Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride

Riding Day 1

4 1/2 Hours Riding

Horseback Holiday, Trail Time

Our Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride begins in Queenstown NZ.

Trail Taxi pickup is at 13:00 > 13:30 in Queenstown

Please come ready to ride

Meet your adventure horse team mate

Meet your adventure horse team mate, saddle up to ride into the beautiful Dingleburn Station for a breathtaking afternoons ride.

Pack that blue bag and lets get everything ready to ride that river and love that lake.

Then we saddle up and ride our horses through the Dingleburn Bluff, a true piece of Kiwi number eight wire engineering.

When the Government raised Lake Hawea in 1958 they left the Dingleburn Station with no access road. The then owners Mr and Mrs Sarginson decided that this was not going to stop them and Mr Sarginson, blasted a road into the side of the mountain.

Tonight we will stay at the shearers quarters powered by hydro generation, solar energy and generators, this incredible station is “off grid.” Hot showers, flushing toilets and soft beds await us along with a lovely big cook shop/dining room.

The Mead family are so welcoming and often one of them will pop in for a chat and guests have a chance to ask questions about the station.

Riding Day 2

4 hours riding or rest day

Explore More or Rest and Digest the Beauty _ 4 hours riding

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.

No need to pack our bags as we are staying for a second night in this idyllic location.

Riding Day 3

6 Hours riding

Ride that River, Love that Lake

Today we cross the Hunter River and ride our beautiful horses into the Hunter Valley Station.

As we ride today Lake Hawea changes colour so many times before our eyes, it is indeed a magical place to ride.

The Hunter Valley Station station is managed by Digby and Hannah Cochran.

Our accommodation this evening is a historic musterers hut with solar power and wonderful views nestled in the heart of the mountain ranges. Dinner is cooked on the open fire or gas hobs.

If you wish, you can sleep out under the stars without any light pollution affecting your view.

Day 4

6 Hours riding

Venture into the Valley or Rest and Relax

Valley can you be more beautiful?

or

Enjoy a rest day to do what you want in this beautiful location

Today riders have a choice of what they want to do, perhaps you want to go fly fishing or simply put your feet up and read a book. Your day, your way.

For those who wish to explore on horseback today we will be riding deep into the Hunter Valley. Riding along the banks for the Hunter River as it meanders its way through the feet of the mountains. This turquoise braided glacial river is translucent allowing us to spy fish playing in its wavelets.

This really is a wonderful days ride that explores locations most Kiwis never take the time to see.

For those who choose to relax and explore, there are lovely swimming holes not far from the hut. We are located at the base of the mountains and the peace is so special.

Riding Day 5

6 Hours Riding

Mountains make magic in the looking glass lake

The Lake Hawe Hunter River Ride is a most enigmatic trail. Filled with scenery that weaves a magic into your whole being. Today we are about to experience that magic together

Mounting our beautiful horses we ride around the edge of the magnificent Lake Hawea. Taking in native beech forests, water falls, crossing the glacial rivers that feed the lake.

As we ride we pass by many iconic old fishing cribs built by keen fishermen/women that frequented this location in search of trout and salmon.

Our final nights accommodation is Hunter Valley shearers quarters. As we ride into the station they are often mustering cattle or sheep/ tailing lambs or weaning stock. It is so lovely to peep through the window of station life.

Hannah and Digby are so welcoming and will often pop in to meet our guest and you can ask questions about the farm and life there.

Day 6

Heading home holding magical mountain memories in our hearts

We say goodbye to the horses in the paddock beside the quarters at Hunter Valley and head homeward bound. This trail will touch you deep in your soul.

John and I have been riding this trail since 2013 and it never fails to give something more special each time we ride.