Beyond the Fence: A Day in the Life on a High Country Station
Discover what life is really like on our 50,000-acre Merino sheep stations — from sun-up to sundown, this is the real New Zealand.
Tucked away in the Mackenzie High Country, our family has lived and worked this land since 1928. Today, we farm across Mt Hay and Balmoral Stations, managing 12,000 Merino sheep, 600 Angus cattle, alpacas, horses, and more. But what does an actual day on the station look like?
Morning: Sunrise and Station Life Begins
As the sun rises over the Southern Alps, the stillness of the morning is quickly replaced with movement — animals to feed, fences to check, and plans for the day. Our team meets early to coordinate farm work, visitor tours, and animal care. If it’s lambing season, we’re busy assisting ewes and checking paddocks.
Midday: Visitors, Tours & Hands-On Experiences
While the station is a working farm, we love opening our gates to visitors. Whether it’s a school group visiting the petting zoo or a couple on a guided horseback trek, there’s always a buzz of activity. Many guests are fascinated by shearing demonstrations or learning about our carbon-positive practices.
Afternoon: Sustainability in Action
Our commitment to regenerative and sustainable farming is more than just words. From native planting projects to reducing emissions through smart grazing, we work every day to ensure our land is left better than we found it. Recently, we were proud to achieve the highest sustainability audit grade available in NZ agriculture.
Evening: A Sky Full of Stars
As the sun sets and the high country quiets, we prepare for one of the most special parts of the day — stargazing. With some of the darkest skies in the world right above us, we host Silver River Stargazing tours that leave our guests speechless night after night.
