Welcome to Waitoi Creek
Welcome to Waitoi Creek - where adventures begin! Situated in the Maniototo with the most stunning surrounds, our mountainous hill country immerses you in nature at its finest. Our property is a privately owned family business so we make it our personal responsibility to ensure you have the highest quality, individually customised experience with us.
Our exclusive lodge opened in early 2023. In the hunting off-season it can be booked for personal use, small business gatherings and leisure. During peak hunting months the lodge will give you the comfort and hospitality you deserve at the end of an extraordinary day hunting at Waitoi Creek. We also offer the option of more traditional and very comfortable hunting huts for larger groups or a different experience.
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With a large inhabitance of wildlife including Elk, Red Stag, Fallow Buck, Chamois, Whitetail, Tahr, Arapawa Ram, Feral Goats, Wild Boar, Bison Bull, Turkeys and a variety of small game we offer a premium experience for those who love to hunt or hike.
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We look forward to meeting you and tailoring your stay with us!
Our Piece of Paradise
The Falconer family first moved to the area after the second world war when Laurie Falconer gained a property in the shadow of rough ridge from the returned service mens ballet. He moved his family further north along the ridge in 1959 to the area of Stoney Creek and the headwaters of Waitoi Creek and they are still here three generations later. Laurie loved his bird hunting, and had a specially adapted Churchill Shotgun to allow him to shoot even though he had lost an arm at the battle of Cassino.
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His son Charles loved his fishing and bird shooting, and his grandson John loves hunting in all its forms. John’s passion for hunting has taken him all over; hunting Tahr and Chamois on the Westcoast, whitetail on Stewart Island and deer and pigs throughout the wild areas of the South Island. He has been hunting in Africa and taken a Buffalo with his bow in Australia. That passion has passed onto the next generation. His daughter Lucy is off after hares with the Central Otago Hunt on her horse every weekend throughout Autumn. Charlie his son is normally to be found on his school holidays stalking with his bow and at 14 he has hunted just about everything he can in the area.
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The beautiful land of Rough Ridge has fostered a passion for hunting in four generations of the family. The rugged land of rock and tussock with its steep gorges and wind-swept tops is breath taking country and the family looks forward to sharing it with its guests.
Conservation
Waitoi Creek want nothing more than to pass our stunning landscape on to future generations. We prioritise environmentally conscious decisions while running our business to ensure we are here for the long haul, leaving the land and natural resources for everyone to enjoy. John can often be found out and about planting another tree!
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We also believe the overall health and wellbeing of the animals on our land is a fundamental key to our conservation sucess. Factors which play a part in achieving this are keeping stock levels at a sensible number, monitoring food and water quality and keeping a close eye on the overall condition of our species.
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Our beautiful creeks and streams which meander the landscape are also the home to a rare New Zealand species of freshwater fish - the Galaxiids. These small, goldern or silvery star-like patterned fish are great climbers and are even able to scale waterfalls. Keep an eye out for them in one of our streams or creeks.
Our Location & Getting Here
Waitoi Creek is located in The Maniototo. This is an elevated inland region in Otago. It roughly surrounds the upper reaches of the Taieri River and the Manuherikia River. It is bounded by the Kakanui Range to the north and the Rock and Pillar Range to the southeast. It has a harsh, dry climate, ranging from over 30 °C in mid-summer to -15 °C in mid-winter.
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There are several ways in which you can get to us. None of these options will disappoint - as you take in the vast and changing scenery along with plenty of intriguing rock formations.
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Options to get here
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SUV transfers to and from Queenstown
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Fixed wing aircraft landing direct onto Waitoi Creek
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Helicopter flight landing on our exclusive Waitoi Lodge helipad