Island Hills Station

30/10/2024

Tearing up the trails! 25 students and 3 teachers on the annual St Margarets College tramping trip to Island Hills Station.

19/10/2024

It's worth the early rise for this kind of view.

18/10/2024

Fantastic single trails with a different scene around every corner from open hill country farm land to dense bush, to sub-alpine mountains. There really is a bit of everything at the walking track.
North Canterbury, New Zealand. 1.5 hrs drive from Christchurch Airport.

11/10/2024

Walkers and horse riders heading out on seperate trails for the day North Canterbury, New Zealand

05/10/2024

The private farm walking track at is up and running for the 2024-25 season. Head to the website to check the availability calendar, there are still a few spots up for grabs! North Canterbury, New Zealand (1.5 hrs drive from Christchurch Airport)

26/09/2024

If you are in a group traveling to Island Hills Station we've got your transport options covered with the Landcruiser Troopy to get through the farm to the start point of the walking track.
You can also choose to book a custom shuttle service from Christchurch Airport with Tiger Shuttles.
Contact Terence Coakley from Tiger Shuttles
Ph 027 739 8251
[email protected]

24/09/2024

About halfway through each day of walking, our guests will come across little lunch shelters with a kettle and mugs for a cuppa. You can swap out those squashed sandwiches for a pasta, rice or freeze-dried " just add hot water" meal.
Plus there are nearby toilets to ensure a relaxing break from the trail.

22/09/2024

Time for these little chaps to find their nesting spots again, they prefer open braided creek beds in the back country and Island Hills Station has a couple of areas that seem to work OK for them. The trapping of cats, mustelids and hedgehogs is a big help for their success in raising chicks.
Black fronted Tern.

20/09/2024

A casual chat between mates, Barry and the Island Hills Station Bush Janitor. We often get asked if the Bulls are dangerous, Barry reckons that's sexism 😊

15/09/2024

Upgrading the hut BBQs and these beasts are really impressive. The griddle style means you can cook chops, stir fries, burgers, steaks and reheat roasts, etc without losing bits down the sides. The bonus is they are very easy to clean up. So when you are walking the Island Hills Track, don't muck around with those freeze dried nose bags! BYO chef or use the locals with our food provided options.

13/09/2024

Chaos when this lot hit Island Hills Station! Burst a radiator hose on the Landcruiser during their first evening 4wd tour and BBQ, extra large chilli bins of "refreshments" needing urgent delivery to camps, all 12 managed to fit in the hut shower at the same time and then email photo evidence of the feat to the poor old Bush Janitor.
It's a hell of a party on the Island Hills Track for these groups of mates.
MESSAGE THE BUSH JANITOR TO ASK ABOUT LARGE GROUP DISCOUNTS AND TRANSPORT OPTIONS.

12/09/2024

Renting a car to come up to Island Hills from Christchurch Airport? Follow the link to receive the Island Hills guest discount from Sixt https://corporate-guest.sixt.com/?sfid=001Vi00000KEYuP

11/09/2024

It's great to see the bird life thriving at You can help support our conservation project in the Mandamus Reserve via the Forest and Bird "Give a Trap" web page, link below. We are also keen to hear from potential trapping volunteers, especially those who have a 4wd, lots of common sense and keen on regular visits to this beautiful area of private land.

https://giveatrap.org.nz/groups/island-hills-station

30/08/2024

Your summer hiking adventure is calling! Weave through scenic forest, mountain veiws and low imput farmland just 1.5hrs drive from Christchurch Airport. Get a crew together and click onto the Island Hills Station website to veiw the reservations calendar. You only need a start date to secure a spot. Choose between 3 or 2 nights. Your hosts will transport your luggage and liquid refreshments between lodgings. Those cool swimming spots are complimented by a nice hot shower. See you at

21/08/2024

09/08/2024

Plenty of nice spots to stop for a cuppa in the bush at

09/08/2024

Experience the security and tranquility of a private walking trail with luggage transport between camps, daily contact with your hosts, hot showers, comfortable bunk beds and partitioned changing areas for privacy. We will even transport your chilli bin full of liquid refreshments! North Canterbury, New Zealand.

31/07/2024

Reserve a spot on the Island Hills Station Walking Track for the 2024/25 season. The track is open from October to mid-March

10/06/2024

15/05/2024

Some days ground based predator control hardly seems like progress, but then you hear the Tui's song and have Bush Robin, Fantail and Tom-tit following your every move. You feel like a worthy freind.

We look forward to seeing hundreds of feral cats and other predators taken in to The North Canterbury Hunting Competition next month

03/05/2024

What about Christmas at a back country hut?
This summer we have a rare opportunity to bring your people up to Island Hills for Christmas. This would suit a family group of up to 14, min 7 for exclusive, so get in quick before the small groups find out. You only need a start date to book. First night Cookhouse, second night Valley Camp, optional third night at Bush Hut.
We are going to stay open through the Christmas part of the holidays and take a couple of days off at new year.

30/04/2024

Having so many people enjoying the farm in one day was just so much fun and we even made the TV One news! We are still buzzing.
Big thumbs up to organisers Kate Brand, Rich Negus and Jon Holmes from Event Goals.

22/04/2024

Weather forecast looking good for race day Saturday, thanks to Russ from Canterbury Weather Updates for keeping us informed.

Taking place at the majestic Island Hills Station, Skedaddle is one of North Canterbury’s newest trail running events. With nature at the heart of the event, all proceeds will go towards conservation efforts in the Mandamus Preservation Reserve Trust, which includes the largest QEII Open Space Cov...