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8 Day Autumn Cattle Muster on a High Country Station in Fairlie, New Zealand
146 Blue Mountain Road, Fairlie, RD17, 7987, New Zealand
Horse Riding Holiday in New Zealand
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in in New Zealand
In this fully catered, fun-filled adventure, you will explore Blue Mountain Station and learn about cattle mustering. This is a great opportunity for experienced riders to get hands-on involvement with a real cattle muster. You will be provided with horses that know the terrain and the task in hand and guide you throughout the experience. Expect a true taste of life on a high country station!
Key information
- Weight limit: 100 kilograms / 220 pounds
- Horse breed: Stationbred, TB and Standardbreds horses
- Tack type: Stock and Western Saddles
- Horses height - 15hh to 16.2hh
Meet the instructors
Lauren, Sophia, & Julia
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Highlights
- 8 days of adventure of a lifetime
- Fully guided cattle muster for a real high-country experience
- Ride real high country horses on a real high country station
- Stay out at camp for several nights and get hands-on experience
- Muster cattle with the Blue Mountain shepherds and working dogs
- Camp games and roping lessons
- Finish the cattle muster with a party at the lake
- 7 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
7 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 6 participants
Airport transfer included:
Christchurch International Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
14:00
Check-out Time:
10:00
You will be accommodated in Cook Shop, Basin Hut Cattle Camp with Bell Tents, and Blue Mountain Lake. The rooms are mostly private, although some room sharing may be required. Linens and towels are provided and the washroom and showers or washing are in the creek! All of your gear will be delivered to your accommodation.
Basin Creek Hut
This beautifully restored historical hut was built in the late 1800's. The hut sits under the shadow of the mighty Mount Peel in a peaceful gulley just off the Orari River. It is the perfect place to stay for anyone looking to get out and explore the high country.
The hut is accessible by a 4x4 farm track along the Orari River and you can drive right to the front door. It is a perfect spot for a family getaway or fishing trip along the Orari River. Park up, sit back, and relax, or follow our marked trails around the station.
Amenities:
- The hut can sleep up to 6 people (the bunk room has 4 single bunks and 2 doubles joined together)
- Small kitchen and dining area with basic kitchen supplies and electric lights
- Indoor and outdoor fires
- BBQ with gas supplied
- A fresh water natural tap for water just outside the hut. There is no running water at the hut, only the creek. Although the water is very clean, we advise bringing your own water or boiling your water for 3 minutes before drinking.
- There is a long drop behind the hut
Cook Shop
Blue Mountain Cook Shop was built by the Buick family in the 1960s to supply hot meals for the shepherds and shearers. This cosy little cottage has been renovated into accommodation for people visiting the farm. This is the perfect place to explore the station from while having a few home comforts. The Cook Shop makes a great base to ride across the station from with the sheep yards and float parking right next door.
The Cook Shop is situated right at the heart of the busy working station. It is a great place to see the everyday goings-on of a fully operational Merino station. The Cook Shop is right opposite the mighty Blue Mountain Wool Shed. Most days you'll see our shepherds training their dogs in the sheep yards.
The building consists of a fully equipped kitchen/lounge with a TV, sofas, and a wood fire. There are 3 bedrooms and the original dining room. The bathroom is accessible via the veranda and has a shower and a toilet. Bedroom One has a double and single bed; Bedroom 2 has two single beds. Bedroom 3 (The Snorer's Snug) has a double bed. Bedroom 4 has two single beds, one snuggled in the cove in the dining room.
This stay includes bottom sheets and pillowcases for each bed, all kitchen needs, a fridge/freezer, a beer fridge, free WiFi, and firewood.
All you need to bring is towels. You can add full bedding as an extra if you don't want to bring your own.
Blue Mountain Lake Lodge & Lake House
The Lodge and Lake House package (up to 15 people) is perfect for big groups that want to have an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. This package allows access to both the lodge and the lake house. These buildings complement each other for the perfect combination of modern living and a lakeside retreat.
Program
Arrival day: 10th April 2025
- Arrive at the station - around 2:00 pm
- Meet and greet - meet the crew and riders
- Meet your horse - get matched up with your pony
- River ride - join a short river ride, this gives you a chance to get to know your horse.
