Oasis Yurt Lodge Wanaka: Our Review of This Unique Stay

What is a Yurt?

You might be thinking...Oasis Yurts...what the heck is a yurt? The word "yurt" is the Russian translation for what people in Mongolia call a home or dwelling.

Mongolians have lived in yurts for thousands of years, especially nomadic people (90% of the rural population in Mongolia today still live in yurts!). They take between 30 minutes and a few hours to set up and can sleep up to several people.

Generally, there is a dome for a roof, and a fireplace with a chimney that sticks out from the top of it. The circular shape of the building allows it to be cooled and heated quickly and efficiently.

While yurts are practical and portable, they're ideal for temporary stays in New Zealand, too. These ones are here to stay and provide a permanent shelter for temporarily nomadic visitors like ourselves.

It's a way to experience glamping in New Zealand; it's far more luxurious than camping because you have a comfortable bed and it doesn't require any setting up on your part. Even still, we stepped outside our front door and gazed up at the stars at night.

These huts are closer to the great outdoors than traditional hotel rooms. It's very quiet and calm throughout the day and night. Oasis Yurts is one of the best places to stay in Wanaka for nature lovers.

Oasis Yurt Lodge Wanaka: Welcome to our Yurt!

If you're looking for where to stay in Wanaka, let me give you the grand tour of our yurt. Our yurt, Toitoi, is a six meter yurt that sleeps up to four guests.

There are two queen beds in Toitoi, so it was quite spacious for just the two of us. The yurts have two windows to allow the sunshine in, but you can seal them up for complete darkness at night. 

I love the style of the yurt; the cross-hatched wood throughout with the domed ceiling is astonishing. This unique accommodation in Wanaka is more luxurious than typical glamping in New Zealand.

Every yurt has power and lighting, so we were able to charge and use our electronic devices. The beds are very comfortable with linens for a cozy and restful night's sleep.

There were extra blankets in case we got cold, as well as a wood burning stove (winter only). There's even a modern Dyson fan for the spring and summer months to allow cool air to flow throughout the yurt (it also doubles as a heater). We ran the fan a little bit during the day, but we didn't need it at night.

There's also a seating area, a coat rack, mirror, hair dryer, and towels in every room. In addition, two of the yurts (Mankua & Matai) are fully accessible and sleep up to five people. There are also five metre yurts (Kanuka & Kowhai) for two people. 

Communal Spaces at Oasis Yurt Lodge

You might be wondering...where is the bathroom in the yurt? There is a communal building called the Oasis Lodge with a bathroom, shower, and kitchen.

The Bathrooms

If the notion of sharing a bathroom freaks you out, don't worry. There are three bathrooms; two of them have showers.

The yurts were all booked up when we stayed there, and we didn't encounter any situations where we had to wait to use the bathroom or shower.

The bathrooms and showers are very modern and clean. The showers have excellent water pressure, and the water was always hot enough. There's eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner, and body wash available in each bathroom for guests.

It wasn't an issue to take a very short walk to the Oasis Lodge to use the bathroom or dining space. Furthermore, there is a washing machine and dryer in case you need to get some laundry done.

The Kitchen

The Oasis Lodge building is absolutely stunning. There are high ceilings and exposed beams using wood from New Zealand. The kitchen is massive.

There are multiple sinks, refrigerators, and ovens with a huge variety of cookware, pots, pans, dishes. You name it, it's in this kitchen.

There's a kettle, a French press coffee maker, and complimentary coffee and tea. Feel free to also use the barbecue outdoors. There is a space inside each fridge made just for the guests of each yurt.

There are long wooden tables with benches for dining, even spacious enough for every guest to gather at the same time. The Oasis Lodge serves as a central communal living space where guests are encouraged to meet and share stories.

All in all, the kitchen space is incredibly organized for visitors, and you're made to feel right at home here. You can tell that the kitchen was constructed by a food lover because it's so well stocked with so much counter space.

If you're looking for where to stay in Wanaka and you adore cooking your own meals as you travel, Oasis Yurts is the ideal accommodation for you. Even if you don't like cooking, feel free to order meals as takeaway and enjoy them in this common space.

We brought back some tacos one evening and ate them there. Check out our guide to dining vegan in Wanaka for more details!

Yurts Not Your Thing?

If you don't think you're ready to stay in this unique accommodation in Wanaka NZ, there's also another little house called The Shed Guesthouse on the property. The Shed holiday cottage is a traditional cabin for a more conventional overnight stay.

There are two ensuite queen rooms, so it's great for the whole family. The Shed has its own lounge and kitchenette space where you can spend time with your family or group of friends.

Even as someone who fancies a luxurious stay, I'm very partial to sleeping in the yurt. It's not every day that you get to experience something that strays from the typical hotel stay.

However, if you'd love to experience the property itself but you're looking for a cottage or cabin, The Shed is the option for you.

The Staff

Jo and Rusty are an adventurous couple who own Oasis Yurt Lodge in Wanaka. Their staff members are so warm and welcoming. Justin and I felt right at home throughout our two nights in Wanaka.

We were originally planning to only stay in Wanaka for one night, but Jo convinced us to take two nights for the region. This was such an excellent idea, and I'm so happy that she suggested it.

By the time we drove from Queenstown to Wanaka, making little stops along the way, it was already late afternoon. We took the entire next day to explore the Lake Wanaka region, and it was more laid back to have a second night at Oasis Yurts.

The Location

Oasis Yurt Lodge isn't in the middle of Wanaka; it's just on the outskirts of town. You'll ideally have your own car or van if you're spending the night here.

We suggest renting a car in New Zealand to take an amazing road trip at your own pace. Compare rental car prices here.

While we needed to drive or ride a bike into town, we loved the location of Oasis Yurts. It was great to be away from the city lights.

The natural surrounding was such a wonderful break from what we experience on a daily basis, living on a busy street at home. The stars twinkled brightly in the night sky.

We could listen to the sounds of the gentle breeze without any distractions or noises. The large, grassy lawn is perfect for stretching on a yoga mat or even reading a book.

Relax in this tranquil setting however you wish. The location of Oasis Yurts makes it my first choice for where to stay in Wanaka.

Justin and I wished we could have stayed even longer at Oasis Yurt Lodge. This luxurious yurt combines modern amenities with a peaceful environment, along with spectacular views at the gateway to the Southern Alps.

Unwind in style at Oasis Yurt Lodge for marvelous memories that will last a lifetime. If you're looking for where to stay in Wanaka, this is our #1 recommendation. We can't wait to someday return to Oasis Yurts in the future. 

Looking for more ideas for what to do in Wanaka? These day trips from Queenstown can also be day trips from Wanaka.

We enjoyed visiting the nearby destination, Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town. Justin and I also went for a little walk around Lake Hayes, just outside of Queenstown, which was lovely.