Lake Hawea Art Retreat

10,000 Merino sheep 16,500 acres 28,700 Native trees planted 7000 mt Lake front

Explore Create Connect Relax

A Creative Escape Designed Around You

Every Art Adventures NZ retreat is individually planned, allowing us to create a unique experience that reflects your interests, group size and preferred level of adventure.

Whether you are seeking a peaceful painting holiday, a private small group experience with friends, a corporate wellbeing retreat or an artist's immersion in nature, we work with carefully selected accommodation partners throughout the Southern Lakes region. Retreats are typically available as 2 or 3 day experiences. with the option to add extra days of Art Adventures, relaxing or local experiences.

Escape the pace of everyday life and immerse yourself in a multi-day creative retreat where art, nature, adventure and discovery come together in one of New Zealand's most inspiring landscapes. Stay in beautiful accomodation surrounded by mountains, wide open landscapes. Spending time at carefully selected locations on the land with fully immersed creative sessions and options for numerous Hawea station farm experiences.

Each retreat experience combines a a deep dive into knowledge and history of the landscape, which gives you a strong connection of place and environment. Followed by guided sketching and painting with explorations into high mountains, old forests, alpine rivers and conservation areas with mirrored lake reflections. Designed for artists of all experience levels, these bespoke experiences offer time to slow down, develop your creative practice, connect with nature and enjoy the hospitality of some of the South Island's most remarkable locations. Every retreat is thoughtfully tailored to the guests.

What You Can Expect


- 3 nights in the award winning Condé Nast Gold accredited Homespur or Packhorse Cottage

- Full day Station experience with Richie - Lake Hāwea Station’s resident wildlife biologist and expert nature interpreter. On animal welfare, biodiversity, regenerative pastures and carbon sequestration on the farm.

- Art Adventure sessions of guided sketching and painting en plein-air out in the open with your preferred medium, Watercolours- Acrylics - Oils. Suitable for beginners through to experienced artists, led by professional artist and tutor of 15 yrs, Raquel Carter, who encourages individual style, while building knowledge on technique and observation of nature.

- Connection to the environment is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the journey of slowing down as from the painting process itself. Our retreats prioritise creativity along with comfort and connection with nature.

- Exclusive access to the 17,000 acre Climate Positive, B Corp certified Lake Hāwea Station

- Gourmet, chef prepared, locally sourced and foraged meals. Dietary needs provided fo

- Opportunities for photography towards , sketching, painting and creative exploration

- All plein air art materials, tools and easels provided including complimentary moleskin watercolour sketching kit and travel packaging for any paintings created.

Retreats can be designed to your needs, allowing each retreat experience to be designed to the seasons, weather and your group's core interests, dietary requirements and leisure.

Art Retreats at Lake Hawea station

4 day + 3 night luxury accomodation start at :

$ 12, 800 NZD

With extra night stay and experience options available.

For more information or bookings available here:

Lake Hawea Station Art Retreat

A Retreat for Every Creative Spirit.

Our multi-day art retreats are designed for solo travellers, couples, friends, families, creative beginners, practising artists, nature lovers and international visitors seeking an authentic New Zealand experience. No previous drawing or painting experience is required—just a sense of curiosity and a love of nature. Each retreat is guided by Raquel Carter, a professional artist and tutor with years of experience - exploring the hidden valleys, mountain landscapes, rivers and forests of New Zealand's Southern Lakes. More than a holiday, Art Adventures and Lake Hawea station offers the opportunity to slow down, feel and see the landscape with fresh eyes. Learn all about the detail of an award winning Merino station and create lasting memories through meaningful experiences, with expert guidance for every interest and experience level with genuine local hospitality including garden to table meals and luxury accomodation.

Book Your Retreat

Register interest

How It Works

  • Choose whether you would like to have one day of Art Adventure or 2 days mixed in with some wonderful local experiences. Or perhaps a little more.

  • By sending us through an email with what your large or small group needs, we can look at the dates and details and get back to you with an answer on your queries.

  • After reviewing the booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—any detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.

  • We'd recommend booking your flights to Queenstown as soon as you have decided on joining us, so as to get the best deals. We suggest you arrive even 1 day before and enjoy a night in Queenstown to allow for any delays. We can then pick you up with comfortable transportation to and from the accomodation to ensure you can arrive with ease for your Art adventure.

  • Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your new adventure. Feel free to send us any questions about Queenstown or weather expectations to help with your packing.