Nokomai Station, Southland

Nokomai Station is a high country sheep and cattle station situated one hours drive from Queenstown and Te Anau. Nokomai was first settled in 1857 by Donald Cameron, a Scottish settler, and is currently owned by the Hore family. Nokomai is one of the larger properties in New Zealand and is well known for both its farming and gold mining history. Another feature is the Mataura River, a world famous trout fishing river, which winds its way through the southern end of the property.

.... The location is a ruralist's dream and the drive in no less so. Leaving the Queenstown road, you criss-cross the Mataura River three times before turning along the banks of Nokomai Creek and onwards to the farm, which sits at the end of a light-filled valley.

Accommodation is in four comfortable, purpose-built cottages where you can either self-cater or have your meals provided. There is plenty to do here; it is not a place to arrive at 6 and leave at 8 the next morning. You can watch the seasonal farm activities, walk forever, borrow mountain bikes, or fish for trout on the famous Mataura River (20km of which runs through the property).

Your hosts can also arrange 4x4 trips, horse treks into the hills or, most glamorously, you can go ‘flightseeing’ with Nokomai helicopters. You can hire man and machine to go just about anywhere (Milford Sound’s within range) and for almost any activity: hunting wild pig, farm tours or he’ll even drop you on a mountain top at sunset with a bottle of champagne.