Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride
Surround Lake Hawea on this spectacular pack trail ride. Stunning lake views, an adventurous crossing of the Hunter River, ride out historical Dingleburn Peninsula Track. If you are looking for a longer but easy ride with 100% New Zealand landscapes – join us on this one!
Details
Duration
6 days
5 nights
Riding
6 x 3-6 h
all levels
Price (NZ$)
4.999
Payment Plan
yes
10 staged
Available Dates
23.-28. Nov 2026
Pick Up & Drop Off
Pick Up: 10.30 am, Camp Street QT
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xcYgBvQxMHdVkG8w9
One taxi for all guests – so please be on time!
Drop Off in Queenstown after trail: 1.30 – 2pm
Riding Location
Lake Hawea/ Hunter Valley
Included
transfer (Queenstown to location & back)
5 nights accommodation
full catering
trekking horse incl. tack and saddlebags
first aid kit
hard hat (as required)
blue bag, 9kg
(for personal belongs on packhorse)
Excluded
flight/travel to and from Queenstown
travel insurance (mandatory!)
alcohol
personal riding & travel gear
personal medication
sleeping bag (hire 15$)
dry bags
rain gear
Summary
Partial pack trail – moving from place to place throughout the trip with some vehicle support.
It doesn’t get more scenic than this – this is one of our most popular trails, combining lakes, mountains, and several river crossings. Based around the gorgeous Lake Hawea; we ride up one side of the lake, cross the Hunter River at the top, and head back out of the valley on the opposite lake shore. The riding on this trip is gentle and mostly flat, and the accommodation is varied; showing off the very best of high country hospitality. A Central Otago classic.
Accommodation
Three out of the five nights on this trip will be spent at cosy and traditional station quarters with electricity, comfortable beds, hot showers, and fully equipped kitchens. For the middle two nights we will be staying in a back country musterers’ hut, which has separate dining and sleeping spaces and a wonderful open fireplace. A perfect balance for those wanting to experience the adventure of journeying across the alpine landscape on horseback, without the commitment of spending the whole week roughing it!
Food
Expect to eat well on our pack trails. All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea) for the duration of our time out in the backcountry will be transported with us. We will enjoy home cooked dinners and full farmhouse breakfasts on the days spent at station accommodation.
Adventure Level
3/5 – This trail is suitable for most levels of rider from novice/intermediate upwards. Although the riding is overall mostly gentle and relatively flat, there are several river crossings and a few more challenging sections of terrain to tackle; a sense of adventure and general comfort with the outdoors and being away from modern conveniences is recommended. Due to the rocky, mountainous terrain and having packhorses with us, we ride only at a walk on all our trails, as is traditional throughout most of New Zealand.
Ride Itinerary
Day 1
Approx four hours in the saddle.
Your trip begins with collection from Queenstown Airport and transfer to Lake Hawea, enjoying a journey through Central Otago’s world-famous alpine scenery.
Our destination for the first night is Dingleburn Station, a remote and breathtakingly beautiful high-country station situated on the shores of the lake, and accessible only by air or 4WD.
We will meet at the cattle yards just outside the Hawea township, sharing a picnic lunch whilst we have our pre-trail briefing and pack our purpose-built pack trail bags, before loading up the horses and heading out on horseback. As road access to the station is steep and narrow, all stock must be transported in and out on foot or by horseback, and it is this route that we will take for our first afternoon’s ride.
Riding up above Lake Hawea is a truly spectacular experience; snow-capped peaks frame the shimmering turquoise water as we wind our way around the track cut into the hillside. Pass Rocky Point, and as we near the station, look out for tiny Silver Island. On a clear day, you will have a good view of Aoraki Mount Cook throughout the ride.
An afternoon tea of home baked scones will be waiting for us upon arrival at Dingleburn Station shearers quarters.
Day 2
Approx three hours in the saddle.
Today will be spent at Dingleburn Station, enjoying the charms of the homely shearers’ quarters and their gorgeous surrounds.
There will be an (optional) ride around the farm, exploring its rolling pastures, enjoying lovely views of the lake, and stopping off at a gorge.
In the afternoon, there will be plenty of time to head down to the river for a swim, explore the station on foot on one of the scenic and well-marked walking trails, or simply relax at the quarters with a book, a game of cards or a jigsaw.
In the evening, the hot tub is the perfect spot for some stargazing. The Mead family, the owners of Dingleburn, are very welcoming and love sharing their insights into high country farming.
Day 3
Approx six hours in the saddle.
On today’s ride we will leave Dingleburn Station behind and head out into the backcountry. The track that leads along the edge of the lake is beautiful and varied, dipping inland in places through sections of woodland, before re-emerging at the water’s edge.
Our lunch spot for this day is a particular highlight – eat your picnic at a secluded beach cove beside the lake and soak in the absolute serenity of this lesser-known side of popular Lake Hawea.
We ride all the way to the very top of the lake, passing tucked-away Green Bush Hut, before crossing the Hunter River and arriving at Boundary Hut; our accommodation for the next two nights.
Approx four hours in the saddle.
Today’s ride is a wonderful opportunity to explore further into the peaceful Hunter Valley. We will leave the packhorses behind and take an optional day ride along the river.
This is a flat and easy ride, and is a great chance to relax and take in the spectacular mountain scenery, with the Young and Huxley ranges hemming us in on either side. We often leave a joint of meat slow-roasting over the fire on this day; definitely a dinner to look forward to when you return from your ride!
Enjoy another relaxing evening out in the backcountry before we head back into civilisation in the morning.
Day 4
Approx six hours in the saddle.
Today we will load up our pack gear for the final time and leave Boundary Hut behind, making our way back out of the valley on the opposite side of the lake. Look out for the many creeks and waterfalls carving their way down the densely forested hillside and enjoy the reflection of the snow-capped peaks in the lake. You will be able to look across to our starting point at Dingleburn Station throughout the ride – it is always remarkable seeing just how far our horses have carried us!
We will enjoy a final picnic lunch alongside the lake and pass by Hunter Valley Station’s herds of cattle and merino sheep in the afternoon, before eventually arriving at the station’s stylish and comfortable shearers quarters – our final accommodation stop of the trip.
After a couple of days out in the backcountry, a hot shower and a cosy lounge are always a welcome sight; the quarters are the perfect spot to reminisce on stories from the trail over a glass of wine, or head out onto the deck to watch the horses enjoying some downtime in their paddock opposite the house.
Day 5
Our trip ends with one last full farmhouse breakfast at Hunter Valley before collection by your transfer for the return trip to Queenstown.
Day 6
Trail Gallery 1
Trail Gallery 2
Copyright for Trail Gallery 2 @briwoolnoughphotography: Impressions of the Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride
