| 25 Offering genuine station life immersion The journey to Dingleburn begins at the family-owned Lake Hawea Golf Course. Karen Phelps Historic 20,000-acre merino and Angus cattle operation Dingleburn Station has opened its gates to visitors seeking an authentic high country experience. The newly launched Discover Dingleburn offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in genuine station life while supporting the farming enterprise that has sustained the Mead family for generations. “This is your adventure, on our farm, in our part of the world,” says Brigitte Mead, encapsulating the philosophy behind Discover Dingleburn. “Rather than creating artificial tourist experiences, the farmstay invites visitors to participate in authentic station life, understanding both its beauty and its demands.” The journey to Dingleburn begins at the familyowned Lake Hawea Golf Course, where guests board farm vehicles for the legendary drive into the station. The access road, blasted from cliff faces in the 1960s by former owner Ian Sarginson, remains one of New Zealand’s most dramatic private roads. With sheer drops and rocky outcrops providing constant thrills, the 16-kilometre route serves as both necessity and spectacular introduction to the station’s remoteness. For those preferring a gentler introduction, guests can disembark to walk the final stretch around a headland to the shearers’ quarters as their luggage continues ahead by vehicle. The accommodation itself reflects the honest character of its surroundings. The renovated shearers’ quarters provide six bedrooms suitable for families and larger groups and the Cook’s Room offers intimate accommodation with private ensuite and entrance. Brigitte says that both options prioritise comfort without compromising the authentic high country atmosphere that makes Dingleburn special. MEAT & WOOL » Dingleburn Station “It’s the little details that count in a landscape as big as ours,” explains Brigitte. “Evening views from accommodation decks showcase the interplay of light and shadow across surrounding peaks and the sounds of station life provide a soundtrack unique to high country farming.” The farmstay operates seasonally, with hosted experiences available from January through May when guests receive full catering and on-site guidance. During these months visitors can participate in genuine farm activities including high country mustering, stock checking via four-wheel drive, animal feeding and wool shed tours. Watching working dogs move sheep across vast landscapes remains a highlight for many guests, says Brigitte. “Once people arrive at the station, it’s time to fully immerse themselves in the extraordinary life on this farm,” she says. “They can get stuck in with the crew on the farm or head off on a fishing adventure.” The Dingleburn River system, renowned among anglers, offers exceptional fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, and landlocked chinook salmon. Access to the Hunter River, Dingle Burn, Timaru Creek and Silver Island Lagoon provides variety for fishing enthusiasts, though some locations require fourwheel drive access. The station also offers extensive walking opportunities with detailed maps provided for self-guided exploration. Brigitte says the 30- kilometre station track provides excellent mountain biking terrain and additional Department of Conservation trails extend adventure options for more ambitious cyclists. For those seeking tranquillity, the lake shores and open flats provide perfect spots for reading and contemplation. “The scale of the landscape encourages visitors to slow down and appreciate subtleties often missed in more accessible environments,” says Brigitte. She says the farmstay embodies the Mead family’s commitment to sharing their passion for high country life while supporting the station’s ongoing viability. Following tenure review completion in 2007, which reduced the property from 60,000 to 20,000 acres and removed 4,000 stock units from production, alternative revenue streams became increasingly important. The involvement of parents Guy and Davida, sisters Nicky and Brigitte, and the emerging sixth generation ensures authentic family hospitality, says Brigitte. “For example station dinners with the farming team provide insights into high country life that no guidebook could capture. Stories shared over meals reveal the challenges and rewards of managing livestock in such demanding terrain and the camaraderie of station life becomes apparent to visitors lucky enough to experience genuine smoko conversations.” She says Discover Dingleburn demonstrates how traditional farming operations can evolve while maintaining their essential character, creating sustainable income streams that complement rather than compromise the farm. Better Fertiliser, Better Farming Wanaka/Canterbury Don Hart (CEO) 027 432 0187 don@topsoils.co.nz Top Soils balanced fertiliser programmes provide the basics for correcting each dierent soil to achieve excellent soil fertility, for the best possible yields and quality. You Can See the Di erence Sally Sim 027 321 3030 sally@topsoils.co.nz Canterbury James McCann 027 381 8856 james@topsoils.co.nz Canterbury Pleased to be associated with Dingleburn Station STOCK CARTAGE SOWING BULK CARTAGE ALLIED FUEL STOP UPPER CLUTHA TRANSPORT Luggate Ph: 03 443 8221 E: luggate@uct.co.nz W: www.uppercluthatransport.co.nz Proudly supporting DINGLEBURN STATION LIMITED
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