SHOTOVER MOONLIGHT GUIDED WALK

Explore the High Country with our two-day guided walk through private land.
The 2 day guided Shotover to Moonlight High Country Experience, with overnight accommodation, tracks deep into New Zealand’s spectacular high country on an exclusive wilderness experience.  Be driven up the historic Skippers Canyon Road before hopping on a jet boat which will transport you to the start of the walk.  

Traverse through the station using abandoned 1860’s gold mining water races. Explore the goldmining history and observe the alpine flora and fauna with your local guide Hamish who grew up on the station.  Learn about the unique high country story of farming super- fine-woolled merino sheep whilst preserving the beautiful tussock lands.  
Price: from $845 including gst.
Departures: From November - April
Grade: Moderate/Hard
Minimum group of 3 required for departure. 

Itinerary

Day 1 (6-8 hours, 15 km)
  • Pickup in Queenstown at your accommodation and drive up spectacular Skippers Canyon to the Pipeline Bridge
  • Jetboat through the Canyon to the start of the walk with Skippers Canyon Jet
  • Walk from Skippers Canyon to Moonlight Lodge along the Stoney Creek water race.  This spectacular water race was built nearly 150 years ago to carry water to the Skippers gold sluicing and in places is carved out of sheer bluffs (fenced for your safety of course!).  The highlight is the Stoney Creek siphon, 80 m above Stoney Creek.  The majority of the walk is on well-formed tracks which are in good condition.
  • Stay at Moonlight Lodge, enjoying superb high country hospitality.
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View the 80m high siphon over Stoney Creek built by the gold miners to fill the water races.
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Walk along gold mining water races
Day 2  (4-6 hrs, 9 km)
  • Scenic 4WD through the Moonlight Valley to 'Sefferstown', the heart of Moke Creek Settlement where 3000 people once lived while mining for gold. 
  • Walk up to the Ben Lomond Saddle, and if time permits, climb Ben Lomond (1748 m) before walking down to catch the Gondola into Queenstown.
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4WD on Ben Lomond Station
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The start of the guided walk

Why join us on our Shotover Moonlight Guided walk?

  • Exclusive private property - you'll be the only ones here
  • An exciting Jetboat trip to the start of the track included
  • Well appointed lodge with electricity and hot showers
  • Warm ensuite rooms with comfortable beds
  • Delicious meals provided
  • Knowledgeable local guides
  • Carry only what you need for the day - all your spare gear will be waiting at Moonlight Lodge when you arrive
  • Stunning variation in scenery from beech forest to wide open tussock
  • Rich gold mining and high country farming history

Reviews

Watch the video by Wiels & Toos of Holland who experienced the 2-day guided walk in March 2012

Terms & Conditions

A 25 % deposit required to confirm your booking (non-refundable). The balance to be paid 5 working days before arrival. All prices are in NZD and are inclusive of GST.

The guided walk is not recommended for children under 12

Ben Lomond Journeys reserve the right to change, amend or cancel bookings due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstance. In the event of such cancellation, a full refund will be offered.

We advise our guests to have comprehensive travel insurance to protect themselves against unexpected changes in travel plans.