Small-Group 4WD, Carbon Positive

Lake Tekapo Guided 4WD Tours (Small Group, Carbon Positive)

7 reviews

from $221 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: Lake Tekapo
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
On board: Light refreshments included
Run by: Silver River Stargazing

Overview

This three hour trip takes you up Mount Hay Station, a working Merino sheep farm about 5km from Lake Tekapo that has been run by the same family for nearly a century. You ride in farm four wheel drive vehicles built for the terrain, with local guides explaining station life as you climb farm tracks toward the summit of Mount Hay.

The route is packed in. Expect to pass a tarn where birdlife gathers, travel through scenery around Mount Edward and the Tekapo saddle, then climb Mount Hay for views back over Lake Tekapo township, Mount John, the lake itself and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Phantom Lagoon follows, with light refreshments served there, before stories about Boundary Creek Hut and a steep descent back into town with the lake spread out below.

The farm itself is a big part of the appeal. The station spans 50,000 acres and carries 12,000 Merino sheep, 700 Angus cows, 30 alpacas, 25 horses and 15 working dogs, plus wild animals such as tahr and hawks. Several reviewers mention learning a lot about local and farm life, and the views draw praise across the board. It suits travellers who want high country views and farm stories without a long hike.

Three travellers in light jackets stand on a stony Lake Tekapo beach, looking across turquoise water toward snow-streaked mountains.

What's Included

Included

3 hour 4WD tour of the Mt Hay station with guide
Expert local knowledge of Tekapo and farm stations
Light refreshments within the tour
Exclusive access to private land of 50,000 acres farmland

Itinerary

Meet at Darchiac DriveThe tour starts and ends at 48 Darchiac Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999. Make your own way there, as no pickup is provided.
Drive onto Mt Hay StationBoard a farm four wheel drive vehicle and head into the 50,000 acre station, with the guide giving background on the property along the way.
Tarn and Tekapo saddlePass one of the farm's tarns, a spot for birdlife, and travel through scenery around Mount Edward and the Tekapo saddle. Watch for farm animals and wildlife.
Climb Mount HayThe vehicle climbs to the top of Mount Hay for views over Lake Tekapo township, Mount John, the lake and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Phantom Lagoon stopStop at Phantom Lagoon, where light refreshments are served, before hearing the stories of Boundary Creek Hut.
Descent to Lake TekapoThe return runs down a steep descent with views along Lake Tekapo, finishing back at 48 Darchiac Drive roughly 3 hours after departure.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of a tour that spends most of its time on rough farm tracks in open high country.

Where this tour sits among 5 tours in Local Tekapo Experiences listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Carbon Neutral Mt Cook Day Tour$153
Small-Group 4WD, Carbon Positive (this tour)$221
Cass Valley Wilderness Tour$237.70
Backcountry 4WD With Pickup$237.70
Lupin Flowers Scenic Tour$237.70

Bring a camera. The booking page is blunt about this: do not forget your camera. Views from Mount Hay stretch to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, and reviewers repeatedly call the scenery a highlight of the trip.
Prepare for the ride. The vehicles cross genuine 4WD tracks, and the booking page tells you to hold on to your seats during the climb of Mount Hay and the steep descent back to town. Sit back and let the vehicle do the work.
Refreshments included. Light refreshments are served during the stop at Phantom Lagoon. Treat this as a snack stop rather than a meal, and eat beforehand if you want more than a small bite.

Visitors seen from behind at the Lake Tekapo shore looking toward a small stone church at dusk.

Guides set the tone. Several reviewers describe the guide as knowledgeable and informative, with some noting how much they learned about Tekapo and farm life. The guides are local, so expect background on the station and the area throughout the drive.
Rough ride sections. The vehicles cross genuine 4WD tracks and the booking page describes holding on during the climb and a steep descent back to town. It is a vehicle based tour, so no hiking fitness is needed, but the ride can be bumpy.
Wildlife watching. The station carries Merino sheep, Angus cows, alpacas, horses and working dogs, and wild animals including tahr and hawks also live on the property. Keep watch as you drive, since the booking page highlights spotting these animals among its highlights.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. No hotel pickup is provided, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point at 48 Darchiac Drive. The tour runs on 4WD tracks and finishes with a steep descent, though the booking page does not state restrictions on who can take part.

Common Questions

How Long Is The Tour?

The tour runs for 3 hours, from the meeting point at 48 Darchiac Drive and back again. That includes the farm drive, the Mount Hay climb, the Phantom Lagoon stop and the descent into town.

Is Pickup From My Hotel Included?

No. Pickup is not included, and the tour starts and ends at 48 Darchiac Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999. You need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers the 3 hour guided 4WD tour of Mt Hay Station, a local guide, light refreshments during the tour, and exclusive access to the station's private farmland. The booking page does not list any additional exclusions.

What Will I See On The Tour?

Expect views over Lake Tekapo township, Mount John, the lake and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park from the top of Mount Hay, plus Phantom Lagoon and the tarns around the farm. Farm animals include Merino sheep, Angus cows, alpacas, horses and working dogs, with wildlife such as tahr and hawks also possible.

Do I Need To Be Fit Or Hike?

No hiking is involved, as the whole tour is vehicle based on farm 4WD tracks. That said, the ride can be rough, with the booking page describing a steep descent back to town.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.