Welcome Rock - Garston - Southland (45 mins from Queenstown)


Slate Hut photos:

Red Shed photos:

Hiking / 4WD photos:

Opened in December 2014, Welcome Rock Trails offers half and full day guided walks, 4WD tours and overnight packages on a stunning trail on private land.

 

Welcome Rock Trails is owned and operated by Tom and Katie O'Brien. Tom's family have owned the farm since the early 1900's.


This trail is a single track, cross country mountain bike/hiking trail. Hand-built on one of NZ’s longest historic water races (water races were channels cut across a hillside bringing water from streams to places where gold was mined). We have called this trail ‘The Roaring Lion Trail’ as it follows the historic Roaring Lion water race. The gradient of the trail is only 5%, making it pleasant walking!

At Welcome Rock Trails you will find a truly unique Southern pioneering adventure from a historical and ecological perspective.

The guided walks take place on uncrowded private trail. The vast open spaces & stunning views and remote & native high country setting will impress and provides a unique experience.


Guided hiking and overnight packages

GUIDED SLATE HUT PACKAGE

1 – Night Package 

Guided Overnight Hiking trip with a night in the SLATE HUT  

 

((self-drive Or transport available from Queenstown or Te Anau. Guided Biking also available))

 

Enjoy an overnight experience at the Slate Hut. Our experienced local guide will escort you while engaging in native plants, animals and man-made remnants of the gold mining era. 

Enjoy one and a half days walking and an evening to yourselves at the Slate Hut and even soak in the outdoor bath.

 

Day 1:

• Transport option: 1 pm - Your guide will collect you from your accommodation (Qtown/Te Anau) and take you to the start of the trail.

• Self-drive option: 2pm - Meet your guide at the Historic Southland Ski Hut, Nevis Road, Garston.

• You will be guided to the Slate Hut walking 2kms. 

• A snack is provided for you during your walk.

• Guests spend the evening in the hut.

• Guests to cook their own Dinner – Dinner Barbecue Pack included.

 

Day 2: 

• Guests to cook their own Breakfast – breakfast barbecue pack.

• 9am - Your guide will be back to meet you at the Slate Hut

• You will be guided along the remainder of the trail back to the Historic Southland Ski Hut. This part of the trip can be custom made for the client. Options are as follows:

1. Walk the remainder of the trail (25kms or 19kms)

2. Walk to the Northern Boundary past Mud Hut & Tent Site (12kms)

3. 4WD from the Slate Hut taking in the surrounding area before heading back to the Ski Hut (starting point).

• Lunch is provided 

• Arrival time back to the Ski Hut (starting point) or back to town accommodation will depend on which option is chosen.

• An estimated time can be provided when we know the preferred option for day 2.

 

What to bring

Comfortable walking boots / shoes, a warm and waterproof jacket & trousers or shorts, warm clothing including a hat & gloves, sunscreen, energy snacks, water bottle, camera, day pack and walking poles if required. Anything required for an overnight stay in the high country.

 

Trip Information & rates: see details on the Rates Sheet


UNGUIDED SLATE HUT PACKAGE

1 – Night Package 

 

Enjoy an overnight experience in the Slate Hut. Engage in native plants, animals and man-made remnants of the gold mining era. 

Enjoy one and a half days walking and an evening to yourselves at the Slate Hut and even soak in the outdoor bath.

 

The Slate Hut includes: 

• Linen

• Pillows

• Blanket

• Towels

• Locally hand-made soap

• Basic cooking facilities

• A long drop outdoor toilet (30 meters from the hut)

• An outdoor bath (heated by clients using gas, takes 1 hour to heat)

• x1 double bed

• x1 bunk bed (top & bottom beds)

 

Day 1:

• Park your vehicle at the Historic Southland Ski Hut, Nevis Road, Garston.

• Walk to the Slate Hut walking approximately 2kms. (anti -clockwise)

• Cook your own dinner – (dinner Barbecue Pack included)

 

Day 2: 

• Cook your own breakfast (breakfast barbecue pack included)

• Walk along the remainder of the trail back to the Historic Southland Ski Hut walking approximately 25kms.

• Arriving back at the Historic Southland Ski Hut at approx. 5pm

 

 

Trip Information & rates: see details on the Rates Sheet

 


DAY TRIP – Guided HIKING

Full day guided Hiking trip from Queenstown/Te Anau

 

((self-drive or transport available from Queenstown or Te Anau. Guided Mountain Biking is also available))

A day out of Queenstown with our experienced, local guide will enlighten those with a keen sense of adventure, culture, place and preservation.

 

You will be collected from Queenstown/Te Anau at 7am and be transported to the settlement of Garston (traveling south along Lake Wakatipu) and up to the start of the trail (Historic Ski Hut Nevis Road, Garston). You will then embark on your journey along the hand built, single track trail. Arriving back in Queenstown at approximately 7pm.

 

Trip Information & rates: see details on the Rates Sheet


DAY TRIP – 4WD TOUR

Full day guided 4WD trip from Queenstown/Te Anau

 

((self-drive or transport available from Queenstown or Te Anau))

 

Off Road Army Jeep tours for between 2-8 people. Your main guide is Tom the owner and operator of Welcome Rock Trails on a private high country station an hour south of Queenstown.

 

The 4WD tour offers you the opportunity to talk with Tom and hear some great stories about the history of the land and people with amazing photo opportunities of the classic southern high country landscape. You will travel up the Nevis Road or through the farm (weather dependant). The chance to look at the Mud Hut (from a distance if guests are staying), see some of the classic New Zealand High Country and learn about Welcome Rock Trails (a hand built hiking/biking trail)

 

You will be collected from Queenstown at 7am and be transported to the settlement of Garston (traveling south along Lake Wakatipu), arriving back in Queenstown at approximately 5pm.

 

Trip Information & rates: see details on the Rates Sheet


Contact Details:

 

Welcome Rock Trails
Tom & Katie O’Brien
PO Box 45, Garston (45 mins from Queenstown)
Southland 9749
New Zealand
trails@welcomerock.co.nz
www.welcomerock.co.nz

Phone: + 64 27 239 2628


If you require high res photos, please contact us marijke@smartraining.co.nz