When Queenstown seems too busy, the owners of this house point their car east. And who can blame them? What awaits is this light, spacious, cosy three-bedroom home in the sleepy Central Otago settlement. It’s always a welcome change, no matter the season or weather. With underfloor heating, radiators in every room and a heat pump, there’s no chance of getting cold. A gas fire in the family room creates more warmth and the perfect cosy ambience in which to enjoy a Central Otago pinot noir and a chat in the evening. As well as the main hallway, charcoal-coloured paths and a patio connect the main living hub to the entertaining part of the house – a lounge with a large TV with surround sound. Anyone for the rugby? Grooved ply fitted to the family room’s cathedral ceiling adds a touch of real character. The kitchen has a scullery with its own sink and is decked out in chic black and white. So, too, are the two elegant bathrooms. This house, which lets the owners enjoy a quiet escape but doesn’t deprive them of any amenities, truly is a home away from home.