Ohau and Lake Ohau are definitely a well kept NZ secret! The water looks amazing in the lake, the sunsets are fantastic, the dark skies and (if you're lucky) the countless stars on a clear night are incredible! We had some unfortunate luck with the weather and only ever had patches of clear skies but what we could see was brilliant! There are so many stars!!
The Brown House is really well done up, it's extremely comfortable and cozy and Janet is a wonderful host, responding quickly as well. As a vacation home, it doesn't get the kind of TLC a lived-in house would of course, but it's really well designed for easy maintenance. The place is a little older now I believe, but a few touch-ups here and there and I'm certain it'd look like brand new again. The beds are great, the shower and tub awesome, the deck is wonderful, particularly cause you get to see stars at night, lupins by day and cute little rabbits in the morning! :) The washer-dryer really help as well so it's a perfect place to stay really!
It's pretty close to Wanaka, Mt. Cook and Oamaru on the East Coast as well so it's really well located. Would definitely recommend this place to anybody!