Horse Riding Hunter Valley

Suitable for people with good riding ability, good levels of
fitness and intermediate levels of riding ability.
Not suitable for complete novices
Important Note: This trail is unique in that at times we utilise pack horses and others the trail is
serviced with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. In both cases we will be utilising the “blue bags” for the three out of the
5 days trail.
Come ready to ride
Pick up in Queenstown is between 1pm & 1:30pm
Imagine riding a beautiful horse into stunning views of the
enchanting Lake Hawea, Mount Aspiring, Hunter Valley, Ahuriri Conservation
Park and surrounding mountain ranges.
Exclusive access
To 2 privately owned iconic high country stations.
Riding day 1 _2> 2.5 hours riding (this may vary depending on weather or station activities (mustering cattle or sheep)
Arriving at Hunter Valley for 3:30 pm start
Our adventure begins at Hunter Valley shearer’s quarters.
You will be introduced to your adventure horse team mate, this afternoon. Horses
are saddled and ready to go, we are fitting equipment to your needs, adjusting
stirrups, attaching saddle bags,
Listen carefully to our trail boss/ head wrangler at this time as they will give you
tips about your specific horse. Our horses live and work in a herd environment
and it is important to observe the herd hierarchy. (Learn more about our horses)
This is an important time, ensuring that everyone's riding abilities match that
of their adventure horse team mate.
Raise any questions you may have about your gear or your horse
team mate.
Each of our horses has a unique personality that I am sure you will fall in love with.
We enjoy and afternoons ride beside the picturesque Lake Hawea.
Returning to the shearer’s quarters for our evening meal and overnight stay. The
quarters enjoy hot showers, flushing toilets, TV room and electricity with comfy beds.
The deck looks out of the picturesque lake and old rustic farm buildings. This
is a great opportunity to get to know one another before our adventure begins.
There are some lovely walks around the lake if you so desire after dinner or you could just enjoy a wine sitting on the deck
soaking up the view. There is an opportunity to chat to those who live and work on
Hunter Valley station
We will be utilising the "blue pack bags" on this trail so this afternoon you will be packing your gear into the blue bag
and we will transport your suitcases to the Lake Hawea Hotel to meet you at the end of your trail.
Riding
day 2 - 5 hours riding - riding out 9:30 am
This morning we enjoy a continental breakfast as we are up and on the move early.
Packing our saddle bags after a lovely breakfast, we say goodbye to Hunter
Valley Station quarters. Today we ride through native Beech forests and water
falls. Travelling alongside this imposingly beautiful lake side we head towards Hunter
Valley Boundary Hut.
Today we will see Hereford cattle and Merino sheep roaming, this is a working station
and at times we enjoy seeing the shepherds mustering with their dogs and
horses.
We will stop along the way for photo opportunities. Tonight’s
accommodation has a long drop toilet, two separate bunk rooms, solar lighting
and a wonderful horse paddock with stables and tack room. The hut enjoys
spectacular views of
the Hunter Valley and delightful sense of isolation.
We will enjoy nibbles and dinner on the expansive decking with a stunning mountain
backdrop.
There is an opportunity to sleep out under the stars tonight if you so wish.
We carry tents if riders want more privacy.
Riding
day 3 – 9:30 am start – 6 hours riding
Your day, your way today…
·
Here riders can either enjoy a rest
day at Boundary Hut or ride into the magnificent Hunter Valley
or
·
This is one of New Zealand’s best fly fishing rivers, those fly fisher people among
us may wish to spend the day out on the river
After we enjoy a hearty farmhouse breakfast and pack our lunches we
saddle up and ride deep into the Hunter Valley. This trail meanders through an
ice blue glacial river flanked by magnificent mountain ranges. Riders can enjoy
seeing trout playing in the river or rare New Zealand Falcons flying high
overhead. In the autumn we hear the stags roaring in the valley.
This is a ride you will not forget for a long time as the incredible
isolation and beauty is overwhelming.

Riding day 4 – 9:30 am – 6 hours riding
Tummies full of breakfast, tucker boxes packed we head out
to cross the crystal-clear Hunter river into the Dingleburn station. We will
spend the day feeling as though we are riding in a postcard as the views
throughout the day are spectacular and day dreamy.
At times the lake acts as a mirror, reflecting the stunning mountain views.
We will be looking back across the lake at Hunter Valley Station amazing ourselves how
far we have travelled.
Lake Hawea changes colour so many times today there are so many shades of tourquise.
Our accommodation for the evening is the Dingleburn shearers
quarters, located in an amazing setting. Here we have hot showers flushing
toilets.
This
station is completely off grid and self-sufficient, electricity is generated by
hydro power/ solar power and generator.
There is a wonderful cookhouse where we will enjoy a farm cooked meal and relaxing
evening.
This station is run by two amazing Women, Nicki and Bridget Mead. We often enjoy
seeing them working stock on horseback with their dogs, shearers working in the
wool shed and we have also been privileged enough to join their autumn muster
through the bluff.
Riding day 5– 10:00am start – 4 hours riding
Your day, your way today…
Once again, you have a choice of what you would like
to do today.
The Dingleburn station is a nestled deep in the
heart of the mountain ranges. So many customers have asked us to take an additional
day here so this year that is exactly what we have done.
·
Here riders can either enjoy a rest
day at Dingleburn shearers quarters. Put your feet up and read a good book, go
walking, there is a lovely river to swim in within an easy walk. Snuggle into
your soft bed and enjoy a lazy day in paradise.
or
Explore the stations stunning
peninsular on horseback
Riding day 6- 10am start – 4 hours riding
No pressure this morning we enjoy a full farmhouse breakfast in the
cookhouse.
Saddle up and head for the Hawea Hotel. We ride along the Dingleburn track;
you will be amazed at the pioneering Kiwi ingenuity that constructed this access way into such a
stunning and remote station. At times we will pass the waterfall that provides the
hydro power for the station. This is a wonderful picturesque gentle days riding
to end our adventure. Keep the camera handy.
We leave the horses in the Dingleburn Cattle yards for the night. The
horses will enjoy a good night on the hay whilst we will be transported to the
Hawea Hotel for our nights’ accommodation and evening meal. This Hotel
overlooks Lake Hawea and we can enjoy the luxury of dinner looking out over the
lake.
Please note: Dinner is a set menu (you will need to bring your wallet for alcohol
which is not included tonight)
Day 7
– Relaxing morning homeward bound :
A continental breakfast is
provided by the Lake Hawea Hotel.
After breakfast, our taxi will arrive to take you back to
Queenstown airport by 1:30pm
Or
Queenstown town centre 2:30pm