Overview Details Itinerary Departure Dates Book now

Cass Valley 4WD Backcountry Tour

Oct-Jun

South Island

Tekapo Adventures

from

NZ$349

per adult

Book Now

Group of travellers posing beside a 4WD vehicle with Lake Tekapo and Southern Alps in the background

Experiences

4x4 Adventure Tours

Family-friendly Tours

Half-Day Tours

South Island

Start: Aotea Gifts, Lake Tekapo

Location: Lake Tekapo

Travel Time: 3 hours

Details

Cass Valley 4WD Backcountry Tour – Scenic High Country Adventure from Tekapo

Embark on the Cass Valley Backcountry Tour, a scenic 4WD adventure through the high country wilderness of the Mackenzie Country. This tour offers private access to Glenmore Station, renowned for its Merino wool, and traverses the stunning Cass Valley. Experience breathtaking landscapes, including towering mountains, glaciers, and braided rivers, while learning about the unique geology, ecology, and history of the region. Highlights include viewing Merino sheep, Angus cattle, and Red Deer, crossing rivers and streams, visiting backcountry huts, and spotting endangered wading birds. Enjoy refreshments amidst this isolated wilderness, making it the highlight of your time in Lake Tekapo.

Flock of sheep grazing in Cass Valley with snow-capped Southern Alps in the distance

Tekapo Adventures 4WD parked outside a historic hut with waterfall and mountains in the background

Tekapo Adventures 4WD vehicle parked beside a remote hut in Cass Valley surrounded by rugged mountains

Close-up of Tekapo Adventures 4WD vehicle overlooking turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo

Tour group posing beside 4WD in golden tussock grass with dramatic Cass Valley peaks in the background

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Driver
Educational Tour
Light Refreshment
Light Snack

NOT INCLUDED:

Meals
Souvenirs

TOUR INFORMATION:

Departure: AOTEA GIFTS | Tekapo Township
Departure Time: 1:00 PM October – July
10:00 AM August – September (Winter Season)
Minimum of 2 People
Dress Code: Casual, Comfortable, Stable Footwear, Warm Jacket, Hat, Sunglasses, Camera
Availability: Year-round (including winter)

Tour Note: There will be opportunities for photos and breathtaking vistas to enjoy. Light walking to close proximity viewpoints for photos, so stable footwear is recommended.

AGE INFORMATION

Adult: 17 years +
Child: 16 years and under

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

More than 24 hours before departure: Full Refund.**
Within 24 hours of the tour starting: No refund

Note: **Refund excludes credit card or payment fees if applicable, which are non-refundable.

*Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.

Itinerary

Begin your adventure in Lake Tekapo, where you'll meet your guide and receive a safety briefing before embarking on a scenic 4WD tour through Glenmore Station, a vast sheep and cattle station starting from the banks of Lake Tekapo. As you traverse the Cass Valley, enjoy stunning views of the Hall Range, Rankin Pass, and Huxley Glacier. Pass the Glenmore homestead and follow the braided Cass River, heading towards the well-known "The Scorpion" ski trek loop. Along the way, witness Merino sheep, Big Horn rams, Angus cattle, and Red Deer. Explore the crossroads of nature with river and stream crossings, and visit remote backcountry huts. Admire breathtaking waterfalls, glaciers, moraines, and snow-capped mountains, and look out for endangered wading birds such as Banded Dotterels, Black Stilts, and Wry Bill.

Throughout the journey, learn about the unique landscapes, history, ecology, and geology of the Mackenzie Country. Pause to enjoy light refreshments amidst the spectacular scenery before heading back to Lake Tekapo, concluding your memorable high country tour.