SHEEP MUSTERING IN NEW ZEALAND – ALL INCLUSIVE WEEKEND FOR $695 c. 2011, Colleen Cowles
“There are three stragglers in the valley to your left!” my husband yells from the top of the next ridge. I can’t subdue my smile as I look at him, sitting on his horse in his half chaps, mustering 1500 sheep toward the next 500 acre paddock. The backdrop for baaing sheep is a mountain range with deep hues of hunter and lime green, with yellow wheat-like grass swaying in the wind in the foreground. A small stream meanders through the valley. This is 18,000 acre Beaumont Station, located 105 miles southwest of Queenstown, New Zealand.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, this definitely qualifies. There’s nothing polished about it. The mustering experience begins in owner Lynn Minty’s pickup, a working farm vehicle with two dogs riding in the cage in the back. The next stop is the pasture to catch the horses who are then tied to the back of the truck as Lynn slowly drives up the road, across a tenuous looking one lane bridge. Next stop is the tack shed where you saddle horses and begin your ride, followed by Wag, the barking dog and Nan, the border collie who will act as our assistants today.
Depending on riding experience, the option may be given to ride separately to cover a larger area, all heading in the same general direction to meet later. We could see one another in the distance, and periodically crossed paths to compare notes. Instructions were “ride in this direction, and if you see sheep, drive them toward the gate at the end”. The beautiful meandering creek resulted in a few interesting creek crossings on horseback. Rescuing one blind sheep who couldn’t see the gate opening required a dismount to pick him up to set him on the other side of the gate. All of these activities were optional, but it’s easy to quickly be transformed into the mindset of a true ranch hand.
The $225 pp mustering fee ($330 for a solo) includes the all day horseback experience and a sack lunch. Due to the remote location and to savor the full experience, the better option is the Sheep Station Exclusive Package at $695 pp which includes two nights
accommodation in the three bedroom cottage that used to be a farm hand’s quarters, a meal platter on the night of arrival, continental breakfast both days, the all-day muster, a Kiwi barbeque with the Minty family, plus your choice of a half day horseback ride or a 4 wheel drive tour, also including lunch.
Accommodations are not the Hilton, but staying in the former ranch hand’s quarters adds to the authentic experience. You won’t be faced with crowds here. Beaumont Station has accommodations for only one group at a time (sleeping a total of six maximum on any given night), with a limitation of five maximum on horse riding experiences. Staying at Beaumont Station as part of the experience is highly recommended, as other lodging is unavailable without a 25 mile drive, and Beaumont Station accommodations and hospitality are a large part of the experience. The cottage includes a full kitchen reminiscent of small town America in the 1950’s. If you plan to cook or want snacks, picking up groceries far before arriving is essential. The nearest grocery store is 8 miles away, and although the wine selection there is decent, the nearest fresh vegetables or fruit are in Winton, 25 miles away.
Previous riding experience and a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for those taking part in the mustering experience. If you don’t fit that description, several other excursions are available including 4 wheeling with Struan Minty, a 3rd generation New Zealand farmer, beginner horseback rides, and/or a high country champagne breakfast ride. Multi-day horse riding experiences up to 7 days are also available. Regardless of experience level, the personal attention and small group create a memorable, real experience
customized to you at an incredibly reasonable price. The horses at Beaumont Station are well trained, and the Australian stock
saddles make riding comfortable even for those like my husband who believe riding is not a sport made for men.
The Minty’s have operated Beaumont Station since 1982, and have offered tours since 2003. The feel is much more of a working station than a tourist destination. Lynn Minty, our hostess on horseback, shared her husband Struan’s disbelief when she suggested that tourists might enjoy helping with their mustering ‘chores’. Lynn is the embodiment of a hard-working, independent, real rancher, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get, extremely gracious woman. The entire Minty family opens their home and their hearts to visitors. It’s obvious that they truly love sharing their way of life and learning about the lives of their guests.
