Activities
If Staying At The B & B
Horse riding Escorted rides or simply hire the horses by the hour – exciting one, two or three hour rides. Longer rides by arrangement. Escorted rides - $40 per 1 hour; $60 for two hours; $80 for three hours per rider. Horse hire - $25 per hour per horse.
Kayaking On Blue Lake. Kayaks $10 per hour
Boating On the Blue Lake / Clutha River / Falls Dam. This can include biscuit riding/ water skiing. Costs depend on venues and time.
Fishing Locally – rods available for use – bring own licence or we can arrange for day to day licence.
Rabbit shooting – We can arrange for you to go shooting locally with or without a guide. (You must have a current firearms licence.) Costs on application.
Guided walk/tours $20 per hour includes transport. Come and relive the local gold mining history.
Art tutoring On site studio Oils or pastels. Costs depends on numbers and time. Individuals to groups of 6. From two days to one week.
Art studio Free use to guests in purpose built studio. Art materials by arrangement.
Swimming There are a number of places to swim locally – Blue Lake or local dams. Grey Lake by arrangement.
Gold Mining Surface Hill gold mining area. Gold pans available and a guide if required. Guide costs include travel. There are other areas which can also be used for gold panning but these are further afield.
Triathlon Track Open all year for mountain biking, riding or walking – ride the Ghost to Ghost triathlon track through old gold sluicing areas. Starts and finishes in St Bathans village.
Photography There are innumerable photo opportunities from the B & B itself and the local area. Winter wonderland to awesome Autumn. Local guide available.
St Bathans Fete Day Annually in early January. Come and enjoy the day with numerous stalls and activities.
Ghost to Ghost triathlon Held annually in March. Kayaking, mountain bike and run. Part of the course can be viewed from the B & B. Begins and ends in the St Bathans village (under 1 km).
Ice Skating There are numerous dams in the local area which can be used for free ice skating in winter. Ice skating rinks at Naseby (20 min) and Alexandra (40 min). Boots available for hire at these venues.
Other Activities Near By
These are all within 30 minute drive.
Historic Villages
St Bathans Village and walkway (within 1 km). Booklet available. Guided tours by arrangement.
Cambrians (5 min on Loop Rd) Cambrians, off the St Bathans Loop Road, was originally settled by Welsh gold and coal miners in 1863. Along Cambrian Road, a number of mud brick cottages still survive and are used today as holiday cribs.
Ophir (20 min off SH85 towards Alexandra) Historic gold town – booklet available at Post Office.
Matakanui (25 min off SH85 towards Alexandra) Historic gold town.
Naseby (20 min off SH85 towards Ranfurly) Historic gold town – International Curling rink and Luge – Golf course – mountain bike riding trails in forest – café and two hotels.
Ranfurly (25 min SH85) Art deco town – Rail Trail stopover - Golf course – cafes and hotel.
Wedderburn (15 min SH85 towards Ranfurly) Site of Grahame Sydney painting – Wedderburn. Country hotel – 9 hole golf course.
Goldfields Trail A number of locations with intriguing names such as Tinkers, Drybread, and Vinegar Hill, are worth visiting in the local area. Some still have remains from their gold mining past and others feature local cemeteries. Guided tours available.
Other venues / activities
Hayes Engineering (15 min SH85) Historic site of early engineering firm complete with original machines (all in working order for group – Section from Oturehua to Lauder (said to be the most interesting section with viaducts and tunnels. We pick up anywhere from Ranfurly to Omakau. The OCRT Trust website.
Curling (20 min off SH 85) International rink at Naseby. Open all year for all ages and abilities.
Luge (20 min off SH 85) Opening soon at Naseby– check for details. Open for summer and winter luge.
Art Deco - Ranfurly (25 min SH 85) Has an annual event in February. Township registered as art deco buildings etc permanent display open all year.
Otiake Conservation Park (10 min off Loop Rd) Extends over a wide area of the Maniototo through to Omarama. St Bathans section travels up Hawkdun Runs Rd and over the Western fork to Omarama. Suitable for 4 wheel drive (some sections are 2 wheel drive as well), horse trekking or mountain bike riding. Magnificent views along the Hawkdun Runs Rd.
Falls Dam (10 min off Loop Rd) Spectacular spill way and scenic river views. Gravel road access. Second access through the Otiake Park from Hills Creek. Fishing village on the shores of the dam. Suitable also for horse trekking .
Golf There are two 18 hole courses and five 9 hole golf courses within a 30 minute drive of the B & B. Information available at B & B. Golf club sets and trolleys (1 r/h woman or 1 r/h man) available for hire. See also Weekend Getaways.
Further Afield
Yachting We have a yacht available for use on Lake Dunstan (1 hour) or Falls Dam (15 min)
Skiing – downhill (Times are from B & B to be on the slopes ready to go) Cardrona – under 2 hrs, Treble Cone – under 2 hrs, Remarkables – under 2 hrs, Coronet Peak – under 2 hrs.
Skiing – Nordic Locally during winter (if snow lying) or Waiorau Snow Farm – Cardrona 1.5 – 2 hrs
Cavalcade Annually Late February – horses can be hired. Venues vary.
Rail Trail Middlemarch – Clyde We pick up and return free from Ranfurly to Omakau.
Blossom Festival Alexandra (40 min) Annually September.
Easter Bunny Shoot Alexandra (40 min) Annually at Easter.
Warbirds over Wanaka Wanaka ( 1.5 hrs) bi-annually at Easter. World famous air show with many veteran aircraft and displays.
Lord of the Rings Many sites within 1 hour. Owner took part in filming with 5 of our horses at the time.
Clyde Wine and Food festival Clyde (40 min). Held annually at Easter, includes art sale.
Thyme Festival Alexandra (40 min) Held annually in November – range of activities, arts, trails and market stalls.