Contact & Location
Alpine Horse Safaris
Lawrie & Jenny O’Carroll
Waitohi Downs
Hawarden
North Canterbury
New Zealand
alpinehorse@amuri.net
Ph/Fax: + 64 3 314 4293
In NZ only: 0800 425 746
Enquiry Form
If you have any questions about our Canterbury horse treks, alpine safaris or any other adventures, please feel free to use the form below.
DIRECTIONS FROM CHRISTCHURCH
We are approximately 1¼ hours NORTH of Christchurch.
Take State Highway 1 to Waipara, turn onto State Highway 7 and follow to Waikari. Turn left and take the road to Hawarden. At the crossroads in Hawarden, go straight over and continue towards Lake Sumner. Follow this for approx 11kms. Turn RIGHT into Powers Road and continue until the end of tar-seal. Turn LEFT onto gravel road (The Peaks Road). Take first RIGHT (Hewitts Road) and next LEFT (Creans Road). At the end of the road lies WAITOHI DOWNS, the home of ALPINE HORSE SAFARIS.
DIRECTIONS TO CHRISTCHURCH
Leave WAITOHI DOWNS and take first RIGHT onto Hewitts Road. Take next LEFT onto The Peaks Road, then next RIGHT onto Powers Road. Turn LEFT into Lake Sumner Road. Go straight through Hawarden and Waikari, and turn RIGHT onto State Highway 7. Finally, turn RIGHT at Waipara onto State Highway 1, and continue SOUTH to Christchurch.
DIRECTIONS FROM KAIKOURA / HANMER
Take Highway 70 SOUTH of Kaikoura to Waiau-Culverden. Travel on SOUTH over Hurunui River and past Hurunui Hotel. 1km after this turn RIGHT towards Medbury. Continue and turn RIGHT onto The Peaks Road (shingle)…BEWARE – dangerous corner. Follow with forest on right until you come to 3 roads. Take middle road (The Peaks) until Hewitts Road. Turn RIGHT and then next LEFT into Creans Road. At the end of the road lies WAITOHI DOWNS, the home of ALPINE HORSE SAFARIS.
DIRECTIONS TO HANMER SPRINGS AND KAIKOURA
Leave WAITOHI DOWNS and take first RIGHT onto Hewitts Road. Take next LEFT onto The Peaks Road and follow this until you reach tar-seal which then becomes Medbury Road. Follow this towards Hurunui and turn LEFT onto State Highway 7. Follow signs to Hanmer Springs/Kaikoura.
The best 10 day holiday I ever had. A million thanks for your companionship and top horses.
- HELEN MURDOCH
Auckland, NZ
I put my trust in Alpine Horses and Guides and had the best ride of all time. Thanks for showing me the back of beyond and more. Would love to do it all again.
- GILLIAN STONE
Wellington, NZ
Thanks for a wonderful week. Fantastic, big horses, the best I've ever ridden.
- CLAUDIA STAUDT
Christchurch, NZ
Fabulous trip – such beautiful scenery – these were some of the best horses we’ve ever ridden. Very sure-footed, alert, ready to go and still kind-hearted and gentle with their riders. We really appreciated the way you made us feel at home straight away. Thank you so much for a wonderful time.
- SANDY BREIDERBACH
USA
I can hardly believe I have completed this marvellous experience. Thank you Lawrie for your meticulous attention to detail – thank you Jenny for your super cooking and kindly tolerance. I loved my horse whom I trusted implicitly, what a wonderful 11 days!
- CHRIS BROWN
Tauranga, NZ
We came for two days but stayed in two weeks! Thank you for opened your home for us, so we could share your daily life and see what’s going on, on a farm. We really appreciate your hospitality, the good food, the horse riding and your sense of humour! We love you!
- EVA & CURT GRINDENSJO
Sweden
Excellent, in 2 days I managed to lose my fear of horse riding and learn to enjoy it. Will recommend it to all I meet.
- LISA KAY
Sheffield, England
A beautiful horse trek with Lawrie and Jenny. It was a great experience, so beautiful landscape, very quiet country and a nice camp. You can be sure the saddles are very good – no problem for your bottom.
- DAMIEN MERMETY
France
Thanks for a really enjoyable trip – we’ve had a lot of laughs, the company has been great, countryside fabulous and lovely horses. A unique experience – very Kiwi!
- MARGARET ARMSTRONG
Rotorua, NZ
Thank you very much for everything. I had a very exciting experience and memories so I was happy to stay here. I’ll never forget here. And I hope to come back here again.
- KUMIKO MAITA
Japan
Thanks very much for a wonderful farmstay – we could see so many interesting things. Then we had a fantastic 3 days trip on our lovely horses. Thanks to you Lawrie and especially you Jenny for the excellent food!
- CHRIS BLUMER
Switzerland
Thanks very much for a lovely trip. I had a great time and really appreciate the opportunity to see such magnificent scenery. I will go home with fond memories.
- JUDY OBORN
Adelaide, Australia
I discovered a wonderful area. Now, I know the true Kiwi. The Kiwi is Lawrie – like John Wayne. I’ve never seen him before. Never I forget this horse trek. I would like to come back again.
- LUDOVIC HERVIEU
France
An absolute novice on an 11 day trip, I was a bit nervous at the beginning but with every step through this beautiful countryside I felt more and more confident, and now at the end of it all, I wish I could go on for a few more days!
- SUSANN WINTER
Auckland, NZ
Everything is excellent here: the, the horses, the countryside and of course the food! A marvellous experience but too short...Thanks a lot to Lawrie and Jenny...
- JEANNE & JEAN LOUP DOLBEAU
France
Thank you Jenny and Lawrie, the ride was all I expected and more. I had a great time. Good luck in the future, I hope you carry on being this successful.
- CAROLYN BAYER
London, England
I think it was a very nice trip. Before going, I haven’t expected such a good trip with so nice people. Moreover the landscape is very beautiful. Sometimes I have thought that I lost time when you work its very nice to get outside like that.
- FRANCOIS TILLARD
France
Give Jenny and Lawrie a ring and find out how easy it is to organise a trip to suit you, your friends, your colleagues, anyone! So much fun, I can guarantee it!
- JANE LOFTHOUSE
Air New Zealand
