Apartment

The Waiau Retreat

Photo gallery for The Waiau Retreat

A dining table with food and drinks, a person seated, and a scenic view of a lake and mountains.
A rustic wooden interior with high ceilings and exposed beams, featuring wooden tables and benches, a lantern, and a window with a colorful frame.
Exterior
A compact kitchen with white cabinets, a microwave, a coffee maker, and a world map on the wall.
A bedroom with a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, and a wall decoration.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Lake Manapouri

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Toys
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View map
Manapouri, Southland
  • Place, Lake Manapouri
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Te Wahipounamu
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Frasers Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden

Add dates for prices

Similar properties

Private kitchen
Lake View Weekend Getaway
Te Anau
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (36 reviews)
Lake View Weekend Getaway

About the area

Manapouri

Manapouri is home to this apartment. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Fiordland Cinema, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Te Wahipounamu and Ivon Wilson Park.
View more Apartments in ManapouriOpens in a new window
Map
Manapouri, Southland

What's nearby

  • Lake Manapouri - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Te Wahipounamu - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Frasers Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Lake Te Anau - 19 min drive - 22.7 km
  • Kepler Track - 24 min drive - 25.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Manapouri Cafe & Dairy - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Church Manapouri - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪mexican bay - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Waiau Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Waiau Retreat ?

As of 7 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Waiau Retreat on 10 March 2027 start from NZ$598, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Waiau Retreat ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Waiau Retreat ?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Waiau Retreat ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Waiau Retreat located?

Situated in Manapouri, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Te Wahipounamu, Lake Manapouri and Frasers Beach. Ivon Wilson Park and Ivon Wilson Scenic Reserve are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 50 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot, close to Te Anau and easy drive to Milford Sound. Clean and easy to access, thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great location, hadceverything we needed to have a lovely stay. Would book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Great to have laundry amenities handy and a few kitchen essentials on hand
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The large bathroom was great. Also, so close to the lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy place! Perfect location for anyone doing the Doubtful Sound cruise.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay by the lake, very comfortable and had everything we needed. The hosts were there to welcome us when we arrived which was nice. Great to have laundry after camping!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Spacious, clean, quiet. Great amenities in kitchen for cooking meals.
Quiet spot with dramatic views a few steps out of lake Manapouri and amazing starlit sky!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Lovely stay and great location for doubtful sound cruise with a short walk to the marina. Heat pump unfortunately had an intermittent fault during our stay but a spare blow heater was available.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location for a base for exploring the region.

A great little flat for us to explore the region.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 January 2023
Thanks for your review Natalie ☺️
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Manapouri stay

We had an enjoyable stay thank you .
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent communication with Geraldine. We had all we needed :) lovely accommodation and so close to Lake Manapouri
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We had a lovely warm time here everything was immaculate and near to local cafe and restaurant and tour base. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was terrific. The Park was stunningly beautiful.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This accomodations was the perfect size for my family of three. Geraldine left some toys for us, which were great for our toddler. It's location was also great, just across the road from the lake!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 December 2025
Thanks so much for your awesome review 😀
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely

Lovely place and right near the lake, really enjoyed our stay there.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great property in a cute small town. It is really close to the Doubtful Sound boat cruise launch and only 20ish minutes from Te Anau. Clean and well maintained apartment with good amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great little town

Really enjoyed our time in Manapouri. The Church Pub was a great place to sit and soak up the sun while surrounded by mountains.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 21 November 2024
Thanks Ian great energy in the mountains we love staying up there to. Regards Geraldine 😊
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a beautiful unit with everything we needed. Quiet, close to a cafe, great to access tours and sights, and Milford sound was amazing! I loved the decor, comfy bed, and I’d come back if we lived in this gorgeous country!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 December 2025
Thanks for your wonderful review Kathy so pleased you enjoyed your stay. Regards Geraldine 😀
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing downtime

The stay was lovely with a great location, close to the lakes edge with an inviting trail teasing you to go for a run.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Quiet, east to access, new, great facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Manapouri

A great quiet place to stay
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Manapouri

Fabulous place to stay ☺
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing home base for adventure

This was the nicest flat we stayed in during our time in New Zealand! From the comfortable bed, to nice kitchen and easy access to so many beautiful destinations—it was the best! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 February 2023
Thank you so much for your beautiful review much appreciated pleased you enjoyed your stay 😊
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Fiordland stay

Perfect little stay for access to the Fiords. Clean, comfortable and well equipped unit. Highly reccomend
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything you need

Clean and well appointed. Would definitely stay again
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback