The Lindis Lodge Destination | Ahuriri Valley NZ Wilderness

Destination

Set on the vast Ben Avon Station, The Lindis is immersed in the rugged beauty of the Ahuriri Valley. The Valley forms part of the Ahuriri Conservation Park, protecting a wilderness of alpine landscapes, beech forests, and open gullies. The renowned Ahuriri River meanders through the property offering seasonal world-class fly fishing, while the land itself remains a working station. The connection to the valley is quintessential to The Lindis experience.

Destination

Set on the vast Ben Avon Station, The Lindis is immersed in the rugged beauty of the Ahuriri Valley — a landscape protected in large part by the Ahuriri Conservation Park. Here, alpine peaks, golden tussock lands, wetlands, and native beech forests create a dramatic high-country setting. The renowned Ahuriri River winds through the property, offering seasonal world-class fly fishing, while the land itself continues to operate as a working station.

6,500a

Ben Avon Station

49,000ha Ahuriri Conservation Park

Ahuriri

River

3,000

sheep

100 Angus

cattle

Winter temperatures -5°C to 10°C

Summer temperatures 20°C to 30°C

Ahuriri Valley

The Ahuriri Valley (pronounced A-hu-riri) is one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary high-country environments — a sweeping glacial basin edged by the Southern Alps and shaped by centuries of pastoral history. From The Lindis, the valley opens in every direction: ever-changing light across the basin, cloud shadows sweeping the peaks, and uninterrupted views that offer a profound sense of connection to place. This is a landscape defined by scale, stillness, and rare natural beauty.

History of Ben Avon Station

Discover the region

Early Foundations

The Lindis Lodge stands on Ben Avon Station, once part of neighbouring Longslip before separating under the pastoral lease in the 1890s. The valley’s early years were shaped by resilience — the wool shed near the lodge entrance was built in the 1870s, and the original homestead was completed in 1883.

High-Country Life

For nearly a century, Ben Avon operated as a remote high-country farm, its character defined by harsh seasons, isolation, and steady stewardship across generations.

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Avon Station

In 1988, Jim Morris, then owner of Avon Station, purchased the 25,000-acre Ben Avon lease. Over 30 years, he managed the land with deep respect for its ecological value, leading a tenure review that placed much of the surrounding valley under Department of Conservation protection.

A Working Station

Ben Avon remains an active station, with Longslip grazing around 3,000 merino sheep and 100 Angus cattle under a low-stock approach that preserves the landscape. Along Birchwood Road, flocks of sheep are still a familiar sight en route to the lodge.

Honouring the heritage

Our Master and Lodge Suites take their names from the region’s historic stations — Ben Avon, Longslip, Dalrachney, Ribbonwood, and Birchwood — paying tribute to the valley’s pastoral heritage.

Explore the Valley

Guests can book a private 4WD guided Valley Tour for a deeper look into the region’s history, ecology, and the remarkable landscape surrounding The Lindis.

Dark Sky Reserve

Bordering the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, our night skies are among the clearest and darkest in the world — a rare celestial sanctuary where the Milky Way arcs vividly overhead.

Southern Alps

The Lindis is the closest luxury lodge to Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps — the spine of Te Waipounamu, stretching 500 kilometres and home to New Zealand’s highest peaks, glaciers, and dramatic alpine passes.

West Coast

Positioned near the heart of the South Island, The Lindis also offers remarkable proximity to the rugged West Coast — where ancient rainforests, glacier-fed rivers, and wild shorelines reveal a striking contrast to the high-country landscape.

Te Araroa

Te Araroa — New Zealand’s iconic long-distance trail — runs directly through Ben Avon Station, passing only moments from the lodge and connecting guests to one of the country’s most significant walking routes.

Waitaki Valley

Shaped by limestone soils, cool-climate breezes, and a distinctive maritime influence, the Waitaki Valley is one of New Zealand’s most exciting emerging wine regions. Home to expressive Pinot Noir and elegant Chardonnay, including our sister-vineyard, Clos Ostler.

Climate

The Ahuriri Valley experiences four distinct seasons — from hot, dry summers and golden autumns to snowy winters and cool, blossoming springs.

Weather

Weather in the valley can shift quickly, with clear blue skies turning to alpine winds or snowfall, depending on the time of year. Summer days are warm and dry, but evening can be cool. We recommend packing layers year-round for the ever-changing high-country climate.