Contact:
Beaumont High Country Experience (Lynn Minty), Beaumont Station, RD 1,
Otautau 9689, Southland, NZ; tel. 03-931-9858 or 027 292 8204; e-mail:
info@beaumontexperience.co.nz; website: www.beaumontexperience.co.nz. Open seasonally from November-April, and
off season by appointment.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, this definitely qualifies. There’s nothing polished about it. The mustering experience begins in owner Lynn Minty’s pickup, a working farm vehicle with two dogs riding in the cage in the back. The next stop is the pasture to catch the horses who are then tied to the back of the truck as Lynn slowly drives up the road, across a tenuous looking one lane bridge. Next stop is the tack shed where you saddle horses and begin your ride, followed by Wag, the barking dog and Nan, the border collie who will act as our assistants today.
Depending on riding experience, the option may be given to ride separately to cover a larger area, all heading in the same general direction to meet later. We could see one another in the distance, and periodically crossed paths to compare notes. Instructions were “ride in this direction, and if you see sheep, drive them toward the gate at the end”. The beautiful meandering creek resulted in a few interesting creek crossings on horseback. Rescuing one blind sheep who couldn’t see the gate opening required a dismount to pick him up to set him on the other side of the gate. All of these activities were optional, but it’s easy to quickly be transformed into the mindset of a true ranch hand.
The $225 pp mustering fee ($330 for a solo) includes the all day horseback experience and a sack lunch. Due to the remote location and to savor the full experience, the better option is the Sheep Station Exclusive Package at $695 pp which includes two nights
accommodation in the three bedroom cottage that used to be a farm hand’s quarters, a meal platter on the night of arrival, continental breakfast both days, the all-day muster, a Kiwi barbeque with the Minty family, plus your choice of a half day horseback ride or a 4 wheel drive tour, also including lunch.
Accommodations are not the Hilton, but staying in the former ranch hand’s quarters adds to the authentic experience. You won’t be faced with crowds here. Beaumont Station has accommodations for only one group at a time (sleeping a total of six maximum on any given night), with a limitation of five maximum on horse riding experiences. Staying at Beaumont Station as part of the experience is highly recommended, as other lodging is unavailable without a 25 mile drive, and Beaumont Station accommodations and hospitality are a large part of the experience. The cottage includes a full kitchen reminiscent of small town America in the 1950’s. If you plan to cook or want snacks, picking up groceries far before arriving is essential. The nearest grocery store is 8 miles away, and although the wine selection there is decent, the nearest fresh vegetables or fruit are in Winton, 25 miles away.
Previous riding experience and a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for those taking part in the mustering experience. If you don’t fit that description, several other excursions are available including 4 wheeling with Struan Minty, a 3rd generation New Zealand farmer, beginner horseback rides, and/or a high country champagne breakfast ride. Multi-day horse riding experiences up to 7 days are also available. Regardless of experience level, the personal attention and small group create a memorable, real experience
customized to you at an incredibly reasonable price. The horses at Beaumont Station are well trained, and the Australian stock
saddles make riding comfortable even for those like my husband who believe riding is not a sport made for men.
The Minty’s have operated Beaumont Station since 1982, and have offered tours since 2003. The feel is much more of a working station than a tourist destination. Lynn Minty, our hostess on horseback, shared her husband Struan’s disbelief when she suggested that tourists might enjoy helping with their mustering ‘chores’. Lynn is the embodiment of a hard-working, independent, real rancher, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get, extremely gracious woman. The entire Minty family opens their home and their hearts to visitors. It’s obvious that they truly love sharing their way of life and learning about the lives of their guests.
Contact:
Beaumont High Country Experience (Lynn Minty), Beaumont Station, RD 1,
Otautau 9689, Southland, NZ; tel. 03-931-9858 or 027 292 8204; e-mail:
info@beaumontexperience.co.nz; website: www.beaumontexperience.co.nz. Open seasonally from November-April, and
off season by appointment.
