The sheer variety of landscapes across the Mackenzie Country never stops amazing us.
These two photos were taken just around the corner from each other — yet they feel like completely different worlds.
That’s the magic of this region.
Vast alpine basins, rugged mountain valleys, golden tussock country, glacial lakes, and dramatic Southern Alps scenery all woven together into one unforgettable landscape. 🇳
And have you heard?
We’ve opened up a whole new corner of the Mackenzie for exploring.
Our new Twizel & Lake Ōhau Backcountry Tour takes you deep into remote high-country landscapes rarely experienced by visitors — showcasing the raw beauty, solitude, and scale that make this region so special.
If you love wild scenery, hidden places, and authentic backcountry adventure, this one is for you.
Come explore the Mackenzie with us.
#MackenzieCountry #Twizel #LakeOhau #SouthernAlps #BackcountryAdventure #ExploreNZ #NewZealand #HighCountry #ScenicNewZealand #AdventureTravel #WildPlaces #TekapoAdventures
Just recently, we ventured deep into the heart of the wild Mackenzie Country for an unforgettable alpine hiking journey through the spectacular Cass Valley on Glenmore Station.
Together, we explored vast alpine basins, crossed glacial valleys, climbed into the rugged high country, and stood surrounded by the raw beauty that makes this part of New Zealand so special.
There were shared laughs along the route, moments of challenge, quiet reflection amongst the mountains, and stories swapped over a warming whisky as the sun disappeared behind the Southern Alps.
What began as a group of hikers returned as a group of mates — connected by adventure, wild landscapes, and memories forever etched into our hearts.
This is the magic of the Mackenzie.
Big landscapes. Genuine connection. Real adventure.
Some journeys stay with you long after the boots come off. ✨
Check out our unique small group Hiking Trips to travel like a real Kiwi.
#MackenzieCountry #LakeTekapo #HikingNewZealand #SouthernAlps #CassValley #BackcountryAdventure #ExploreNZ #AlpineHiking #NewZealandAdventure #WildPlaces #AdventureTogether #HighCountry #TekapoAdventures
This week is about something bigger than travel.
It’s about protecting what’s rare.
Out here in the Mackenzie High Country, we’re lucky enough to spend our days in landscapes that still feel untouched — vast, quiet, and deeply alive.
Places where braided rivers shift with the seasons, where alpine light changes by the minute… and where one of the world’s rarest birds still survives.
The kakī / black stilt isn’t just a sighting — it’s a privilege.
A species found nowhere else on earth, holding on in these remote river systems.
What makes these moments even more special is that they’re not accessible to most.
Through long-standing relationships and exclusive private high-country access, we’re able to take guests into landscapes few ever experience — and share the stories that matter.
Because true luxury out here isn’t just comfort —
it’s space, scale, solitude… and connection to something real.
And with that access comes responsibility.
To tread lightly.
To protect what’s fragile.
To ensure these places — and species like the kakī — are here long into the future.
This is what Conservation Week means to us.
#ConservationWeek #Kakī #BlackStilt #MackenzieCountry #LakeTekapo #AorakiMountCook #NewZealandNature #LuxuryTravelNZ #SustainableTravel #ProtectWhatMatters #HiddenNewZealand #TekapoAdventures #HighCountry #NZWildlife #OffTheBeatenTrack
Out here, it’s all about the simple things—crisp mountain air, fresh alpine water, and the authentic charm of the high country (sheep poo included).
Because the real New Zealand isn’t polished—it’s experienced.
#MackenzieCountry #LakeTekapo #NewZealand #ExploreNZ #NZMustDo #PureNewZealand #TravelNZ #VisitNewZealand
Ready to experience the Mackenzie Country in its full breathtaking beauty? Away from the busy routes and stop in areas- you'll find a whole new part of the South Island many never get to explore.
Join us for a scenic 4WD journey into New Zealand’s most breathtaking landscapes, were just a phone call or click away :)
A long time ago — before kids, as we were creating Tekapo Adventures— there were years spent simply exploring the Mackenzie Country.
Long days tramping through remote alpine terrain.
Camping under vast, starlit skies.
4WD journeys deep into hidden valleys.
And meeting the kind of people that make this place what it is — genuine, resilient, and deeply connected to the land.
It was during those early years that Tekapo Adventures truly began to take shape.
And somewhere along the way… we adopted our first “child.” 🐑
A Merino lamb from Glenmore Station — we named him Larry.
Larry became part of the adventure.
We took him hiking deep into remote areas of The Mackenzie — up the Cass Valley — and he just followed along like a natural. ( as he was)
Scrambling over terrain, keeping pace, completely at home in the high country.
He showed us just how incredible Merinos are — and how perfectly adapted they are to this wild, beautiful land they call home.
These were the early days, Raw, simple, and full of discovery.
Here are a few snapshots from those times — exploring the Mackenzie with a baby Merino who was So part of the crew. Something unique on your scroll today!
