luxury lodge scene that draws most international visitors.
Our Experts
New Zealand is one of the most magical places in the world. If you love out-of-this-world landscapes, this island nation is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.
Breathtaking landscapes, awe-inspiring environments - New Zealand impresses at every turn. The vibrant Māori culture on display here is also so special.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.