Musterers' Mountain Packtrail Ride
Looking for a real challenge? This is the trail for you! Only suitable for very experienced riders with a good fitness level. Ride high into the mountains with a few fully remote days. Spectacular views, challenging tracks, camping and rough mountain life. Adrenaline preprogrammed on some of the track sections!
Details
Duration
9 days, 8 nights
Riding
7 x 3-8 h
Advanced riders only!
Price (NZD)
$7.580
Payment Plan
yes, 10 staged
Available Dates
2. – 10. Dec 2026
30. Mar – 7. Apr 2027
Pick Up & Drop Off
Pick Up: 11.30 am (Date 1),
10.30 am (Date 2), 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
St. Bathans – Lindis Pass – Ahuriri Valley
Included
transfer (Queenstown to location & back)
8 nights accommodation
full catering
trekking horse incl. tack and saddlebags
first aid kit
hard hat (as required)
kit 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 NZD)
dry bags
rain gear
Summary
Pack trip moving from place to place each night.
Our flagship adventure, Musterer’s Mountain is the most epic and varied trail we offer, showcasing the very best of the South Island. From dramatic mountain landscapes and vast high-country stations to native woodland, crystal-clear rivers, and welcoming backcountry accommodation, every day offers something new to discover.
This trail is a true adventure and makes for an unforgettable journey through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular backcountry.
Accommodation
For the first night of this trip accommodation is at the historic Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans, where bedrooms are a combination of double and twin-share. The following five nights will be spent in backcountry musterer’s huts. These provide us with inside shelter, cooking facilities, and long-drop toilets, as well as sleeping accommodation for all or most of the group. It is important to note that the accommodation for much of this trip is basic and it will be necessary for some of the group to camp at a few of the locations. Ahuriri River Lodge, where we spend our final two nights, is a traditional and cosy homestead with two lounges, a large dining room with sweeping views of the valley, and a huge log-burning fireplace. Bedrooms here are a combination of double and twin-share rooms.
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. The Vulcan Hotel will provide the first night’s dinner, as well as the following day’s breakfast and lunch. During our two-night stay at Ahuriri River Lodge, we will share full farmhouse breakfasts and two-course dinner together in the dining room.
Adventure Level
5/5 – This trail is our most intrepid. It is suited to confident riders with a reasonable level of experience and fitness. Although much of the riding is easy-going and you will have plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy the views, there are steep sections and challenging terrain to cross. We recommend a good head for heights and a decent sense of adventure in order to get the most out of this trip. 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
NOTE
For organisational reasons, trail in March/April will be ridden the other way around from Birchwood to St. Bathans.
Day 1
Approx one hour in the saddle.
Following collection from Queenstown Airport, your adventure begins with a transfer to the historic settlement of St Bathans, one of Central Otago’s most enchanting hidden gems. Nestled beside the striking Blue Lake, arriving in this tiny village feels like taking a step back in time. Formed by extensive gold mining, the lake is defined by its dramatic white limestone cliffs, creating an almost lunar landscape that is unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.
We will meet at St Bathans Station’s woolshed for our pre-trail briefing and a relaxed introductory ride, providing an opportunity to get to know your horse and make any necessary adjustments to stirrups and tack. This short ride around the farm is also a great way to learn a bit more the area’s fascinating gold mining heritage, as we pass by historic water races and remnants of the workings that once fuelled the Otago gold rush.
After the ride, there will be time to explore St Bathans; take a stroll around the Blue Lake and through the village, which is comprised of just one main road lined with beautifully preserved historic cottages.
Your accommodation for the night is the iconic Vulcan Hotel; full of character and old-world charm, this historic pub is renowned for its delicious food and welcoming atmosphere. Get to know your fellow adventurers over a locally brewed beer before settling in for a comfortable nights stay.
Day 2
Approx six hours in the saddle.
After a continental breakfast at the Vulcan, head back to the woolshed with your purpose-made pack trail bags (your remaining luggage will rejoin us on the trip’s penultimate night at Birchwood Station). Once the pack horses are loaded up, it will be time to leave civilisation behind and head into the backcountry for the next few days.
During our first morning’s ride through St Bathans Station, the trail winds across easy, open country offering a relaxed start to the adventure. Making our way through the rolling high-country landscape underneath an endless sky, we will pause for our lunch break at a hut known simply as ‘Don’s Hut,’ after station owner Don Malcolm.
In the afternoon, we will leave St Bathans Station behind and cross into Dunstan Downs Station, which is now managed by the Department of Conservation. Following the crystal-clear waters of Dunstan Creek, our trail meanders through this spectacular valley, framed by the St Bathans Range and the Chain Hills.
We will cross many mountain streams and usually spot South Island pied oystercatchers foraging along the riverbanks. As we near our base for the night, the landscape opens up into vast expanses of golden tussock country.
We will spend the night at Fat Man’s Hut, which has a traditional wood-burning stove, a cosy cookhouse, and separate sleeping quarters. Take a dip in the icy creek before dinner if you are feeling adventurous!
As darkness falls, the setting sun often paints the surrounding mountains in brilliant shades of gold and crimson, the perfect end to our first night in the backcountry.
Day 3
Approx seven hours in the saddle.
Today’s ride is one of the most spectacular of our journey. The morning begins with a steady climb high into the Dunstan Range towards the summit of Old Man Peak (1,800m). Reaching the summit is a real highlight of the trail, with panoramic views of the Southern Alps in every direction. As you look out over the breathtaking patchwork of rugged mountain ranges, the sense of scale is extraordinary.
