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Cass Valley 4WD Backcountry Tour

South Island

Experiences

4x4 Adventure Tours

Family-friendly Tours

Half-Day Tours

South Island

Start: Aotea Gifts, Lake Tekapo

Location: Lake Tekapo

Travel Time: 3 hours

Cass Valley Backcountry Tour: Explore Glenmore Station's Alpine Wilderness

Departing from Lake Tekapo, the Cass Valley Backcountry Tour takes you through Glenmore Station—a 19,000-hectare high country sheep station rich in history and dramatic landscapes. Nestled between Lake Tekapo and the Lieberg Range, this privately accessed valley is a hidden gem of the Mackenzie Basin. Its glacially carved U-shaped valleys, steep scree slopes, and tussock-covered terraces create an unforgettable alpine experience.

Run by the fourth generation of the Murray family, Glenmore Station is renowned for its premium Merino wool and rugged beauty. Touring here offers a rare glimpse into the station's working life while surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most pristine high country. With each turn of the track, the Cass Valley reveals more of its raw, untouched character.

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

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

Discover Unique Natural Wonders and Rare Wildlife

This backcountry tour is a nature lover’s dream, with access to towering waterfalls, lateral moraines, and glacial remnants that tell stories of ancient ice ages. The valley’s braided river systems and alpine deltas are home to some of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered bird species. Keep an eye out for the Black Stilt, Wrybill, and Black-fronted Tern nesting in these secluded areas.

The natural landscape values found here are unlike anywhere else in Aotearoa, making it an essential stop for scenic explorers. The sense of isolation and grandeur throughout the valley is matched only by the unique biodiversity it supports. It’s a tour that delivers both rugged adventure and serene beauty in equal measure.

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 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.