Horse holidays abroad · New Zealand
Horse Riding in New Zealand: High Country Treks, Beaches and Film Country
Horse riding in New Zealand ranges from a single hour at a trekking stable to a pack trail of four or five days in the South Island high country or on the beach north of Auckland, on New Zealand-bred horses used to the ground.
- Best monthsDec to Feb
- Level
Novice to expert - Typical trip3 to 5 days
- Price guide
Higher
At a glance
What does a riding holiday in New Zealand involve?
- Best monthsDecember to February, the southern summer
- Riding level
Beginners to experienced, by ride - Hours in the saddle5 to 6.5 hours a day on multi-day treks
- Typical trip3 to 5 days, mostly riding
- Weight limitNo fixed limit on most routes; 95kg strict on one Glenorchy route
- Group sizeSet by the route; not published on most treks
- HorsesNew Zealand-bred, some Clydesdale and thoroughbred crosses
- TackStock and western saddles on North Island beach rides; mixed tack elsewhere
- AccommodationBackcountry huts, homesteads and glamping, by route
- Price guide
Higher for this kind of holiday, per person, before flights
The riding
What is horse riding in New Zealand like?
Horse riding in New Zealand ranges from an hour at a trekking stable to a week in the backcountry, with pack horses carrying the camp. Guided treks run for half a day, a full day or overnight, with tack, a hard hat and camping gear provided.
Most of the multi-day riding is in the South Island, around Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu, in the Mackenzie country and in the valleys near Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. The North Island has beach riding at Pakiri, north of Auckland.
Many routes follow old pack trails, mustering tracks and river valleys, on horses used to water and scree. Near Glenorchy you can ride past locations used in the Lord of the Rings films.
Glenorchy and the Dart valley
The Mackenzie and the lakes
Pakiri beach
Northland, Ruapehu and Otago
When to go
When is the best time to ride in New Zealand?
The best time to ride in New Zealand is December to February, the southern summer, which is the busiest riding season and has the longest days.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Autumn, from March to May, brings fewer visitors and often more settled weather, which suits a multi-day trek. The South Island high country is cooler than the North Island all year, with snow on the mountains in winter.
Pakiri rides through the winter on reduced days, and closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through parts of the year.
Your level
What riding level do you need for New Zealand?
A multi-day trek in the high country asks as much of your fitness as your riding. The days are long, and the routes cross rivers and rough ground. At Glenorchy riders can start from five years old on the shorter rides, and several multi-day rides take you as a fit beginner or an intermediate rider.
Novice
Intermediate
Experienced
It suits you if
- You are fit enough for five or six hours in the saddle
- You are happy to fly long haul for the riding
- You are comfortable camping or in a basic homestead
It is not for you if
- You have only one morning free to ride
- You weigh more than 95kg and want the Glenorchy route with a strict limit
- You want a fixed itinerary whatever the weather
Weight limits vary by route. One Glenorchy stable sets a strict 95kg and may weigh you on the day. The Birchwood Trail has no fixed limit, and offers a Clydesdale cross if you are heavier.
The horses
What are the horses and tack like in New Zealand?
New Zealand trekking horses are New Zealand-bred, reliable, friendly and easy to ride. The Birchwood Trail uses a tough New Zealand breed of 15.1 to 17 hands, with a Clydesdale cross for heavier riders. The Glacial Lake Trail uses sturdy Clydesdale and thoroughbred crosses.
Draught blood gives a trekking horse the bone to carry a rider and kit over rough ground all day. On Pakiri's North Island rides you sit in a stock or western saddle. On a pack trip the horses also carry the camp, which keeps groups small and the pace steady.
Where you stay
Where do you stay on a riding holiday in New Zealand?
Accommodation depends on the route. On the Heritage Ride you stay in NZ mustering huts, run as glamping. On the Birchwood Trail you stay at a restored historic homestead in the Ahuriri Conservation Park, fairly basic but comfortable.
The cost
How much does a riding holiday in New Zealand cost?
A four-day riding holiday in New Zealand is a higher price per person, before flights, and it stays a higher price as a longer trail adds more nights.
Birchwood Trail
Price guide
Higher
Glacial Lake Trail
Price guide
Higher
Rides we can arrange
Which rides do we recommend in New Zealand?
We know horses, and we know the people who run these rides. Tell us how you ride and where you want to go, and we will put you with the right one.
Glenorchy Back Country
You ride five days from Glenorchy into the backcountry, the longest of a range that also includes two, three and four-day treks. You also ride into Paradise Valley, a location used in the films.
Birchwood Trail
You ride four days in the Ahuriri Conservation Park at any level, even as a non-rider, on New Zealand breeds with a Clydesdale cross if you are heavier.
Pakiri Warrior Trail
You ride five days of beach and forest on the North Island, the longest multi-day ride on offer. If you want something shorter, a three-day route suits a confident rider.
Glacial Lake Trail
You ride four days in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, and you need only be a confident beginner or an intermediate rider.
Common questions
New Zealand riding questions
Where is the best horse riding in New Zealand?
For multi-day riding, the South Island high country around Glenorchy, the Mackenzie country and the lakes near Wanaka and Hawea. For beach riding, Pakiri on the North Island, north of Auckland.
Can you ride horses at the Lord of the Rings locations?
Yes, around Glenorchy near Queenstown. A themed tour follows the Dart valley, and other rides go into Paradise Valley, a location used in the films.
Can beginners go horse riding in New Zealand?
Yes. Riders can start at Glenorchy from five years old on the short rides, and several multi-day rides take fit beginners and novices.
What is the weight limit for horse riding in New Zealand?
One Glenorchy stable sets a strict 95kg. The Birchwood Trail has no fixed limit, and offers heavier riders a Clydesdale cross.
When is the best time for a riding holiday in New Zealand?
December to February, the southern summer, is the busiest riding season. March to May is quieter and often settled, and in winter the high country is cold, with snow on the mountains.
Do you need to declare your riding boots when flying to New Zealand?
Yes. Used outdoor equipment, including dirty boots, must be declared on arrival, and you can be fined on the spot if you do not.
Do you need a visa to ride in New Zealand?
UK passport holders need an NZeTA, an electronic travel authority, before they travel, and processing can take 72 hours.
Where to go next
Nearby, and next
Tell us how you ride
Tell us your level, your dates and the country you have in mind, and we will point you to the ride that fits.