From the summit, the trail descends into the Lindis Pass, where both riders and horses enjoy a well-earned break over lunch. Here, our support vehicle will meet us to restock our pack boxes for the remainder of the expedition.
After lunch we will cross the highway and continue into Dalrachney Station, riding for a short time alongside a mountain stream before climbing back up into the mountains. During our December departure, the ground will be covered with colourful lupins. We will pass beneath the summit of Longslip Mountain, finishing by spending much of the afternoon traversing a spectacular high ridge line, with valleys falling away on either side and uninterrupted 360-degree views across the surrounding peaks.
Our accommodation for the night is Lindis Ridge Hut. Perched at around 1,500m above sea level, the hut feels as though it sits on top of the world and certainly makes for an extremely memorable place to spend a night.
Approx three hours in the saddle.
After two long days in the saddle, today’s ride is a short and easy one. We begin our morning by dropping down from Lindis Ridge Hut into Longslip Station, leading our horses on foot for the first section of the day. When we mount up at the bottom, the trail winds gently through the beautiful valley, following the path of the Lindis River.
We will enjoy an extended lunch break beside a tinkling stream; the perfect opportunity to slow down and soak in the peaceful alpine surroundings.
By late afternoon, we will arrive at Burnt Bush Hut, a tiny traditional muster’s hut tucked away in a woodland clearing. Hidden amongst the trees, it has a fairytale feel to it and provides a cosy and rustic base for the night.
Day 4
Approx six hours in the saddle.
Today is the day that riders will remember long after the trip has ended. Our morning begins with a steady climb towards the summit of Mount Prospect. As we gain elevation, the views become ever more expansive, with rugged mountain ranges stretching far into the horizon. At the summit, we will pause to give the horses a well-earned rest while we soak in the extraordinary alpine panorama.
From here, the adventure reaches its most exhilarating point. The trail traverses the mountainside along a narrow track carved into the scree, with dramatic slopes falling away below and endless peaks unfolding in every direction. It is an unforgettable section of riding that combines excitement with absolute trust in your horse. Sure-footed, calm, and remarkably capable, these experienced high-country horses navigate the terrain with confidence.
When the trail returns to gentler, grassy country, we will stop for our picnic lunch. The afternoon follows an easier descent into the valley.
We will spend the night at Top Timaru Hut, a DOC hut situated alongside New Zealand’s famous Te Araroa Trail. We often share the hut with trampers walking the length of the country, creating a wonderful opportunity to exchange stories and experiences with fellow adventurers from around the world before settling in for another peaceful night beneath the stars.
PLEASE NOTE: The Mount Prospect crossing is weather dependant; as the exposed alpine terrain can be affected by changing mountain weather, we may choose an alternative route in wet or windy conditions to ensure the safety of both our guests and our horses. This option still offers spectacular scenery, varied riding, and an unforgettable high-country experience.
Day 5
Day 6
Approx three hours in the saddle.
Today’s ride is shorter but no less brilliant. Setting out from Top Timaru Hut, we will follow a section of the Te Araroa Trail as it winds towards Martha’s Saddle. The steady climb up and over the saddle is rewarded with sweeping views across the Huxley and Young Ranges.
We will stop for our picnic lunch at the summit, surrounded by some of the South Island’s most spectacular mountain scenery. From here, the trail descends towards Ben Avon Station.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at Tin Hut, our final backcountry hut of the trip. Nestled in a broad valley beside the Avon Burn River, this traditional high-country hut provides a peaceful setting for our last night in the wilderness.
Approx six hours in the saddle.
On today’s ride, we will head through Ben Avon Station, where the landscape changes from rugged alpine wilderness to rolling high-country farmland. The riding today is relaxed and enjoyable, following easy-going tracks through open cattle pastures, and crossing many streams.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the magnificent Ahuriri Valley from our lunch spot high in the mountains before winding gently downhill, passing some of Ben Avon’s station buildings, eventually joining Birchwood Road, a quiet 4WD track that follows the Ahuriri River deep into the valley.
Ahuriri River Lodge will be our home for the final two nights of the trail; after five nights in backcountry huts, the comforts of a hot shower, a crackling fire, and a welcoming lounge are especially appreciated. Refreshed and relaxed, we will share a home cooked dinner together in the lodge’s beautiful dining room.
Day 7
Approx four hours in the saddle.
After such an epic adventure, it is only fitting that our final day in the saddle should be an especially memorable one. Start out your day with a gentle ride along the road and further into the valley, before peeling off and climbing a steep, winding track to the summit of Mount Gladwish. The ascent is varied and soaringly beautiful. The terrain changes from dense bush to an open rocky track as you climb higher and includes tackling a few short sections of scree close to the top.
Eat lunch at the mountain’s summit and relish, for one final time, the feeling of being completely alone in the world. The landscape is vast and breathtaking, providing views far into the Dingleburn Valley – see if you can spot the glaciers in the distance.
After lunch, descend the mountain and return to the homestead, swapping trail stories over a final dinner together.
Day 8
Our trip ends with one last full farmhouse breakfast at the lodge before collection by your transfer for the return trip to Queenstown.
Day 9
Trail Gallery 1
Trail Gallery 2
Copyright for Trail Gallery 2 @briwoolnoughphotography: Impressions of the Musterers’ Mountain Pack Trail
