Welcome Rock Trails
Welcome Rock Trails
4.8
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Meet The High Country at Welcome Rock. Hike it, bike it, jeep it, sheep it or sleep overnight at it – a visit to Welcome Rock is a unique opportunity to see a real working High Country farm in action. A fourth generation farming family invite you to visit their 2000 hectare family-owned property in Garston. Just 45 minutes south of Queenstown, you can enjoy remote ruggedness in this nationally-protected area. At the base of Welcome Rock, our Green Jeep Tours and Walking Tours are a popular, adventurous way to take in magnificent panoramic views, our rich gold mining history and hear true family stories of working the land. Meet the famous Huntaway dogs that were bred for New Zealand’s rugged high country. Witch, Pip and Tubs love to lick, shake hands and ‘speak’ on your command. If you are up for a thrill, get on board our safe yet gravity-defying Green Jeeps as we take a drive. Or stretch your legs with our easy walking tour or unique cycling adventures.
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Welcome Rock Trails
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4.8
66 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
6
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Rachel H
Dunedin, New Zealand11 contributions
Jan 2022
We had never quite got around to riding the Welcome Rock trail, despite holidaying regularly in the Wakatipu Basin area... mainly because my husband didn't quite have faith in my single track riding ability! But we decided we wanted to check it out, because it looked so fabulous.
We parked and rode from the bottom gate (start of the Nevis Road), adding 6km each way to the overall riding experience. That was a decent haul up to the Ski Hut, which took around an hour. The trail itself is varied - it morphs from sections with rock/slate (requiring a bit more concentration), to great flowing tracks, numerous hairpin creek crossings etc. Sections were fast, others not so!
Loved all the places of interest along the way, which are well worth stopping at. We weren't fortunate enough to have a clear day - it was drizzly and overcast - so the views were compromised somewhat, but I'd imagine it would be a hot place to be on a typical Central Otago summer's day! The damp conditions made for a little bit of cautiousness over the slate sections.
We would recommend ensuring you have sufficient tubes, as well as tools for any possible mechanicals. We experienced three punctures (plus a slow leak/fourth, as we limped our way back down the hill to the car!).
All up, our ride was 40km return (to the start of the Nevis Road). A fantastic great day out, would love to return on a fine day, as well as hike it some time.
We parked and rode from the bottom gate (start of the Nevis Road), adding 6km each way to the overall riding experience. That was a decent haul up to the Ski Hut, which took around an hour. The trail itself is varied - it morphs from sections with rock/slate (requiring a bit more concentration), to great flowing tracks, numerous hairpin creek crossings etc. Sections were fast, others not so!
Loved all the places of interest along the way, which are well worth stopping at. We weren't fortunate enough to have a clear day - it was drizzly and overcast - so the views were compromised somewhat, but I'd imagine it would be a hot place to be on a typical Central Otago summer's day! The damp conditions made for a little bit of cautiousness over the slate sections.
We would recommend ensuring you have sufficient tubes, as well as tools for any possible mechanicals. We experienced three punctures (plus a slow leak/fourth, as we limped our way back down the hill to the car!).
All up, our ride was 40km return (to the start of the Nevis Road). A fantastic great day out, would love to return on a fine day, as well as hike it some time.
Written 30 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachelle
4 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
We were lucky enough to stay at the Red Barn in November 2020 as part of our Around the Mountains cycle trip. Honestly it was like arriving at a cosy oasis after our long day in the saddle. We booked the dinner/breakfast deal, and got so much food we couldn’t eat it all. Would highly recommend 😊
Fast forward to today, when we returned to ride Welcome Rock trail... almost don’t want to a leave a review and keep this amazing trail a secret!! The views were out if this world, the trail awesome and the history and relics dotted along the way just topped it all off. Thank you Tom and Katie for allowing us to experience a little part of your paradise. We’ll be back 😊
Fast forward to today, when we returned to ride Welcome Rock trail... almost don’t want to a leave a review and keep this amazing trail a secret!! The views were out if this world, the trail awesome and the history and relics dotted along the way just topped it all off. Thank you Tom and Katie for allowing us to experience a little part of your paradise. We’ll be back 😊
Written 17 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John M
New Plymouth, New Zealand8 contributions
Mar 2022
We mountain biked the Roaring Lion trail and we think it is one of the best one day MTB trails in NZ.
Well done to the team who created the trail, good single track with plenty of variety.
