Dates now available for next summer.
Book now for 2024 2025 season.
- Start Date Status
- Mon 20 Jan 2025
- Mon 3 Feb 2025
- Mon 3 Mar 2025
- Mon 17 Mar 2025
- Mon 31 Mar 2025
- Mon 7 Apr 2025
- Mon 14 Apr 2025
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This exclusive four day walk is a fabulous way to experience the rugged ranges behind Queenstown within the high country property of Ben Lomond Station. The walk extends through a variety of spectacular landscapes from tussock ridge lines high above the Shotover River to a hike along the sub‑alpine flanks of Ben Lomond.
You will explore abandoned gold mining relics, water races, razorback ridges, beautiful beech forests, and river valleys right until the finish.
- Experienced professional guide(s)
- Exclusive private property – you’ll be the only ones there
- Stunning variation in scenery from beech forest to wide open tussock
- Rich gold mining and high country farming history
- Carry only a day pack for your entire stay
- All meals are included, with delicious home cooked farm style 3 course dinners
- Twin/double ensuite rooms
- All Luggage transfers from/to Queenstown
Tour Itinerary
$3395.00
Day 1 Queenstown to Moonlight Lodge
Distance: 14km approximately
We will collect you from a central city pick up point in Queenstown around 09:00am. We drive a short distance to the Moonlight Track trail head to commence todays walk.
The Shotover Valley was an early Maori trading route to the West Coast which then became the site of one of the world’s most significant 19th century gold strikes. A narrow but well defined trail follows one of the most dramatic and scenic valleys in the Wakatipu Basin. The walk initially traverses high above the Shotover River, once called “the richest river in the world”.
Our route descends into the old gold mining settlement of Sefferstown which was a gold rush tent village with over 3,000 occupants at its peak in 1863. Named from its occupation by the large Seffers family (of Crimean/Russian origin) the village contained several stores, a hotel, post office and library.
Following Moonlight Creek, the trail undulates beneath bluffs with views of soaring tussock covered ridges and native forest before coming to a plateau where the impressive Moonlight Lodge is located, overlooking sweeping tussock terraces and stunning beech forest.
As day turns to night we savour the sun setting behind mountain silhouettes and a star-studded sky – one of the clearest and darkest skies in the southern hemisphere, and enjoy a delicious meal at Moonlight Lodge prepared especially for you by our chef.
The lodge consists of comfortable double/twin ensuite rooms along with open plan lounge and dining areas (licensed bar) which are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the large stone fireplace and commanding views.
Day 2 Moonlight Lodge to Blue Jacket Creek return
Distance: 11km approximately
From the lodge we climb up to and along the ridgeline which separates the Shotover River and Moonlight River valleys and offers you breathtaking views of the Southern Alps out over the Shotover river towards Coronet Peak famous for its world class ski field.
The panoramas here are spectacular and will delight you with the contrasting colours and contours that they generate.
Once we reach the head of Blue Jacket Creek we will have lunch and soak in the views. After lunch we walk back along the ridge and descend to Jones Creek and walk through the beech forest to Moonlight Creek and on to Moonlight Lodge.
Day 3 Explore Moonlight Creek
Distance: 5km approximately
Todays hike will take us deep into beech forests, exploring mountain streams and waterfalls. We discover the remnants of the gold mining times whilst walking along historical water races and tailings with glimpses into the rich gold mining heritage of the area, once home to over 3000 gold miners during the 1862 gold rush.
In Moonlight Creek a cooling swim is possible.
After a picnic lunch we return to our accommodation where the remainder of the afternoon can be spent enjoying the comfortable surrounds of Moonlight Lodge and the mountain vistas.
Time: approx. 4hrs with breaks
Day 4 Moonlight Lodge to Queenstown
Distance: Varied km
After a final hearty breakfast, we farewell our hosts and leave Moonlight Lodge. We hike back down Moonlight Creek to the old gold mining settlement of Sefferstown on the junction of Moonlight and Moke Creek. From here we follow the track all the way out to the picturesque Moke Lake. Moke Lake is a real gem showcasing some mirror like reflections of the surrounding mountains and grasslands.
From Moke Lake we then board our vehicle and return to Queenstown and the end of your journey. Hiking distance 14.5km
ALTERNATIVE HELI HIKE FINISH
Todays hike and magical views have the potential to be the highlight of the trip. A heli-hike takes us trekking far from the valley floor and into the extraordinary sub-alpine environment of Ben Lomond (1748m).
The skilled pilot will land us on the north west ridge of Ben Lomond and then we are left in silence. Depending on the prevailing weather and group ability, we will aim to walk through the tussocks up a broad ridge line to the summit of Ben Lomond, a climb of up to 500m. From here there are awe-inspiring panoramas of Lake Wakatipu, the distant Remarkable and Richardson Ranges, along with the mountains and valleys we have been exploring over the past 3 days.
We descend until we reach the Skyline Gondola, which provides a quick ride down into Queenstown and then a short walk to the central luggage collection point to the conclusion of the trip
Time: approximately 5 hrs
Please Note: The flight is subject to weather conditions; a minimum number of passengers and the payment of an extra fee. Please enquire as to the details involved and pricing.
Gallery
What’s Included
Accommodation
Moonlight Lodge is located deep in the Moonlight Valley behind Queenstown, overlooking sweeping tussock terraces and stunning beech forest.
The lodge sits 700m above sea level, so guests can anticipate cool nights and spectacular star gazing throughout Spring, Summer and Autumn.
Comfortable double/twin and multi‑share rooms all with ensuites. The open plan lounge and dining areas (licensed bar) are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the large stone fireplace and commanding views.
Accommodation is on a double/ twin share basis. If you would like to request a private room for the duration of the tour, the single supplement charge for the Queenstown Ben Lomond Walk is $545
Facilities:
- Open plan dining and lounge
- Mezzanine den area
- Large lawn
- Power is supplied by solar system during the day.
- A generator is only used in the evening if required
An experienced guide
The guides are very experienced, friendly walkers and bikers who love to share their knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history. They all hold current first aid certificates and are the very best people to ensure your experience will be one to remember.
Food
You will enjoy great local cuisine; breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, with restaurant quality delicious home cooked farm style 3 course dinners prepared by your chef in the evenings. If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, we are happy to cater for these, please advise the office of details when you make your booking. Alcohol is not included in the tour cost, but is available for purchase most nights.
Safety and Risk Management
To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders and fully qualified drivers. Tuatara Tours operate under a Safety and Risk Management Plan which is regularly audited and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.
Luggage & Transfers
Tuatara Tours transports all your luggage for the duration of the tour.
Tour Kit Bag Exclusive to Tuatara Tours
To ensure you get the very best out of your journey with the least of fuss, we provide you with a bag of useful goodies. This will be given to you at the start of your tour on day 1.
Access and Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
Testimonials
Amazing tour. Can't wait to book the next one.
Craig D.
5 Stars. Incredible scenery and a wonderful guide.
John B.
Thank you so much for your superb organisation of the Ben Lomond Walk. We all had a fabulous time