By Hamish Clark
A South Island merino sheep station has built one of the biggest back country hunts on private land.
The Lindis Ridge Hut is 1500 metres above sea level on Dalrachney Station in the Lindis Pass, and provides a chance for Kiwis and tourists to experience a high-country station and some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery.
A three-day walk track has been opened as a new private tourism venture.
“They can come and stay in this hut and it’s a day’s walk to the top hut, then a day back out to the homestead. But we can drive people up if they don’t want to walk,” says Rick Aubrey of Delrachney Station.
The track has a steep zig-zag – a white-knuckle ride that Mr Aubrey and his son Edward have made hundreds of times up and down the hills.
Once you hit the top, the views are stunning.
“Great spot up here,” says Mr Aubrey.
“That’s why we built the hut up here. We enjoy it.”
The hut has running water, a wood fire and can sleep 10.
At about 5000 feet, you can see Mr Cook, Treble Cone, Mt Aspiring and the Remarkables from the hut.
“This is probably one of the highest huts on freehold country in the South Island,” says Mr Aubrey.
“It’s an opportunity, and we would like to share it with [tourists] if they would like to come.”
3 News