Frequently Asked Questions

  • Open Country offers a more thoughtful way to experience New Zealand’s South Island.

    While we can arrange many of the region’s well-known experiences — from luxury lodges and heli access to food, wine, and adventure — what matters most to us is how everything comes together. The pacing, atmosphere, detail, and sense of ease are often what make a trip memorable.

    Every experience is designed privately around your interests, energy, and style of travel. Some clients are looking for time to properly slow down, others want access to places and experiences they would never find on their own. Most want a balance of both.

    We take a considered approach to travel design, combining distinctive stays, local insight, understated luxury, and carefully chosen experiences to create time in the South Island that feels personal, effortless, and genuinely well spen

  • We design experiences that feel considered, personal, and well paced rather than traditionally “luxury” in the obvious sense.

    For some clients, that may include remote lodges, private access, or exceptional dining. For others, it’s more about privacy, atmosphere, beautiful spaces, and having the right balance between structure and spontaneity.

    The common thread is thoughtful travel that feels easy, personal, and genuinely enjoyable to be part of.

  • Absolutely.

    From heli experiences and private wine touring to alpine stays, boating, hiking, and family activities, we can arrange many of the South Island’s most sought-after experiences.

    What makes Open Country different is how we shape everything around them — balancing pace, atmosphere, hidden places, and thoughtful detail so the overall experience feels seamless rather than overplanned.

  • Most of our clients value thoughtful travel, good design, memorable places, and a more relaxed rhythm.

    We often work with couples, founders, creatives, families, and busy professionals looking for a more personal and carefully considered way to experience New Zealand.

  • Yes.

    Every Open Country experience is designed privately around your interests, travel style, pace, and preferences.

    Some clients prefer slower days with beautiful stays and long lunches. Others want a balance of adventure, food, nature, and local experiences. Our role is to shape the experience around what feels right for you.

  • We recommend reaching out several months ahead where possible, especially during the South Island’s peak summer and winter seasons.

    That said, we can also assist with shorter lead times depending on availability and the style of experience you’re looking for.

  • Definitely.

    Many clients come to us with only a timeframe or a feeling for how they want the trip to feel.

    We’ll guide the process from there — helping shape the right pace, locations, experiences, and overall flow based on how you naturally like to travel.

  • The South Island is our speciality and where our local knowledge, relationships, and perspective are most deeply rooted.

    We believe focusing carefully on one part of the world allows us to create more personal, thoughtful, and distinctive experiences than trying to cover everything.

  • Because we focus just as much on rhythm and atmosphere as we do on logistics.

    The places you stay, the way the days flow, the balance between activity and downtime, the people you meet, the spaces you spend time in — these details often shape how a trip is remembered.

    That’s where we spend our attention.