TRIP REPORT: SOUTHERN SAFARI - DAY 1
Date: 01/02/2009
Trip leaders: John Auld & Eric Sullivan
Trip report: Marilyn & Murray Davis
 
The first day of the Southern Safari, Sunday February 1st, was a trip onto Dry Creek Station, about 40 minutes drive from Fairlie, where we stayed for 3 nights.

We all met at the Fairlie camping ground at 9.30, all 17 vehicles of various types, sun shining, but some showers around the hills.

Trip leaders Eric Sullivan and John Auld led us up the valley - tar seal most of the way, then gravel road and dust - to Dry Creek Station, where we were met by the owner, who has been on the station since 1942. He told us about his 37000 acres of High Country leasehold land, the largest High Country station in NZ. and how 3 generations had and still were farming it with sheep & cattle, and cropping on the lower flat areas. There are bull thar living in higher areas, which he lets american hunters shoot, and he gets $2,000 for each thar shot.

He offered us access to his shearing shed, the implement shed (which housed Series 2 Landrovers and an army truck), and a shed which had a row of old truck engines on a bench.
He also has some trucks in the Fairlie Museum.

We then set off on a farm loop drive, going over the back of his farm, enjoying the scenery, especially the views from one of the lower hills. We had a lovely lunch stop in the warm sun, didn’t see any thar but some very healthy cattle. There was no snow left on the mountains, just all the bare areas where it had been.

A most enjoyable day, and a big thankyou to Eric and John.

Other trip reports will be posted here when received