Overview

The Footsteps of the Hobbits tour starts with a candlelit dinner in Mountain Beech Lodge at Staveley. Accommodation is in the beautifully restored Ross Cottage, a historic building registered with the NZ Historic Places Trust.

The ecotour starts after breakfast. We travel by a 4WD coach up the Ashburton Gorge, stopping first at a historic limestone quarry cottage. Morning tea is at Lake Clearwater, a subalpine, glacial-formed lake. Then it's on to Potts Cutting and our first view of Erewhon - one of the great vistas of New Zealand (if not the world!). This vast alpine basin is surrounded by mountains - Ajax, Achilles, Exeter, Alma, Snowy Peak, Mt Potts and Mt D'Archiac.

A rapid descent into historic Mt Potts Station before leaving the road and heading cross country, first fording Deep Stream on our way to Mt Sunday. The 4WD coach drives up Mt Sunday leaving only a 10 minute walk to the summit where you can re-live the view enjoyed by the people of Rohan.

We enjoy a champagne picnic beside a mountain stream before returning to Staveley via a wildlife refuge lake and another high country station. Retire after a delicious dinner reflecting on one of the special days of your life. The next morning we'll depart after breakfast to return to Staveley.

Location

Christchurch (Canterbury - South Island)

This tour departs from and returns to Staveley.

Exact meeting point and supplier's details are provided immediately after booking.

Numbers

We operate this tour with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 people in each group.

Session Time

We start in the late afternoon on Day 1 with a full day ecotour on Day 2. We then depart after breakfast on Day 3.

Guidelines & Restrictions

Poor weather conditions may preclude access onto Mt Sunday. However we will always be able to drive to within 0.5 km of the mountain. No hiking experience is necessary but some fitness, agility and enthusiasm is required for the short walk to the summit of Mt Sunday.

You will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to travelling.

Extra Info

As wind conditions can be extreme in Erewhon, there is a need to have warm, protective, waterproof clothing - even in mid-summer. Tramping boots or stout walking shoes, sun hat, sun screen, insect repellent are also required.

Contact Us

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