Pick up in Queenstown is between 9> 9:30 am  

Arriving at West Wanaka Station 12 > 1230 pm start – 4 .5 hours riding (this may vary depending on
weather or station activities (mustering cattle or sheep) 

Our adventure begins at West Wanaka Station wool shed.

Lake Wānaka, weave your magic 

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.  This is a

good time to 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 pack our blue bags, load the pack horses and saddle up to ride beside the
picturesque Lake Wanaka to our accommodation for the evening. 

Tucker boxes packed, horses saddled and pack horses at the ready. We will ride through
deer paddocks climbing up onto the top tracks of the West Wanaka deer farm.
This particular piece of the ride has been voted the most scenic four wheel
drive journey in New Zealand for several years by New Zealand Tourism Board.
Here we enjoy views of Lake Wanaka, Wanaka and Hawea Basin and Mount Aspiring National
Park.  
Our destination for the night is the simplistic and rustic Minaret Hut. Minaret
hut is basic Musterer’s accommodation with 8 bunks and a long drop toilet. You
can choose to sleep in the hut alternatively; there will be a number of tents
erected prior to your arrival at the camp site. We will enjoy a hearty meal and
relax overlooking the lake from the banks of West Wanaka Station. From high in
the hills the lights of Wanaka Township are visible under cover of darkness and
friendly K’ak’ap’o (wild colourful Alpine parrots) usually join us in the camp.
We are so close to civilisation and yet so far away. 

Riding day 2 – 9:30am start – 5 hours riding 

Horse, the unknown is waiting, lets go.... 

This morning we enjoy a continental breakfast, as we are up and on the move early. 

Packing our saddle bags after a continental breakfast, we say goodbye to our lovely old hut as we are heading to Minaret Station
today.  This morning’s ride is one of the trail bosses favourite as the scenery is so

dramatic and breath-taking. 

The trail leads around rocky bluffs and thick native bush as we drop down into the
Minaret River where we will enjoy a cup of tea and lunch.  
Then we will head off climbing out of the Minaret River through the boundary
between these two iconic stations. 

Keen eyes will spot wild deer in their natural habitat and native falcons. We will ride
for approximately an hour before we reach the lush green paddocks of Minaret
Station. Here we are riding along the side of Lake Wanaka with its stunningly
clear glacial waters acting like a mirror reflecting the imposing mountain
ranges. 

We are very lucky to have permission to ride through these farms on the banks
of Lake Wanaka. There is no vehicle access through this area, Minaret utilises
a barge, boat or air transportation. This is why we utilise pack horses
preserving the traditional method of transportation for all of these stations.

Our accommodation for the night is the recently, revamped shearer’s quarters,
with hot showers, flushing toilets, soft beds and electricity is provided by
the station generator.

Our evening meal is being prepared by either the station owner or the station
managers Wife at Minaret. This is a great opportunity to chat to those who live
and work at Minaret station. The Wallis family are famous in Aoteroa NZ for the
live capture of deer which marked the beginning of deer farming in NZ.

We can relax and enjoy the beauty of this isolated environment.  

Riding day 3 – 8 am start – 5hours riding/2hours on the barge 

Sailing into new tomorrows, my horse and I..

This morning we are up very early to catch horses and saddle up as we have a
boat/barge to catch. After a continental breakfast we ride out to meet the
barge (horses) boat (humans) 

Packing our saddle bags we say goodbye to Minaret Station quarters. Today we are
sailing across Lake Wanaka and it is a stunning sight. The mountains generally
have a dusting of snow and Lake Wanaka changes colours like a chameleon. Your
camera will be exhausted after this part of the trail. 

We sail towards “the neck” which is the shortest distance between Lake Wanaka and
Lake Hawea. This is a very historic sight as Maori fought a fierce battle here.

around 15 mins with our horses. Then we duck onto an old pack trail high above
Lake Wanaka and ride towards Lake Hawea. At one point in the ride we can see
both Lakes. 

Lunch is enjoyed beside the stunning Lake Hawea before riding through native beech
forests and into Hunter Valley Station. 

This is a wonderful working station and we often see the shepherds working their
dogs or shearers shearing sheep at the woolshed. 

Tonights accommodation is shearers quarters with hot showers, flushing
toilets, washing machine, wifi. It is lovely to relax at the quarters which
overlook Lake Hawea, you can enjoy an icy swim in the Lake, take a wine on the
deck and read a book, enjoy a lovely walk beside the lake. 

