Lake Ohau Luxury Trail
Wanna combine luxury and wilderness? Perfect!
Explore the stunning area around the lake from luxury Lake Ohau Quarters. Glacier river, native bush, spectacular mountain views.
In the evening? Stargazing in the hot tub.
Details
Duration
4 days
3
nights
Riding
3 x
4-6 h
all
levels
Price (NZ$)
3.500
Payment Plan
yes
10
staged
Available Dates
14. – 17.
Dec 2026
28. – 31.
Jan 2027
Pick Up & Drop Off
Pick Up: 9am, 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 Ohau
Included
transfer (Queenstown
to location & back)
3 nights accommodation
full catering
trekking horse incl.
tack and saddlebags
first aid kit
hard hat (as required)
Excluded
flight/travel to
and from Queenstown
travel insurance (mandatory!)
alcohol
personal riding & travel gear
personal medication
Summary
A lodge-based ‘clover leaf’ trail composed of three different day rides through Lake Ohau Station in the dramatic landscape of the Mackenzie Basin. You will spend between four and six hours in the saddle each day and return in the evenings to the wonderful Lake Ohau Quarters. We recommend stepping out of the lodge on at least one of your evenings for some spectacular stargazing. The Mackenzie Country is a designated dark sky reserve and boasts some of the clearest skies in the world.
Accommodation
Lake Ohau Quarters is a spacious, modern lodge nestled against its mountain backdrop. It features a stylish lounge with huge picture windows and an open fireplace, a hot tub, and panoramic views of the lake throughout the whole property. Towels, bedding, and basic toiletries are provided. Bedrooms are a combination of double and twin / small group shared rooms.
Food
You will be treated to high-quality home-cooked meals on this trail, prepared primarily with home-grown or local ingredients. We will share cooked breakfasts and two-course dinners together in the dining room, as well as afternoon tea upon returning from each day’s ride. Packed lunches will be provided to take with you in your saddlebags.
Adventure Level
2/5 – this is one of our easiest trails and is suitable for all levels of rider including beginners with an outdoorsy outlook and a good sense of adventure.
The accommodation is extremely comfortable, and the riding is easy-going. This trip is a great choice for couples, family groups, or solo travellers and the perfect way to experience the magic of riding through the Southern Alps without doing anything too challenging!
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 Ohau Station, enjoying a journey through Central Otago’s world-famous alpine scenery.
We will meet at the station’s woolshed on the shores of the lake for a picnic lunch and our introductory briefing before heading out on horseback for the afternoon. Our first day’s ride is a leisurely one, climbing up the first section of the Maitland Stream Track for far-reaching views of the lake and the surrounding mountains and ski fields. On a clear day, you might even be able to spot Aoraki Mount Cook peeking through in the distance.
Head back downhill, turn the horses out in their paddock for the evening, and settle into your lovely lodge accommodation. There will be plenty of the time after returning from each day’s ride for a dip in the lake and/or a soak in the hot tub and there are lots of indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy a quiet moment alone or a yarn with your fellow guests over a glass of wine.
Day 2
Approx six hours in the saddle.
We will head further into the valley on this day to explore Huxley Gorge Station, Ohau’s neighbouring high-country station. Spending much of the day following the twisting, braided path of the Hopkins River, this ride is flat and gentle. We will head down the Hopkins track and stop for lunch in a lovely tranquil meadow.
Enjoy an entire day spent in the wide-open valley, admiring the wildflowers and the gin-clear water of the mountain streams.
Day 3
Approx four hours in the saddle (with a well-earned pub stop!).
Our final day’s ride takes us up above the lake, over a variable and interesting range of terrain; follow narrow tracks through the native bush on the hillside, crossing the path of the Te Araroa trail and heading for Lake Ohau Alpine Village.
We will eat our lunch on the deck of Lake Ohau Lodge, a ski lodge and pub which affords sweeping views of the lake and mountains. Order a cold pint to celebrate your last day in the saddle before remounting for the return trip back through the glacier-carved valley to the quarters.
Our trip ends with one last full farmhouse breakfast before collection by your transfer for the return trip to Queenstown.
Day 4
Trail Gallery
