Minaret Station

Lodging Details
The central Lodge features the Mountain Kitchen, living & dining areas, wood-burning fires, and a private library. A series of wooden boardwalks link this central building to the four outlying chalets. King-sized beds and carpets of sheepskin await guests in each of these spacious, warm, and well-decorated chalets. A fully modern ensuite bathroom containing the finest amenities is separated from the bedroom by a dressing room. Grab a beverage from the complimentary mini bar or drink fresh water direct from the waterfall cascading down the mountain. Step out onto the deck to dip in your own private hot tub and enjoy the breathtaking scenery by day or the starscape by night. There is wireless internet throughout the property and iPod surround sound in each of the chalets.

Food and Beverages
Fresh, local produce is the most important ingredient at Minaret Station, but they always take it a step further by presenting it beautifully as well. Their talented team of chefs presents modern cuisine that draws influence from Europe and Asia using fresh, seasonal produce from Minaret Station and the surrounding local region. Any of the meals served in the Mountain Kitchen are great by themselves, although pairing them with any of the complimentary local, award-winning wines will surely delight a discriminating palate. Guests can choose to dine family-style at the main table in the Mountain Kitchen, out on the deck with panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks just beyond, or in the privacy of their Chalets. The Mountain Kitchen is New Zealand’s most remote fine dining experience.

Typical Length of Stay
Trips of any length can be arranged. There is no set change-over day, so guests can arrive and depart on any day of the week.

Non-Angling Activities
Non-angling guests are very well looked after when their companions are out in the bush and there are a number of guided hikes available in the immediate vicinity of the lodge. Knowledgeable guides are available to lead you on a number of hikes (varying in difficulty) and this is included in your stay.  Other attractions in the area, accessible by helicopter include glacier hikes, lake cruises, jet boating, horse riding, farm tours, scenic charters to Fiordland, the West Coast, and the neighboring Mt. Aspiring National Park. Minaret Station’s incredible list of activities extends beyond fly-fishing to ensure that there is something for everyone. The four Wallis brothers who own and operate Minaret Station have a deeply-rooted affinity for the outdoors; they own a large fleet of modern helicopters and are all extremely experienced pilots. It is, therefore, unsurprising that the activities compendium would be stocked with incredible adventures, many of which are carried out with the help of a helicopter. The opportunity to tour the vast wilderness of New Zealand’s South Island from the air is truly one of the most unique and exhilarating experiences on earth, and the options for exploration are limitless:

Scenic Heli-Flights:  choose from a wide range of experiences that can feature anything from Milford Sound’s ice-carved cliffs rising straight out of the ocean to a snow landing alongside the dramatic glaciers of Mt. Aspiring National Park, a tour of the lush and sublime west coast region with a stop on the rocky shoreline for a crayfish lunch that is fresh-caught from the ocean.

Farm Tour:  a highly recommended trip and a great way to experience a quintessential New Zealand sheep station at work, shepherds, sheep, dogs and all

Heli-Biking:  after a quick orientation, you will be transported by helicopter to one of the countless trails in the Southern Alps and it is all downhill from there

Daily or overnight charters to the rugged West Coast, lush Fiordland or isolated Stewart Island; packages and pricing can be designed to suit a bespoke itinerary

Heli-picnic: travel in style to a high country hut or alpine lake for a picnic suited for royalty. Special requests, such as champagne, can be very easily accommodated

Heli-Hiking: enjoy exclusive access to a wide range of tramping trails in either Fiordland or Mt. Aspiring National Parks.  Get up close to the verdant flora or the curious fauna or just splash in one of the millions of waterfalls in the area.  Advanced alpine climbing options are also available

Jet boating: a thrilling way to experience the area is in a jet-boat, which will be awaiting you on the nearby Matukituki River. Enjoy an informative guided hike following the ride upriver

Still life art classes: one on one tuition with a local artist

Heli Horse trekking: many guided itineraries are available and the ride concludes at a local vineyard for a wine tasting.

Heli-Wine Tours:  tours can be customized and there are dozens of local vineyards to visit.  The area is well known for Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris varieties.

Guided hunting: Minaret Station is one of New Zealand’s premier guided hunting lodges and their experienced team of guides knows how to put guests into range of some remarkable trophies. There is a robust and diverse population of game that populates the remote mountains and valleys of the region, which makes the adventure all the more exciting.

Should you wish to arrange any of these activities in advance—our recommendation—please call the Yellow Dog office on 888-777-5060 to learn more and ensure that your experience at Minaret Station will be seamless and full of adventure.

Internet / Communications
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the lodge as well as a satellite television in the study of the Mountain Kitchen. There is no cell phone coverage at the lodge, although each Chalet has a satellite landline available for urgent calls.

