'Happy hunting' in Mackenzie Country

Lilydale station is in two separate titles, Lot 1 is 3106ha and Lot 2 is 940ha. Photo / Supplied

Lilydale, a freehold, 4,046ha station in the Mackenzie Country, is for sale through expressions of interest closing at 4pm on August 31 with JLL.

The rugged South Canterbury property is about two hours' drive south of Christchurch, or about four hours north of Queenstown.

Its beautiful tussock grasslands are home to world class game hunting, say JLL agents John Binning and Chris Harding.

They say the property, at 2167 Clayton Rd, Fairlie, has minimal farming potential, since most of it is more than 900m above sea level.

"However, though this makes Lilydale unsuitable for grazing, it is ideal for hunting," Binning says.

"In fact, the high altitude has more than one advantage: during winter this part of the country receives an excellent dumping of snow, which led to the development of the nearby Fox Peak Ski Field.

"Since 1983, Fox Peak Ski Club has leased part of Lilydale Station for skiing and other snow sports, paying peppercorn rent of $1 per annum. It is a private ski area and the rights of renewal are in place until 2038.

"These extensive grasslands have proven an ideal habitat for tahr, red and fallow deer, chamois, pigs and wallaby, allowing the property to be utilised for world class trophy hunting. The property also has a poled walkway for trampers — and all these recreational activities are very popular," says Binning.

The station's Glen Moira hut can sleep four hunters. Photo / Supplied

The station is in two separate titles, Lot 1 is 3106ha and Lot 2 940ha.

There are three musterers' huts on the property, with the main one — Glen Moira Hut that sleeps four — at the end of North Opuha Valley.

The second is an older, smaller musterers' hut, used for storage, and the third is in the Rocky Creek Basin.

Harding says though Lilydale lacks infrastructure such as cattle yards, vehicles and machinery, there is for it to become a recreational destination and tourism venture.

"Lilydale presents huge potential for recreational activities. Tourism-wise it's an easy drive from Christchurch, and close to the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo.

Additional recreational pursuits that could be developed include mountain biking, horse trekking, tramping, motocross and clay bird shooting/

"Properties like this don't come up for sale often," says Harding.

"This special piece of New Zealand has maintained its raw beauty. New owners could build upon this by expanding the recreational activities and encouraging more visitors to enjoy incredible natural scenery."