Wild Horses & Backroads to Glenorchy

Depart Queenstown aboard a classic Wild Rovers Defender and journey the legendary road to Glenorchy, stopping along the way for scenic viewpoints, hidden backcountry spots and lakeside photo opportunities. In Glenorchy, you’ll join the team at Lighthorse Adventures for a relaxed 1.5 hour horseback ride through braided rivers, open valleys and native beech forest beneath the surrounding mountain ranges. Full guidance, training and safety equipment are provided, making the experience suitable for both beginners and experienced riders. Following the ride, enjoy a Wild Rovers-style backcountry picnic with locally sourced produce, a glass of Central Otago wine, camp coffee & refreshments before the scenic drive back to Queenstown.

Experience the untamed beauty of Glenorchy and New Zealand’s high country on a small-group backcountry adventure designed to slow things down and take you beyond the usual tourist trail. Your journey begins in Queenstown aboard one of The Wild Rovers’ classic Land Rover Defenders, traveling the legendary road to Glenorchy, a winding alpine drive considered one of the most scenic in the world. Along the way, we stop at hidden lookouts, mountain viewpoints and lakeside locations that showcase the raw beauty of the Southern Alps and Lake Whakatipu. Once in Glenorchy, you’ll join the crew at Lighthorse Adventures for a relaxed 1.5 hour horseback ride through braided glacial rivers and wide open valley floors beneath towering mountain ranges. With full guidance, training and safety gear provided, the experience is suitable for both first-time riders and experienced adventurers alike. These landscapes have become world-famous for their cinematic beauty, but what makes them truly unforgettable is the feeling of being immersed within them, quiet, expansive and completely untamed. Following the ride, The Wild Rovers prepares a backcountry picnic lunch and camp coffee in the heart of Glenorchy. Expect locally sourced cheeses, cured meats, seasonal produce, Central Otago wine and refreshments, all enjoyed amongst the mountains before the return journey home. This is a relaxed and unforgettable way to experience the wild side of Aotearoa, combining open roads, horseback riding, local food and some of the most breathtaking scenery in New Zealand.