How To Get There
It is surprisingly simple to get to New Zealand from the United States, with many major airlines offering direct flights to Auckland from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Air New Zealand and Qantas offer daily direct flights to Auckland, New Zealand, and from there you will catch one of the hourly flights to Queenstown. Upon arrival in Auckland, you will need to pass through immigration and customs—a process that is notoriously challenging for anglers traveling with fishing gear and outdoor equipment due to the strict biosecurity regulations in New Zealand. If you would like to bring your own equipment into the country, please let us know so that we can give you the best possible information on how to do so in a way that will not result in the confiscation of your gear! Once you have cleared this process, you will need to proceed to the domestic terminal either by bus or by walking five minutes along the clearly marked path. Air New Zealand representatives will be standing by to assist you in checking your luggage to Queenstown.  Be aware that carry-on restrictions are tighter on regional aircraft, so you may have to check an additional bag. Check-in is after 2:00 pm and check out is before 11:00 am. Earlier transfers to Minaret or later departures upon request are subject to availability and guest activity reservations.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Upon arrival in either Queenstown or Wanaka, you will be met by a representative from Minaret Station who will escort you to the helicopter that will then transport you to the Lodge in roughly 25 minutes. Check-in at the Minaret Station Alpine Lodge is from 2:00 pm.  Check out is prior to 11:00 am. Early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability and can be incorporated with scenic flights and activities on arrival or departure day. A minimum two-night stay applies over the period of December 23 to January 5.

Documents Required
A valid passport and proof of departure from New Zealand (return plane ticket is adequate). Travelers will need to apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before entering the country. This is a "short-term" via for those who are visiting New Zealand under 3-months and are traveling with a valid passport from a visa wavier country. 

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
Minaret Station offers countless freshwater fishing options throughout the Southern Alps and is a premier fly fishing destination for anglers of varying abilities. Minaret Station privately owns a 50,000-acre parcel of wilderness in Mt. Aspiring National Park, which affords guests unprecedented exclusivity and access to some of the greatest backcountry trout streams and rivers in the Southern Lakes region. Furthermore, they hold independent concessions to fish on conservation lands that span roughly four million acres and include National Parks and World Heritage areas. For the angler who wants to “get off the grid” and fish rivers that few other humans ever see in a season, this program is perfect. Although the main focus is sight fishing for the healthy rainbow and brown trout that thrive in the nutrient-rich glacier-fed stream and rivers, there are options to fish sea-run trout on the coast or Chinook salmon during their short season. These trout are generally unpressured, but accurate casting and earth-toned clothing are still very important considerations when stalking notoriously wily trout in these crystal clear waters. All guides are members of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association Anglers and are very knowledgeable about trout behavior and are very closely attuned to the feeding habits of the fish on any given day. You can expect to use dry flies, streamers, and nymphs on the same stretch of water within the same day. Heavy nymphs and streamers are most commonly used in the early season while dries are most effective later in the season when the storied cicada hatch takes place. Nymphs are generally successful throughout the season.

Boats & Equipment
Simms and Sage equipment can be provided to guests on request and is included in the fishing rate. The Wallis family owns and operates its own helicopter company, Alpine Helicopters, which was once the largest fleet in the country. These very modern helicopters are flown by highly trained pilots and are an excellent way to access the incredible backcountry of New Zealand. Your guides will be very knowledgeable about all the local fisheries and you can be sure that they will show you a terrific time whilst putting you onto trophy trout. 

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in US dollars. Trips of any length can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.

Due to the extensive use of helicopters, all packages are custom. Please call us to arrange your perfect Minaret Station fly fishing package.

What’s Included:

• All chef-prepared cuisine, including full a la carte breakfast, lunch (picnic or seated), pre-dinner canapés, and a gourmet three-course evening meal
• All beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic (except reserve cellar wine list)
• A complimentary minibar and Nespresso Machine
• Private in-deck hot tub
• Services of a guide for on-property activities
• Taxes and GSTs
  
  

What’s Not Included:

• International airfare to Auckland and domestic airfare to Queenstown
• Scenic helicopter transfers ex Wanaka Airport (WKA) or Queenstown Airport (ZQN) – obligatory $1800 per adult or $450 per child (age 13 and younger)
• Ground travel and arrangements pre and post-stay after helicopter transfer to/from Minaret Station
• Reserve Cellar wine list
• Off-property activities (per the activities compendium)
• Note: A 3.5% fee applies to all credit card transactions

Children welcome. When aged 10 and older when not sharing a Chalet as an additional person, you will be required to be charged for a separate Chalet. Children aged 9 years or younger, sleeping on a portable bed, fold-down sofa bed, or cot may share a chalet with a parent. Maximum 1 child per Chalet at $250 incl GST per night per child.

Minaret Station (South Island, New Zealand)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides on all packages. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip. Since deposits and payments are non-refundable regardless of reason, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing. For that to happen, however, all cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. No refunds can be made for unused arrangements or fishing time lost due to inclement weather. In no event will the lodge or Yellow Dog be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, missed travel connections, or any other reason beyond the control of the operator. If your flights are late and connections are missed, the operator is not responsible for alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals and any other expenses incurred. Please note that fishing with and visiting this operation requires flying in helicopters. Passengers must understand and accept the risks which are inherent in and associated with such means of conveyance. Yellow Dog will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury arising while practicing sportfishing or any other activity, or for any loss, damage or injury suffered aboard helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for all New Zealand packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.