Montrose Estate luxury retreat has opened in New Zealand’s Canterbury high country.

The new alpine retreat is located on the Rakaia river at the foot of the Southern Alps.

Montrose’s three luxury self-contained homes sit on 260 hectares in a private valley beside a five-hectare spring-fed lake with two kilometres of Rakaia river frontage. The estate is one hour’s drive or a short helicopter journey from Christchurch Airport, and 10 minutes’ drive from Methven township.

Montrose Estate can accommodate from two to 20 people in style, with spa baths, open fire places and free WiFi and Sky TV.

Hoturoa, the owners’ retreat, is an elegant, modern four-bedroom home with two living rooms and two bathrooms.

Paewaka, the original house, is a beautiful two-storey, three-bedroom wood and stone dwelling.

The chalet Teata, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, is nestled in native bush by a stream.

All properties are private and overlook the lake and Rakaia river.

Montrose is managed by husband and wife team Robert and Jane Lavery, who have lived on the Rakaia for over 20 years and are passionate and knowledgeable about every aspect of the estate.

The pristine waters of Montrose are helping to increase and protect fish stocks in this area. Montrose’s owners work with New Zealand Fish and Game to breed over one million salmon, rainbow and brown trout annually in their onsite hatchery, which are then released into the Rakaia River and surrounding alpine lakes.

Montrose Estate is located at 592 Blackford Road, Mount Hutt, New Zealand.