Lake Heron Station

OVERVIEW

Get an insider’s look at a high-country station with more than 10,000 merino sheep, whose wool is mostly processed for outdoor clothing. On the spectacularly scenic drive to the station – the word commonly used Down Under for a ranch that raises livestock – you will pause to snap photos of Lake Heron, a glacially formed highland lake named for the herons that once flocked there in great numbers. Nearby you will find Lake Heron Station, an undulating backcountry realm that the Todhunter family has owned since 1917. You will see how they produce merino wool from sheep to fiber, which is then used in Icebreaker brand clothing. Merino is decidedly different from traditional wool as it is lightweight, soft, and itch-free among other qualities. The Todhunters will candidly describe daily life in their remote high-country station before inviting you to dine on a homestyle lunch. Feel free to ask questions.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a working sheep station in the high country that produces high-quality merino wool.
• Meet the owners, whose family has owned Lake Heron Station since 1917.
• Learn the various stages of wool production and why merino wool is so valued.
• Settle in for a hearty farm-to-table lunch at the station.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.