Nothing like taking a picnic out to a beautiful place...

There are so many beautiful places close to here we cant list them all. Here are some of our favorites.

Of course if you are here for an extended stay then there are many more that we will be happy to suggest for further adventures

Thompson's Gorge

An easy day's expedition from the Hill House, take a picnic or lunch at one of the great cafes in the heart  of Central Otago. The highest point of the road is at 900 meters elevation and is often snowed over during winter so Spring to Autumn is the best time for this excursion. It is a dirt road but generally passable in 2WD. Along the way there are old gold diggings and equipment to explore, breathtaking views, great picnic spots and beautiful streams. Spare a thought for the miners who walked this pass carrying their possessions in a wheel barrow on the way to the Bendigo gold fields.

At end of the gorge road a right turn onto Hwy 85 will point you back towards to the Hill House. You can stop for great food at the Chatto Creek pub, take a break for coffee and a snack in Old Clyde town  and pick up some groceries in Cromwell on the way home. Alternately, if you are keen to keep exploring turn left on Hwy 85 and head for St Bathens an historic mining village from days gone by. You will probably return through Chatto creek so all the previous options will still be available. All the while you will surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet, long or short it will be a great day.

The gorge road starts in the Ardgour valley which is visible from the house across the river to the South East. To get there from the Hill House turn left onto Hwy 6 drive through Luggate and turn right onto Shortcut road Hwy 8A follow 8A over the red bridge and then right towards Tarras. 8A ends at a T intersection with Hwy 8, turn right and travel towards Cromwell. Just after the Lindis River crossing turn left onto Ardgour road. Travel along ardgour road untill the hard left turn, Thompsons gorge road runs on directly ahead. The gates on the rout should be left as you find them.

Thompsons Gorge road is best driven with at least one companion because there are 29 gates to open and close. We still think it is well worth it!

Duffers Saddle and the Nevis Valley

An easy day's expedition from Hill House, take a picnic lunch and drinks with you. After Bannockburn there is nowhere to buy food also make sure you have enough fuel before you leave Cromwell.

Duffers Saddle is the highest public road in New Zealand and so is the only public opportunity to see the real high country by car. As you ascend the mountain you will notice distinct changes in flora and fauna along with the magnificent views it makes for a great day out. From Duffers Saddle the road takes you down into the Nevis valley where you can stop for lunch by the river.  The complete lack of commercial activity in the valley lets you become immersed in the real country New  Zealand.

To get there from Hill House turn right onto Hwy 6 and head towards Cromwell, carry on past Cromwell to Bannockburn and then through Bannockburn on Bannockburn road.  You will come to a hard left hand turn and there you will see the Nevis road on the right. It is a dirt road that is closed for snow during winter. From late spring to Autumn the road is generally passable in 2WD from the Bannockburn side past Duffers Saddle and through until the small settlement at the far end of the valley. Beyond here the road crosses many fords that can be deep and only passable in a convoy of hard core 4WD, so unless you are prepared for that you will need to retrace your steps to Bannockburn. For those in a position to crack on the road eventually reaches Hwy 6 where a right turn will take you via Kingston, Frankton and Cromwell back to the Hill House. The rout via Kingston makes it a long day.

The Haast Pass and the West Coast

The Haast Pass takes you across the dividing range from Central Otago to the West Coast. The change in vegetation and scenery is stunning, it's hard to believe you are in the same country.

You can make this a half day or full day trip. The short version will show you the dramatic change in climate and vegetation of the west coast and the longer version will take you to the sea. Food and fuel are both available on rout but if you are doing the short trip you are best advised to take a picnic. There is a great fish and chip shop in Hast for the more adventurous.

To get there from the Hill House turn left onto Hwy 6 and head towards Wanaka, just before Wanaka follow Hwy 6 to the right where there is a sign showing the distance to Haast.

The road runs first through Albert Town and then past Hawea along the western side of the lake until it reaches a small saddle after which you find yourself driving along the eastern shore of Lake Wanaka. Not far after the end of the lake you will come to Makaroa where you can purchase food and fuel.

By now you will notice the heavily wooded hillsides, a little further on the road will become surrounded in ancient beech tree forests. The Tioripatea Short Walks are found along the early part of the road where you can park you car and walk through the forest to the river and waterfalls.

 Aoraki Mount Cook

This is a long day trip from the Hill House you need to allow at least eight hours return as it is a three hour drive each way. That said, it is well worth it. If you want make a shorter trip just run up to Lake Ohau which is two hours each way and also stunningly beautiful.