The Mesopotamia High Country Walk is an awe inspiring four day fully guided walking tour, which incorporates Mesopotamia and Mount Potts high country stations. You will experience soaring landscapes, snow capped mountain ranges and wide open tussock covered tundras. High country stations have a unique part in the history of New Zealand and the early pioneering characters have been immortalised in print in numerous books that have covered this era.

The region gained its early fame from the first owner of Mesopotamia Station – who was Samuel Butler – the renowned English writer and author of the brilliant satire Erewhon…… which was based on the wonderful landscapes found in this area. Your knowledgeable and friendly guide will entertain you with the history of Butler and the resilient families who broke in and farmed this wonderful land.

On the Mesopotamia High Country Walk you will…

  • Walk to the top of Mount Sunday to explore the film set of Peter Jackson’s blockbuster movie The Lord of the Rings…… and be totally overwhelmed with the view of wide open tussock covered valleys at the foot of the towering white capped Southern Alps.


  • Gaze at the picturesque Lake Clearwater surrounded by high mountain peaks as you walk to the enchanting Mystery Lake.


  • Be rewarded with panoramic views of the majestic “Two Thumb” mountain range of the Southern Alps.


  • Stay at the charming Mount Potts Lodge, which is the base for a range of heliskiing adventures.


  • Explore the huge expanse of Mesopotamia Station - when you walk along the top terraces of this iconic New Zealand farming environment.


  • Be entertained by the guide with stories of how the pioneers survived and prospered on this land.


  • Enjoy the rustic charm of your overnight stays in the comfortable high country accommodation.


  • Be in a position to spot fallow deer and chamois as you stretch your legs on the rambling farm tracks within this incredible backcountry terrain.

 

Features of the Mesopotamia High Country Walk:

  • You will be accompanied by an experienced guide and also an excellent cook.


  • All of your luggage will be transported for you. All you need to carry is your day pack and your camera. Clothing for all seasons is a must.


  • The tour begins and ends in Christchurch – the gateway to the South Island, with its own international airport.


  • There is comfortable, good standard accommodation, on all three nights.


  • All meals are provided for the duration of the trip and each night you will experience a variety of local cuisine. The atmosphere and ambience of the journey is an important part of the Tuatara adventures.


  • Four days of very special high country walking.

Itinerary

 
Day One
 
You depart from Christchurch and are transported to Mount Potts Station, situated at the headwaters of the mighty Rangitata River.

Your high country experience unfolds with a walk to the top of Mount Sunday, which is well known as the village Edoras in Peter Jackson’s blockbuster film The Lord of the Rings. Mount Sunday is a remote rocky hill in the midst of a flat grassland plain, hemmed in by towering mountains and winding rivers. The track makes its way to the plateau at the top, where you will be rewarded with stunning views as you sit on the prominent boulders and enjoy your lunch – right on the Lord of the Rings film site.

This evening you will spend the night dining and relaxing at the comfortable Mount Potts Lodge, situated beside the Southern Alps. The lodge is run by its own environmentally friendly hydro electric power. You could not ask for a more tranquil setting to complete your day.

 
Day Two
 
After breakfast you will head to Lake Clearwater, which is situated in a tussock covered mountain valley, at the foot of the Southern Alps.

While gazing up at the surrounding high mountain peaks and enjoying nature at its best, you will walk up until you reach the shoreline of the enchanting Mystery Lake…… where you will enjoy your picnic lunch. You should keep your eyes peeled for rainbow and brown trout (there are a lot of them!)…… amongst the rushes growing in the shallows of the lake.

This afternoon you will be guided along the ravine above the Potts River, with great views of the valley below and a fantastic panorama of Mesopotamia Station. The walk today finishes at the Potts River Bridge.

This evening is spent relaxing and enjoying the cuisine in a comfortable lodge in the Mount Somers area, between Mount Potts Station and Mesopotamia.

 
Day Three
 
On this day you will walk across the Brabazon near the historic Mesopotamia Station, looking back towards the Hakatere Station and taking in the remoteness and stunning backdrop of the bold mountains. You will also enjoy the musterers’ huts and high country streams as you wander along…… imagining the adventures experienced by the original pioneers.

After a peaceful lunch you will continue your exploration of the grand Mesopotamia property…… looking at the interesting variety of native flora and fauna. Your guide will be able to relate stories from the past that identified this iconic area.

This evening you will have an overnight stay in the Mesopotamia Station cottages. You will enjoy the rustic charm of these character buildings and relax within the secluded setting, set amongst the impressive Oregon Pines. It will be a great time to devour a lovely meal with your group - in the farmhouse kitchen of the old Mesopotamia Homestead. All in all…… a unique setting for a nice social evening.


Day Four

Your adventure will continue this morning after breakfast, when you are guided along the top terraces of Mesopotamia Station, with a backdrop of the majestic “Two Thumb” mountain range of the Southern Alps. From here you can admire the views that attracted Samuel Butler to the area…… and was the inspiration behind the writing of the satirical novel Erewhon.

The last part of your walk is spent within the game park where you are likely to spot fallow deer, red deer, chamois and elk. This 25,000 acre family run is home to over 11,000 merino sheep, 3,000 farmed deer and 500 beef cattle.

Your Mesopotamia High Country walking experience ends with afternoon tea and a drive back across the South Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

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