DISCOVER NEW ZEALAND!

Sightseeing & Non-Hunting Adventures

New Zealand is more than just a great hunting destination. There are many exciting activities for the non-hunter to enjoy the hunting vacation as well.

World-class scenery, a family friendly locale and welcoming English speaking people all make New Zealand one of the most sought after destinations on anyone’s bucket list.

From desert country to beautiful beaches, the mystique of the Southern Alps to the remarkable West Coast rainforest…New Zealand is a study of contrasting environments, each with its one unique activities to indulge in. In close proximity to them all, our exclusive travel agent can help you tailor your hunting experience to include fun activities for family and non-hunters that will be truly memorable. They’ll help you arrange all of your travel and build your itinerary, allowing you to go at your own pace and see the sights relevant to you.

The South Island roads are easy to navigate and safe to drive and the local folk are exceptionally hospitable to international guests. Take advantage of their expertise and make the most of your stay in New Zealand.

DISCOVER THE MACKENZIE REGION

A FEW POPULAR ACTIVITIES

In and around the South Island of New Zealand

Tekapo Hot Pools & Day Spa

Overlooking Lake Tekapo, this is a great spot for all ages. It includes a pool for the kids and a cafe to rest and relax after taking in the local sites. A day spa and beauty salon is also on sight if you feel the need to really pamper yourself. During the winter months there is an ice skating rink and ice hockey tournaments. Tekapo village is about 20 minutes from the lodge.

Hiking Trails & Horse Treks

Enjoy some amazing scenery and photo opportunities. We are surrounded by some great hiking trails in our countryside with tracks from 1 to 6 hours of varying terrain. Our horse back rides cater for all levels and can take you around lakes, over mountains or along river valleys. All within 15 mins drive of the lodge.

"Middle Earth" By Air

Get the full epic and cinematic experience of soaring though the world heritage national park of Mount Cook. In a custom airplane tour, you will fly over New Zealand's highest peak and longest glaciers, featured in "The Lord of the Rings". Best of all, it's only a 20 minute drive from our lodge.

Mount John Dark Sky Observatory

Mount John is one of the worlds top telescopic night sky observatory due to little light pollution, you have never seen the universe like this! It is a perfect place to protect and honor those traditions as the reserveʼs Mackenzie Basin has the clearest, darkest and the most spectacular night sky in New Zealand.

Lake Tekapo Church

On the shore of the breathtakingly blue waters of Lake Tekapo and framed by the Southern Alps sits the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. This little church has one of the most scenic views in the world, a great stop off to take some amazing photos. 30 mins from the lodge.

Mount Cook & Sir Edmund Hillary Centre

This visitor centre is a tribute to Sir Ed who was the first man to climb Mount Everest, with a history of mountain climbing with its own cafe this is a great day trip to to learn about the history of mountaineering and take in the backdrop right from the building of the glaciers and Mt Cook our highest peak. There are also some great hiking trails to get close up to the glaciers on a photographic safari. 1.2 hrs from the lodge.

World Famous Trout Fishing

The central South Island region has some of the best fly fishing and guides in the world. Day trips from the lodge can have you within an hour sight and cast fishing by our top professional full time fishing guide. Ideal months are February-April although there are good opportunities for Winter fishing.

Winery Tours

Home to some of the world's most picturesque and productive wine settings, the South Island is a vino-lovers’ paradise. Central Otago produces full and rich pinot noir while Marlborough is known for fresh and zesty sauvignon blanc. Canterbury, Nelson and the Waipara Valley all produce fabulous, delicate off-dry whites, as well as other mouth-watering wine styles. 1-3 hrs drive.

Maori Rock Drawings

Providing some of our earliest insights into our ancestors. The majority of New Zealand's Māori rock art is found in Te Waipounamu / the South Island with the main concentration located in the limestone rich areas of South Canterbury and North Otago. Traditional Māori rock art was either carved into a stone, or painted or drawn onto a stone’s surface. Māori used animal or bird fat mixed with vegetable gum and soot or red ochre to make black or red paint. In Te Waipounamu, rock art was most commonly applied to limestone - its smooth pale surface providing the perfect canvas. 30 mins from the lodge.

Blue Penguin Colony

The worlds smallest penguin the Blue or 'Fairy' Penguin inhabit the coast line of Oamaru. During the day visitors have the opportunity to enter the breeding colony. Take a casual stroll around part of the colony, seeing the natural habitat of the penguins. Information boards are placed around the site giving an insight to the life cycle of the birds, and monitoring programmes. Guided and night time tours are an option to watch these cute little guys coming back from feeding out of the ocean. 1.5 hrs drive from the lodge.

Shopping

There are many great little villages and towns in South Canterbury and Mckenzie country all within 1 hrs drive of the lodge. From gift shops to the larger towns day trips in the area will have you discovery some very unique and New Zealand bargains. 15-40 mins from the lodge.

Hobbit & Farm Tours

"The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" really exposed the grandeur of the South Island and its scenery. For those that loved these movies we can organise a very entertaining personal tour on a good friends property where they filmed the lake town scene, with props and scenery Ian will keep you intrigued with not only the behind the scene tales. But also a look around his amazing property surrounded by a glacial lake and Mt Cook as the backdrop. 45 mins from the lodge.

Jet Boating

The jet boat was invented in the South Island for our very shallow water ways and braided rivers requiring only 6 inches of water, this is a great way to head up the rivers to experience an action packed boat trip with the scenery to match. Queenstown has the world famous 'shotover jet' only 3 hrs drive.

Bungy Jumping

AJ Hackett started commercial jumping many years ago to now become an icon. If you feel like throwing yourself off a bridge to liven things up then this is the thrill for you. 2.5 hr drive from the lodge.

Skiing & Snowboarding

From late May you can spend the day skiing on one of our 3 local fields, you will find most guides will put there hand up for this one. Available also is heli skiing where you can hire a helicopter to fly into the mountains to find fresh unskied snow, get dropped off at the top the helicopter will be waiting for you. 20mins-1 hr drive from the lodge

Whale Watching

Whale Watch is New Zealand's only vessel-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year. 4 hrs from the lodge.

Gliding

The South Island of New Zealand, with Omarama approximately in the centre, produces some of the world’s best wave flying as well as astonishing ridge, thermal and convergence soaring amidst the spectacular and dramatic mountains of the Southern Alps where the visibility is often in excess of 400 kms. 1.5 hrs from the lodge.

Queenstown

Queenstown's stunning scenery, huge range of activities and renowned warm welcome cement its reputation as New Zealand’s favourite visitor destination. Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and the unique energy of the region create the perfect backdrop for a holiday full of adventure, exploration or relaxation. Just 3 hrs from the lodge.

The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

The heart of Glacier Country, the Fox Glacier and Josef Glaciers with the most accessible rivers of ice in the world, plunge down through rainforest almost to sea level. On the West Coast of the South Island from the lodge you can drive, train or take a short private air charter to get there.