Luxury Villa Private Island

Dolphins playfully pursue the boat, which sails out through the glass smooth waters of the Marlborough Sound.

They swim very close to the boat. Even the whales can be heard. On the rocks, a seal colony cause commotion. Now, there is silence - nothing can be heard apart from the gentle sound of the motor of the boat.

Forsyth Island (2100 acres) is one of the largest entirely privately owned islands in the South Pacific. It is situated in the world famous Marlborough Sound and only 15 minutes by helicopter from New Zealand’s capital Wellington. The island is one of the highest-elevated privately owned islands with peaks that reach 1100 feet. The views from the peaks of the island are breathtaking, with views of the Marlborough Sound, the outskirts of Wellington and of numerous other islands. The wonderful and unique area has one of the best records for sunshine in New Zealand and the water is warm and clear in the summer. Forsyth Island has 20 miles of ocean frontage and 30 miles of walking and hiking trails. It has 2 telephone lines, electricity lines, a major wharf, a farmhouse, and sheep shearer quarters.

The mountains on the island ascend gently; those brave enough to scale its 335 m high peaks are rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view. Hikers, who let themselves go on the 48 km hiking trails, can leave their mosquito spray at home - on Forsyth there are no mosquitoes nor poisonous animals. Instead, fluffy cashmere goats graze on the island and are sheared in the hut by the beach.

However, there are those of us who are not among the hiking enthusiasts - of this, they are well aware of Lodge 7510. Lodge 7510 has just been completed on a 450 ft elevated bluff 2 miles away from the wharf development. This lodge enjoys a view of the ocean, the neighboring islands, the hills, and the slopes and beaches of Forsyth Island. The lodge is the very hub of the island. High over the docking site, in the cozy, unpretentious wooden lodge, everything possible is done to make the guests feel comfortable.

The lodge consists of 3 bedrooms with generous, well designed en suite facilities, a kitchen, a dining room, a living room with cathedral ceilings, and a roofed deck circling almost the entire lodge. The architect and constructor was David Campbell from a well reputed company in Blenheim, New Zealand. This lodge has recently received an award as the best island lodge built on a privately owned island with outstanding price-quality-size ratio. The living space of the lodge is 2500 square feet.

The impressive cuisine is certainly to be praised. Here the guests will be greeted by cuisine from the fruits of the sea, traditional menus to your liking, fruit from the island garden, and an excellent selection of the finest New Zealand wines from the well-known vineyards of Blenheim. The guests may choose between full board (the caretaker couple prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner) or self-catering, in which case the caretakers provide the requested provisions. Of course, there is also the boat, with which fishermen and fisherwomen can pursue their hobby. The catch of the day can then be tastefully served on the table for supper.

Here you will be greeted by cuisine from the fruit of the sea, traditional menus to your liking, citrus fruit from the island garden and an excellent selection of the finest New Zealand wines from the well known vineyards of Blenheim. Guests may choose full board (the caretaker couple prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner) or self catering– the caretakers provide the requested provisions.

There are many possibilities on Forsyth Island: boat tours, fishing trips, various water sports including swimming, kayaking and surfing – the waters surrounding the island are warm and clear in summer. Whale and dolphin watching, hiking through the numerous island paths, spectacular flora and fauna – what more can one ask for!

The most beautiful spot must be on the roofed terrace surrounding the lodge. Here you can observe the sunset and the vast ocean, which is best uncovered upclose in a kayak. The guests also have the advantage of: the island Jeep, 4 wheel drive cross-country motorbikes, mountain bikes for cycling trips, sea kayaks complete with full equipment, and a professional telescope for the astronomy enthusiasts. In fact, New Zealand offers astrologists the very best conditions due to its clean air and lack of industrial pollution.

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