I stayed as a single person for 3 nights, 03,04,05th March. I had fantastic weather. The accommodation is cozy, warm and very clean. Pip and Hamish are very helpful and nothing is to much trouble. If you want peace and quiet and time out, this is the place for you. There is heaps to do around the area. Your main town is Omarama (which has no ATM at this time). Some things to visit and do are : Clay cliff's, there is a glider aerodrome where you can be taken up for a flight (a fantastic way to see the area). Lake Ohau for skiing, bush walking, mountain biking (you can find more info about cycling on the Alps 2 Ocean site). Aoraki (Mt Cook) is 1hr 30mins north of Ben Dhu. Lake Ohau Lodge is great for kicking back with a coffee and taking in the scenery, they also do great meals. Lake Tekapo is also approx 1hr 30mins from Ben Dhu. Ben Dhu station is the perfect place for night photography, I got some fantastic shots of the milky way, there is absolutely no light polution here. The hot tub looked very inviting and I suspect those people doing the Alps 2 Ocean would appreciate it very much.
I will be doing a return trip to Ben Dhu station some time in the future. This is a working sheep station, Pip and Hamish work long hours but will always take time out to help you out. Make sure you get supplies from Omarama 4square supermarket, Pip has everthing in the kitchen you need to cook with. Take quailburn road turn off (from H8), its sealed for a while then hits gravel, keep going and you will see the Ben Dhu entry gate on your left near a copse of pine trees.
Thanks again Pip and Hamish for a great relaxing stay.
Sharyn
