Bear Grylls Takes Lake Wanaka To The World

Millions of US households got a taste of Lake Wanaka when Bear Grylls’ new show ‘Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls’ screened on prime time television recently.

More than 4.2 million viewers watched the show which has become the number one new reality TV show in the US.

‘Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls’, which debuted on NBC, was filmed in the Matukituki Valley and Mount Aspiring National Park in March 2013. It is the first time a major American network has made an entire television show in New Zealand.

Lake Wanaka’s stunning and varied landscape was an ideal location for the two months ‘Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls’ filming. This combined with the town’s easy access to infrastructure, helicopters, jet boats and mountain guides, ensured that the production company’s demands for accessible wilderness, technical expertise and backcountry knowledge were met.

The series ‘Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls’ is an adventure reality competition hosted by world-renowned survivalist Bear Grylls. He pits 10 teams of two to venture into the dramatic Southern Alps to survive the wild journey and avoid elimination. Each week a team will be sent home with the winning duo scooping the grand prize of US$500,000.

International exposure

James Helmore, Lake Wanaka Tourism General Manager, said that advertising couldn’t buy the exposure the series will deliver for the South Island holiday destination.

“This level of reach to our key visitor markets is invaluable and to have the series filmed around the Lake Wanaka region is an absolute bonus,” said James. “For nine weeks our awesome scenery will be seen by millions of households in the US.

This will significantly raise Lake Wanaka and New Zealand’s profile as an international destination,” said James.

International audiences will be able to watch the series as it is rolled out to networks around the world later in 2013.

Matukituki Charitable Trust

Endorsing Lake Wanaka’s values of Kaitiakitanga (guardianship, care and protection) Grylls’ production company contributed (NZ$10,000) to a major conservation project underway in the Matukituki Valley.

The joint project between the Department of Conservation and Matukituki Charitable Trust aims to reduce pests in the West Matukituki Valley to benefit native wildlife such as birds, bats and lizards and native plants.

Lake Wanaka is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. The region offers a host of activities and attractions including golf, wineries, skydiving, jetboating, canyoning, tramping and boating as well as a wide variety of dining and entertainment options from historic pubs to luxury lodges.