Non-Fishing Activities

Enjoy back–country horseback trekking on a real High Country Working Station with trails ranging from one to several days. Visit the famous limestone formations or experience the remote back country of the Waimakariri River Valley where you may see wild game. Share the Working Station with our shepherds, the sheep and the Angus cattle. Experienced local guides customise all treks to fit in with your requirements and riding ability.  

Pack a picnic and find a hidden spot on top or next to one of the magnificent limestone rock formations unique to this area. Named by early European settlers, the imposing array of limestone boulders is reminiscent of the remains of an old, run-down stone castle. This epic location is popular with rock climbers.

Only 5 minutes‘ drive from Flock Hill Station, the Cave Stream Reserve allows access to a unique experience where you can walk through a 594–metre long underground limestone cave. Within the cave, scour holes, terraces and waterfalls can be observed up close. A must–do if conditions allow, but make sure you bring at least one torch with working batteries, warm clothing and sturdy footwear as this experience requires walking up a stream. At its deepest point the stream is approximately one metre in depth. The cave can be traversed with care by inexperienced cavers. 

Walking and hiking tracks are in abundance in the local area and cater for all fitness levels. There are numerous walking tracks on Flock Hill Station, as well as in the Craigieburn Forest and Arthurs Pass National Park. All walks are well documented and showcase the scenery, which includes native beech forest and local wildlife. Advice, information on walks and maps are all available from Flock Hill Lodge’s reception area.  

Castle Hill, Craigieburn and the Cass Valley are becoming increasingly recognised as some of the leading mountain biking areas in New Zealand. There is an extensive network of mountain bike tracks between Castle Hill Village and Flock Hill. Flock Hill Station has its own range of tracks from gentle scenic rides to the infamous Constitution Track.

Flock Hill has a selection of maps and advice on the trails available in the area although the Lodge, but currently do NOT hire bikes. Please note that tracks on Flock Hill Station are reserved for guests only.

The world-famous TranzAlpine Rail Journey from Christchurch to the West Coast passes right through Flock Hill Station! With a stop just 30 minutes’ from our fishing/hunting lodge, this is an activity not to be missed!

Turn your trip into a fishing odyssey! Apart from working as a trout fishing guide, Ben Haywood is also a salmon fishing expert and runs sister company Braided Rivers Fishing Guides. Why not extend your trip and try your hand at salmon fishing in Canterbury’s unique braided river system after you’ve experienced the magic of Flock Hill?