For those who don’t want to do the multi day, Ghost Road, Paparoa type rides, this ranks alongside them and it’s a one day activity.
The ride and the history boards and the huts make this a world class experience.
Unfortunately we had cloud cover for most of our ride, so we missed the views, but it was still worth the effort.
We took our time to enjoy the ride, read the sign boards, check out the huts and take in the experience, it took us 4.5hrs.
The best $20.00 you will spend.
Well done to the team who created the trail, good single track with plenty of variety.
For those who don’t want to do the multi day, Ghost Road, Paparoa type rides, this ranks alongside them and it’s a one day activity.
The ride and the history boards and the huts make this a world class experience.
Unfortunately we had cloud cover for most of our ride, so we missed the views, but it was still worth the effort.
We took our time to enjoy the ride, read the sign boards, check out the huts and take in the experience, it took us 4.5hrs.
The best $20.00 you will spend.
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rm1268
Sydney, Australia65 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
Red shed stay and mountain biking
The red shed is a wonderful place to stay if you are choosing to ride the welcome rock trail.
The cottage/ shed is well equipped and very comfortable with a great BBQ and the outdoor baths are wonderful .
The shed is a 10 km ride up to the start of the welcome rock trail which is a good ride if you are a keen climber.
The trail itself is awesome high country riding, with incredible views the whole ride.
The trail is true single track and very comfortable for those with good mountain bike skills. My wife is a fit rider but uncomfortable on such narrow track.
I would suggest hiking the track if you are unsure of your ability.
I will definitely also come back again to hike the trail and stay one of the high country huts.
A world class experience , thank you!
The red shed is a wonderful place to stay if you are choosing to ride the welcome rock trail.
The cottage/ shed is well equipped and very comfortable with a great BBQ and the outdoor baths are wonderful .
The shed is a 10 km ride up to the start of the welcome rock trail which is a good ride if you are a keen climber.
The trail itself is awesome high country riding, with incredible views the whole ride.
The trail is true single track and very comfortable for those with good mountain bike skills. My wife is a fit rider but uncomfortable on such narrow track.
I would suggest hiking the track if you are unsure of your ability.
I will definitely also come back again to hike the trail and stay one of the high country huts.
A world class experience , thank you!
Written 2 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria
Mosgiel, New Zealand10 contributions
Feb 2020
True back country biking on hand build trails. Stunning views which just go for ever. You bike thru old gold mining sluicing and you can also stay in some back country huts.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UBIQUE105
3 contributions
Jan 2022
Brilliant mountain bike loop track. Single track with reasonable skill level to fully enjoy. Took us about 3 hours on ebikes with a couple of stops to soak it in. Fantastic views and fascinating gold history. Highly recommend
Written 4 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil S
Lake Hawea, New Zealand83 contributions
Apr 2022
We were lucky enough to ride and stay at Slate Hutt. The track is great from a riding and historic perspective. It felt like genuine wilderness riding. The weather was brilliant and made the weekend even better. The views and sunset from Salet Hutt were awesome.
Written 3 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angus899
Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand6 contributions
Jan 2021
Awesome 27k mountain bike loop track. Got around it in about 3 hours on my ebike.
Fantastic views and interesting gold history on the area.
Highly recommend it. Will check out staying in one of the huts next time.
Fantastic views and interesting gold history on the area.
Highly recommend it. Will check out staying in one of the huts next time.
Written 27 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeKiwi
Wellington46 contributions
Aug 2020
A brilliant couple of days at Welcome Rock with the highlight being a night in the historic Mud Hut. Perfect solitude and stargazing and a crackling fire to keep warm. Fantastic trail to walk and wonderful hosts in Tom and Katie. Utterly recommended.
Written 28 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kellie C
Christchurch, New Zealand117 contributions
Feb 2021
Couldn't fault this overnighter. While a great day out if chose, we loved kicking back at the mud hut soaking up the stars, the views, the merlot which we got delivered thanks to the great delivery service and the historic info along the way. Loved it.
Written 8 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi , are the walking trails suitable for us older folks? We are looking for a day trip from Dunedin? What do you recommend?
Written 30 August 2019
Welcomerock
Garston, New Zealand
Hello, Thank you for your message. The self guided walking trail is a 27km walking trail so can be done in one day or you can stay overnight in one of our huts to break the journey. The guided walk is a short 2 hour farm trip with an incline and decline. Hope that helps. Please email or call us anytime. Thanks, Katie
Written 30 August 2019
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