Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride

Day 1

2 Hours Riding

Horseback Holiday, Trail Time

Trail Taxi pickup is at 12:30 > 13:30 in Queenstown

Meet your adventure horse team mate

Meet your adventure horse team mate and saddle up to explore the beautiful Hunter Valley Station for an afternoons ride.

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

Day 2

6 Hours Riding

Mountains make magic in the looking glass lake

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 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.

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

Day 3

6 Hours riding

Valley can you be more beautiful?

or

Enjoy a rest day to do what you want in this amazing 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.

Day 4

Ride that River, Love that Lake _ 6 Hours Riding

Today we cross the Hunter River and ride our beautiful horses into the Dingleburn Station, renowned for its fine wool.

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

The Dingleburn station is managed by Sisters, Nikki and Bridget Mead.

Tonight we will stay at the shearers quarters powered by hydro generation. 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.

Day 5

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.

Day 6

Ride the bluff towards home _ 4 hours riding

Our final days ride sees us explore the edges of Lake Hawea and her raw unspolt beauty before lunch.

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.

We say goodbye to the horses at the Dingleburn cattle yards and head for the Lake Hawea Hotel for an evening of laughter looking back across the beautiful Lake Hawea and the trail that we have ridden over the last 5 days.

Day 7

Forever Friendships through Memories Made

Saying goodbye and heading homeward bound with a heart full of wonderful memories