#TekapoAdventures #MackenzieCountry #HighCountryLife #Merino #NZStories #macpac @explorecassvalley
In the braided rivers, alpine tarns and vast alpine landscapes of the Mackenzie Country lives one of the rarest birds on earth — the Kākī, or Black Stilt.
Black Stilt
A symbol of this fragile, remarkable environment we’re privileged to explore.
Our journeys aren’t just about what you see — but how you experience it.
We proudly embrace the Tiaki Promise — caring for the land, wildlife, and people of Aotearoa.
That means:
Respecting fragile ecosystems
Protecting rare wildlife like the Kākī
🏔 Leaving these landscapes as we found them
Because the true beauty of this place is something to protect — not just admire.
#TiakiPromise #Kākī #BlackStilt #TekapoAdventures #ProtectOurPlanet
The Mackenzie Country is vast —
but the most extraordinary places aren’t found on a map.
They’re hidden behind private gates, deep within alpine valleys, and far beyond the reach of public roads.
At Tekapo Adventures, we unlock those places.
From exclusive 4WD access across private stations, to guided hikes into remote glacial terrain — every journey is carefully crafted to feel personal, immersive, and completely off the grid.
This is the real high country.
#MackenzieCountry #Aoraki #LuxuryTravelNZ #ExploreNZ
Alpine Tarns of the Mackenzie Country
Hidden high above the valley floors, scattered across the Mackenzie high country, lie some of the most untouched places in New Zealand — alpine tarns.
Still. Silent. Perfectly clear.
These small mountain lakes sit quietly amongst golden tussock and rugged rock, reflecting the sky and peaks around them like glass.
No crowds. No tracks. Just space, wind, and the feeling of being somewhere truly remote.
Getting here isn’t easy — and that’s the point. Raw, remote, and uniquely Mackenzie.
It’s the journey into the backcountry that makes these places so special.
@braemarstation
#TekapoAdventures #MackenzieCountry #AlpineTarns #NZBackcountry #ExploreNZ #HiddenNZ #SouthernAlps #RealNewZealand
Journey Into the High Country – Ryders Hut, Cass Valley
This is the real Mackenzie Country.
Raw. Remote. Untouched.
There’s something special about journeying deep into the backcountry and arriving at a place that hasn’t changed in decades.
Hidden in the remote Cass Valley, Ryders Hut sits quietly beneath the Southern Alps — a small, weathered musterer’s hut that tells the story of New Zealand’s high-country pioneers.
Built for function, not comfort, huts like this were once home to shepherds working long seasons in isolation — moving stock through vast alpine basins, facing harsh weather, and relying on skill, grit, and their dogs.
Today, stepping inside feels like stepping back in time:
Rough timber walls
Old cooking spaces
The stillness of a place shaped by hard work and simplicity
The journey to get here is just as powerful as the destination — crossing braided rivers, winding through golden tussock, and pushing deeper into land few people ever see.
Places like Ryders Hut aren’t just stops on a map — they’re part of the story of the high country.
#TekapoAdventures #MackenzieCountry #HighCountryHuts #BackcountryNZ #CassValley #NZHistory #AdventureCulture #RealNewZealand Mackenzie Region, @exlplorecassvalley
🐑 AUTUMN IN THE HIGH COUNTRY
Join us on our Autumn Muster Photography Tour and head beyond the public roads, into private stations where few get to go. Explore the oh so beautiful Cass Valley on Glenmore Station with us for a full day of capturing scenic landscapes and unique subject matters in wonderful nature.
There’s only one time of year this happens…
Deep in the Mackenzie backcountry, shepherds and their dogs bring thousands of Merino sheep down from the alpine basins before winter sets in — a raw, real moment of New Zealand high-country life.
📸 Capture the movement, the landscapes, and the story
🏔️ Towering peaks, golden tussock, glacial rivers
🐕🦺 Working dogs in full flow
Its the real deal. April 1st ( weather dependent) 9:30 AM , Lake Tekapo
Book online through our website, April 1st 9:30 am Autumn Muster Photography Tour!
#TekapoAdventures #AutumnMuster #MackenzieCountry #NZBackcountry #RealNewZealand #AdventurePhotography #HighCountryLife
The last few days in the Mackenzie backcountry have been something special ✨
Big skies. Remote valleys. Braided rivers winding through golden high-country landscapes.
Our guests have been exploring private stations far beyond the usual tourist routes — crossing rivers in our legendary Toyota Troop Carrier, visiting historic musterers’ huts, standing beside alpine tarns, and soaking up uninterrupted mountain views.
There’s something powerful about spending a day out here — no crowds, no rush, just space to breathe.
If you’re in Tekapo or Twizel and looking for something truly different, come and experience the backcountry with us.
A day out you won’t forget.
#tekapoadventures #mackenzienz #braemarstation #cassvalleybackcountrytour
