Other Activities

Overlooking Lake Grasmere, our single-stand range offers a shooting location second to none. Our experienced instructor will help you point the 20-gauge Remington 870 express shotgun in the desired direction. With a strong safety theme, shooting at Grasmere Lodge is ideal for learners and older children, yet rewarding for seasoned shooters. We often find women do better than men – now there’s a challenge.

The South Island high country is home to some of the most prized hunting trophies in the world – Himalayan bull tahr, alpine chamois, red stag, fallow buck, white tail deer, elk/wapiti, South Pacific ram, wild boar and a variety of game birds. Our guide will drive or helicopter you to the best hunting areas. Hunting is predominantly a winter activity – April to August is the best time.

The best golf course nearby is Terrace Downs in the Rakaia Gorge, just over an hour’s drive away, or 15 minutes by helicopter. This is considered one of the top three courses in the country, with facilities to match. It is challenging and long (6,440 metres), with 11 lakes and 70 bunkers, for an 18-hole par 72. It has golf carts and shoes for hire, a driving range, pro shop and excellent café. We can book you a tee time from the lodge, and quote for a helicopter transfer if required.

Closer but at a different level, there are a variety of more rustic club courses, more like golf links. Green fees at these range from $NZ10 to 25, and you may have to shoo sheep off the playing line in places. They are unlikely to have clubs for hire, but the only other players are probably friendly locals. These courses include Greendale, Hororata, Methven, Waimakariri and Lake Coleridge at Windwhistle (this closes in March for lambing). The closest is about 45 minutes drive from Grasmere.