Ride Overview

Hold on to your hats riders – this gem – this is another incredible New Zealand ride that we are totally gaga over……..located about 200 kilometres from Christchurch City, on the South Island, it’s all you’ve been dreaming about in terms of authentic back country but with comfort and great riding.   It’s perfect for strong intermediate and advanced riders that are fit as there are times you will lead your horse downhill over shingle/rocky terrain.

We can arrange transfers to/from Christchurch (for a fee), but we recommend a rental car as it’s more economical, in terms of transport.  Plus, if you plan to come in a few days ahead (which we soooooo recommend), Christchurch is a beautiful historical city with lush and resplendent gardens and tasty (if not unique) cafes.  Additionally, the city itself is easy to navigate as they have excellent trams and bus.

As you arrive at Fairlie, the town closet to the lodge, do yourself a favor and make sure you get a pie at the local bakery, there is a queue out the door nearly all day, they are that good!

Set in the magnificent mountains of Canterbury region, the lodge and surrounding area is truly breathtaking.  With endless rivers running through the stunning property, you’ll appreciate that Blue Mountain Station is an active working sheep station, supplying quality merino wool not just locally – but all over the world!  It will be your incredible base for your stay.

The horses are a mix of homebred, TB and Standardbred.. You may even wish you were one of them as they are extremely well looked after – sociable and friendly.  We use stock and western high quality saddles for your time on the range.  And as a point of (non riding) interest, there is a small privately owned ski field near the station.

During the ride you will stay in the several different accommodations including, the basin hut (2 nights), cook shop (1 night) and the lake house lodge (1 night). Internet is available along with flushing toilets and hot water (the toilets are a short walk about 30 meters as there can’t be septic tanks near the lake.  The ride includes two nights in a rustic hut with bunk beds so that you can really get out into the vast terrain and explore.  On those nights there is no internet, but everything else you need will be there for you (Linens and towels along with comfortable beds.)

And the meals are all home cooked and plentiful – to keep you energized for the dynamic riding each day.  Weather permitting, you can even swim the horses in the lake, next to the accommodation – so don’t forget your bathing suit!

For the non-riders there is the option to join in the station activities traveling out in the 4wheel drive over the property checking stock. Or just relaxing at the Lakehouse or maybe if there is snow the option of the local ski fields may be open!

Dates:  Sept. 1-5, 2025 or on request from September through April (2 person minimum, maximum of 6)
***Other dates available on request.
Rates:  $2,065.00 USD or $3,400.00 NZD

Included

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • 5 days of guided riding
  • All meals as indicated
  • Horse and all tack
  • Guiding services
  • All local taxes

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Transfers to/from the station on the first and last day (rental car recommended)
  • Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities for the team at the end of the stay

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive after lunch and get ready - you'll saddle up your beautiful station horse or standardbred for the first real high country experience of your stay.

The team of fun cowgirls will guide you over the vast mountain range with many great views. Today's ride is about 8.5 km and takes you to basin hut, a rustic shepherd’s hut - imagine the stories those walls might tell! For those that want (we highly encourage you to!) part of the authentic experience is washing up in the clean creek surrounded by a copse of trees... it’s totally exhilarating!

A short walk back to the hut and you can relax around the fire having a delicious hearty campfire dinner, made by your new bestie, Lauren. For those that eat meat, you'll love this meal as all meat is home grown on the station - there is a variety served - venison or lamb or beef and a hearty portion of veggies.

After dinner, join along with card games or relax taking in the stunning view from this remote and pristine location.

Day 2: Riding on the range

Wake up refreshed to a cooked breakfast, ready for a big day in the saddle.

Today's ride takes you through the hills and along the river bed as well as through several river crossings (riding about 20km) to arrive at Andrews Hut a historical shepherd’s hut where you'll enjoy a lunch of tasty sandwiches. Be on the lookout for the local wildlife along the way, you may spot deer and also the stations own herds of sheep.

After lunch you'll mount back up for the afternoon adventure heading back to basin hut for a hearty dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Riding

Rise up early today for a big day. After a good hearty breakfast, saddle up for a roughly 15km ride over the magnificent mountain through the valleys and rivers to head to the station's cute cook shop cabin for lunch. The cook shop cabin is the heart of the station along with the shearing quarters.

You will be taken on a guided tour of the shearing quarters and hear about the history of the station and see the intricate details on how a large sheep station operates. After the tour, you will change horses and ride out to the beautiful Lakehouse for a lux comfortable night.

Weather permitting you can take your horse in for a swim in this lake for a cool swim - the horses love it!

The lake house has a fabulous campfire pit to sit around at night with a glass of wine or beer. Lauren will regale your taste buds again with another home cooked dinner. All with farm produced meat. (and don't worry vegetarians - we've got you covered too!)

Day 4: More Fun Riding

Be sure to have a good hearty breakfast today before you saddle up for you last day of riding.

You'll ride out amongst the trees about 10 km through utterly gorgeous countryside, every bend, every rise seem to have an "even better" view. You'll ride back to the Lakehouse for a delicious lunch, after which you may opt to spend the afternoon swimming your horse or relaxing by the lake, there are also canoes for you to have fun on the lake.

Stay at the ranch or head out that night if you prefer to a local pub for dinner (not included). Arrive back to the Lakehouse for a good night's sleep in the tranquility that is the backbone of this incredible station.

Day 5: Last Ride and Departure

Enjoy your last breakfast at the lake house and then mount up for your final 5 km ride over the property. By now, you'll have a great perspective on the breadth of the station - and the essence of it will have snuck into your soul.......

After your ride, say goodbye to your new friends and stalwart steed before leaving with amazing memories.

Tick! That's a mark off of the bucket list, for sure!