- Dinner
- Card games
Muster Days: 11th to the 16th April 2025
Muster Cattle
These will be the main mustering days. Spreading out across the station. Weaning in the yards. Staying out at the Basin Hut cattle camp or at the cook shop. Day-to-day plan will vary depending on where you are mustering.
Everyday Camp Life
- Rise and shine! Hearty breakfast and into the saddle early. Mustering, yard work all-day
- Lunch at the basin hut or in the saddle on the muster. Pack lunch provided.
- Evening - washing down horses. Get the horses ready for bed. Feeding them.
- Dinner - followed by a few cold ones, campfire stories ,and ranch games
16th April 2025: Calf Weaning Celebration
- Pack up camp - close camp and saddle up
- Head to the lake - for our final night we will live in luxury at Blue Mountain Lake
- Swim the ponies - take your pony for a well-deserved swim
- Dinner - a delicious 4-course meal at the lake
- End of calf weaning party! - a little music, lots of yarns, a few beers by the blue lake fire pit to celebrate all your hard work with the crew!
17th April 2025: Calf Sale Day and Last Day
- Pack your bags
- Sales - join the crew at the Temuka sale yards to watch the calf being sold. The Temuka sale yards have not released their 2025 calendar. If the sale is on a different day, the crew will arrange the muster accordingly.
- Lunch at the pub
- Drop everyone off to the airport from sales.
- See you next year!
Horses
- Horses are provided - Fit and ready to ride
- Stock and Western Saddles
- Stationbred, TB and Standardbreds horses
- Helmets provided
Rider Requirements
- Only intermediate to experienced riders can book the muster
- All riders must be physically fit at the time of the muster.
- All riders must be able to walk down hill
- All riders must be comfortable at walk, trot and canter.
- Maximum weight of riders is 100kgs
- Must be comfortable to ride for up to 4 to 8 hours per day
- This package is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Instructors
Lauren
Lauren is the main guide at Blue Mountain Station. Lauren has over 15 years of experience in the horse world, an equine bachelors degree and a huge passion for Blue Mountain Station. Lauren will guide you throughout your ride across the station and tell you all about the farm. Lauren also the camp cook and keep you entertained in the evenings!
Sophia
Sophia is Blue Mountain's Head Groom and Guide. She is an all American girl originating from Washington! Sophia grew up riding and working in barns close to home. After university, she travelled the world and found a place here at Blue Mountain Station. Sophia is an integral part of daily horse care and management.
Julia
Julia is a Kiwi born and bred from sunny Nelson! Julia has travelled the world guiding horse treks and loves every minute of it. She is a bubbly, outgoing instructor that loves a yarn!
Location
Blue Mountain Lake is one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand, the best-hidden gem in the MacKenzie. This 5-ha crystal clear waterskiing lake is nestled under the Four Peaks' Range just a short 30-minute drive from Fairlie. Completely secluded and 100% privately owned, this sanctuary provides an amazing place for any group to come and play with total privacy.
Food
All snacks and meals are included, as well as complimentary beer and wine. Beef, mutton, pork and wild venison are all from the farm. Meals are provided from dinner on the first night to breakfast on the last morning.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- Horse hire
- Horse riding helmet
- All food and drinks
- Fully guided 7 days of riding
- 7 nights of hut stay, camp-out stay Cook shop stay, and luxury stay at the private lake
- All bedding, linens and towels
- Airport pick up
What's not included
- International flights to and from New Zealand
- Personal travel insurance (all guest are advised to require health and travel insurance before arriving)
- Additional accommodation before and after the trip
- Additional meals
- Tips, gratuities, and personal expenses
How to get there
Recommended Airports
CHC
Christchurch International Airport
126 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Blue Mountain Lake crew can collect you from Christchurch Airport on the 10th April 2025 at 8:00 am. At the end of the muster, they will drop you back off at Christchurch Airport by 3:00 pm.
Airport: Christchurch International Airport
Airport transfer included: Christchurch International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 14 days before arrival.
25
Last minute Discount
This listing has a last minute discount of 25% if you book within 40 days before the selected arrival date.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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