Horse trekking and horseback riding in Queenstown | Ben Lomond Station Horse Trekking Company

Here at Ben Lomond Horse Treks Ltd, we believe that there is no better way to explore the breathtaking wilderness and scenery that New Zealand has to offer, than on horseback. This is the reason why 7 days per week, 364 days per year ("come on guys, we need a break") we are taking tourists and locals alike out on our treks so that they can experience this for themselves.

Whether its a slow walk around the beautiful Moke Lake, an exhilerating trek up the mountains or a step back in time to see the relics of the gold mining area, we believe we truley have something for everyone!

Our main priorites as well as our customers are of course our 23 & 1/2 horses! They love the treks as much as us. You will fall in love with them, either on their back or when you hug them, which they love too :-)

To cap it all off the owner (David), is giving away all his profits to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of his sister who died at the young age of 38 and left 2 beautiful children and a loving husband behind.

Ben Lomond Horse Treks is located on the other side of Queenstown Gondola which is a 15km drive away from the centre of Queenstown. In order to get to us we drive down the Glenorchy Road for 6km until we reach Moke Lake Road and turning right onto this road it winds it's way up into the mountains and onto Closeburn Station our first cattle farm.

This beautiful drive winds its way through grazing land and you will see lamb's and sheep by the roadside munching away on the lush green grasses for 3km until we reach the first of our lakes known as Lake Kirkpatrick. If you are a keen fisherman then this small lake is full of Brown and Rainbow Trout that despite being plenty in number are also very illusive and hard to catch!

If your lucky you may get to see some of the farmers working their dogs to herd the sheep for sheering or even the few cows that also graze on these lands. The Flora too is similar to Scotland with Thistles in plenty, Rose Hips, Lupids and Foxgloves. The very core of this area will take you back in time as there are no electricity cables or houses along this road. Time will pass you by and even your mobile phone will be useless in this mountain pass.

Past Lake Kirkpatrick you will see your first glimpse of the beautiful Moke Lake who's legend has it was named after the first donkey that came over the same route over 160 years ago. 'Moke' and his master stumbled on a Valley which was literally covered in Gold and this inspired a gold rush lasting over 100 years until the 1960's.

Nowadays Moke Lake is an area for farming and recreational activity and is also stocked well with fish. Duck's patrol the edges of the lake as well as the occasional Black Swan like bird, that i have yet to identify. Harrier Hawkes swoop inland in the search of Hares and these magnificent creatures are graceful and silent as their keen eyes fixate on every moving object in the hope that their next meal is not too far away.

Moke Lake is a famous spot for movie makers and filmers so don't be too surprised if you bump into an Oscar winning Actor/Actress on your way to the end of the lake, to the DOC camp-site and ultimately to our Stables. At the Stables you will be met by one of our 24 horses/ponies and guide(s). Depending on your trek you will learn about the flora and fauna in that area and be able to take many photo's of the scenery. If you go deeper into the Station you will also see and learn about the gold rush that inspired thousands of people to look for gold over a hundred year period.
Be transported back in time and look out for old sluicing pipes and lodges where the gold prospectors worked and lived until the 1960's.

We cater for beginners as young as 4 years of age to experienced riders that just want to cut loose and have fun so no matter who you are and what you want you will leave the Stables with a big smile and a lot of wonderful memories.