The Cochrans’ who live and work at the station are lovely welcoming people.
Most of the time our guests have the opportunity to chat to them about station
life and share some stories. 

Riding day 4 – 9:30am start – 6 hours riding 

Hello Lake Hawea goodbye heart 

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 5 – 9:30am start - 6 hours riding 

Let’s Explore More of that Valley 

Today its your day, your way 

• Enjoy a rest day at the hut
  reading your book or taking a walk


• Ride deep into the Hunter
  Valley


• Hunter River is a world
  renowned fly fishing river, catch and release

After we enjoy a hearty farmhouse breakfast and pack our lunches 

(those who are riding saddle up and ride deep into the Hunter Valley) 

Crossing the Hunter River we head deep into the Hunter Valley, this trail meanders
through an ice blue glacial rivers flanked by magnificent mountain ranges.
Riders can enjoy seeing trout playing in the river or rare New Zealand Falcons
flying high overhead. This is a ride you will not forget for a long time
as the incredible isolation and beauty is overwhelming.    

Returning to our campsite at Green Bush hut for the evening where dinner has been
cooking on the fire all day. 

We enjoy wine and nibbles before dinner.   

There is no electricity in this hut but we do have limited solar lighting. 

We enjoy an evening singing around the fire to the ukulele, telling stories of the
trails and laughter.

Riding day 6 – 9:30am – 6 hours riding 

After breakfast, tucker boxes packed we head towards our accommodation for the
next two nights, Dingleburn station. 

The day is spent feeling as though we are riding in a postcard as the views
throughout the day are spectacular and day dreamy. 

The lake acts as a mirror reflecting the stunning views furthermore, changing colours
from the deepest blue to icy turquoise. We will be looking back across the
lake at Hunter Valley Station and Lake Hawea that we rode around the
previously. 

Our accommodation for the evening is the Dingleburn shearers
quarters, located in an amazing mountain setting. Dingleburn station is known for its production
of some of the finest merino wool in the world. 

Here we have hot showers, flushing toilets, a wonderful cook shop where we will
enjoy a farm cooked meal and relaxing evening together. 

Sustainable Station: 

This station is completely off grid and self-sufficient, electricity is generated by
hydro power/ solar power and generator. 

There is a washing machine at the station for those who wish to catch up on some
washing. 

We often enjoy watching station life, as shepherds muster sheep (often on
horseback) with their dogs at this iconic station. The stock managers and owners
of this station are Nikki and Bridget Meads. They often drop in for a
chat if they are not too busy. 

It is wonderful opportunity to hear the stories about station life.

Riding Day 7- 4 hours riding 

Explore More or Rest and Digest the Beauty

Today riders can choose their day. 

Relax at the Dingleburn quarters, kick back in the lazyboy chairs and read a book, head
to the river for a swim or enjoy a lovely lie in.

or

Saddle up
and explore more of the Dingleburns beauty on your horse.

The choice is yours. 

After a hearty farm house breakfast our riders saddle up and head out to explore this
amazing station.

Riding day 8 – 4 hours riding 

This is a relaxing morning at the station, enjoying a full farmhouse breakfast
in the cookhouse. 

Today we ride out along the bluff towards our destination the Hawea Hotel. you will
be amazed at the pioneering Kiwi ingenuity that constructed this access
way into such a stunning and remote station. We will pass the waterfall
that provides the hydro power for the station. 

A wonderful picturesque gentle days riding.  

En-route we will ride up onto the peninsular and look back up through the Hunter
Valley. 

Keep the camera handy as views of Mount Aspiring, Lake Hawea and the bluff will
take your breath away.  

Weather permitting; we enjoy lunch on the reserve at the base of the mountains.

Our Taxi meets us at Dingleburn Cattle yards. The horses have a night on the hay
the humans are transported to the Lake Hawea Hotel for our
nights’ accommodation and evening meal.  We arrive at the Hawea
Hotel around 4pm. 

There is a laundry at the hotel for those who wish to do some washing.

This Hotel overlooks Lake Hawea and we can enjoy the luxury of dinner looking
out over the lake. Dinner is a set menu 

(you will need to bring your wallet for alcohol which is not included)

Day 9 – Saying goodbye to the mountains

that have been our home for 9 days. 

We enjoy a final breakfast together before you make your way home. 

Transportation is provided to Queenstown
airport or your accommodation.