Attractions
If you’ve never spent time in New Zealand’s high country, Arrowsmith Station offers you the perfect experience..
Activities
Lake Heron is renowned for its secluded fishing spots. As the largest of the four lakes that make up the Ashburton Lakes, it’s also a remote and spectacular wildlife area. You may be lucky enough to spot a rare Southern Crested Grebe, one of New Zealand’s endangered birds, or some of the other native birdlife that flock to this area. If birdwatching isn’t a passion, kayaking the lake or walking through the spectacular tussock land will give you that wilderness experience.
There are row boats and kayaks available for your use while staying at the Lodge. From the lodge it’s only a short drive (15 minutes) to the two small lakes that nestle together further inland, Clearwater and Camp, a popular holiday destination in summer for water sport enthusiasts. Drive a little bit further (30 minutes) and you reach Mt Potts, the high country station where the city of Edoras was created on Mt Sunday for the Lord of the Rings “The Two Towers” film. Tours of the area can be arranged.
Mountain biking tracks abound in this area. Bikes can be hired from Big Al’s Bike Shop in Methven and access to the Station is available on request..
Horse trekking & mt biking
Arrowsmith has a large 42km 4WD track for horse riders and mountain bikers to ride on at their own leisure where you can take in the spectacular views over the Cameron Valley, Lake Heron and Arrowsmith Range.
The first 20km of the track is a bulldozed, regularly maintained track with a stoney base so horseshoes/boots are strongly recommended. There is a mixture of flats, rolling hills, steep inclines, and steep declines, so horses would need to be hill fit as well as distance fit to enjoy this ride the most. There are multiple creeks along the way for horses to get a drink.
The track begins 1.6km from the woolshed, and is a 16km ride on a clay track to the Wildmen Hut, and another 6km ahead will bring you to the Top Hut (DOC Hut). The next 18km of the track is on a riverbed track, which follows the Ashburton River, down around Ribbonwood Hill and back to the fertile flats of home. This track has suffered some damage over the last couple of years from the heavy rains. It is still rideable and on bikes there may be some pushing involved , but riders will need to be more experienced to navigate the terrain.
Horse Accommodation
let us know if you are staying and we can have your horses stay in the paddocks at the woolshed but you are only keen for a day trip that is also fine
Building Memories
Another attraction in the area is the Hakatere Conservation Park. Mt Arrowsmith Station is surrounded by the park which covers 60,000 hectares of rugged mountain country, tussockland, beech forest, rivers and lakes between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers.
Arrowsmith has a 40km four wheel drive track that is suitable for hiking, mountain biking, four wheel driving and horse trekking during the warmer months. The track takes in the beautiful Cameron valley and over into the head of the Ashburton river, on the way you may like to stop off at the “Wildman Musterers Hut” and take in the awe inspiring views.
Mt Arrowsmith Station
Hakatere Heron Road Ashburton
Mid Canterbury, NZ
P +64 3 303 9009
E arrowsmithlodge@gmail.com
