Just over an hour from Ashburton, Mt Potts Lodge is a hidden gem in the crown of Mid Canterbury.

Nestled beneath the ruggedly beautiful Potts Range, the lodge provides the perfect place to unwind and get away from it all.

"When you get to the top of the hill, it's this big wide vista that just blows you away," lodge manager Jen Hussey says. "It surprises people how it's such a wide open space with beautiful braided rivers."

Hussey, who runs Mt Potts Station with husband Scott, recently took over management of the lodge and is looking forward to sharing the spectacular location with guests.

"It's a magical place; it's just beautiful," Hussey said.

Located along what has been voted the third most scenic road in New Zealand, Mt Potts Lodge offers accommodation, a restaurant and activities such as hiking, fishing and horse riding.

Accommodation is comfortable and cosy, with options for families, corporate events or romantic getaways for couples.

Two houses, Silver Birch Cottage and Stag Hill Cottage, provide fully self-contained options that are perfect for families or groups.

The lodge's flagship accommodation is seven semi-self-contained hotel-style studios.

Each studio has underfloor heating to keep guests warm on crisp winter nights and a deck that allows spectacular high-country views of the Two Thumb Mountain range.

Rustic bunkrooms provide a comfortable but affordable third option for guests, and powered and unpowered campsites are also available for those wanting a truly outdoor escape.

All power for Mt Potts Lodge is generated by a hydroelectric station on the property.

There is plenty for guests to see and do during their stay.

Mount Sunday, a 40-minute walk or five-minute drive from the lodge, is a popular attraction for Lord of the Rings fans, with the rocky outcrop being the filming location for Edoras in the movie.

The pristine Ashburton Lakes are a short ten-minute drive from the lodge, and the Rangitata River is a dream for keen fishermen looking to catch trout.

The landscape is well suited to horse riding, with horses available to ride at the lodge or for guests to bring their own.

For those more interested in hiking, guests can take in the landscape on foot, with trails up Mount Potts, Mount Sunday, or the Ashburton Lakes.

The lodge is also a popular spot for keen photographers with its dramatic light and panoramic views.

Night skies are crystal clear, with no light pollution, meaning photographers are not limited to snapping images during the day but can also capture the stars over the mountain ranges after dark.

The original Mt Potts woolshed was converted into a cozy and rustic lodge in the 1960s.

It now operates as a restaurant and bar open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

"People walk up Mount Sunday, then they can come back and have coffee and cake or a meal. We offer breakfast for those up early to watch the sunrise," Hussey said.

The lodge restaurant also takes bookings for weddings, corporate functions, and special events such as Mid-Winter Christmas dinners.

The menu is created with locally sourced ingredients, and as well as enjoying a tasty meal, guests can enjoy the heat from the roaring pot belly stove, play a game of pool or watch the rugby on the big screen television.

"It's a majestic place, especially in winter when it snows; it's incredible.

"It feels like you are the only one here, and you are so far away from everything when, in reality, you're not."

by Claire Inkson