Different starring role for film prop

A luxury bolthole that featured in a Hollywood movie is a finalist in a search for the best bach in New Zealand.

Bookabach is asking the public to choose their favourite holiday home from 36 finalists in the Golden Piwa awards.

Bookabach chief executive officer Peter Miles said the quirky and fun category captured the distinct No 8 wire spirit of the quintessential holiday home.

"From an ex-film set to a mud hut built by Chinese gold rush settlers, they all had to offer a totally one-of-a-kind experience - one you wouldn't find in any motel or hotel chain, or in fact any other bach in the country."

One of the quirkiest entrants is a cabin which was portrayed as a bunker storing nitroglycerin in the film Vertical Limit, starring Chris O'Donnell.

The prop was flown by helicopter between Mt Cook and Mt Earnslaw for filming before ending up in Glenorchy, near Queenstown.

The cabin was renovated several years later by owner James Ross.

He said transforming it into a funky cabin was a labour of love.

He was thrilled people enjoyed staying in an area he regarded asan untapped treasure of New Zealand.

Miles said the finalists were chosen from 6,600 properties on the popular holiday home site.

Voting closes on September 30 and the winners will be announced mid-October.