Welcome to big SKY country
Occupying an elevation shared by so few others in New Zealand, this meticulously designed and crafted little dwelling welcomes you to our world of big skies, wide valleys, braided rivers and rugged mountain ranges.
Less than 90 minutes from Christchurch but a lifetime away across the Canterbury Plains, Snowgrass Hut is secluded within a large high country station, surrounded by mountains and valleys, solitude and silence.
Far more than just a place to stay, this is a space to refresh and reflect, to be present, to see without being seen, and discover what it means to be above and beyond.
INVERARY
STATION
MOUNT
SOMERS
OUR SPECIAL PLACES
Those of us who live in these hills are drawn to special high places that offer clear views of the rivers, valleys, shifting weather, and wildlife below – spots that invite us to pause, observe, and savour the moment. When it came to building our huts, there was no debate; we instinctively chose the places we cherished, trusting they would captivate others who discovered them too.
A LIFE UNTETHERED
Early high-country settlers chose homestead sites based on practicality – flat land, access to shelter, and water – prioritising utility over views. Their homes were often clustered in valleys, connected by roads, telephone, and power lines. Today, advancements in technology, materials, and machinery allow us to build comfortably in locations once deemed inaccessible, with minimal compromises.
your hosts
Kate and Bert Oliver have been hosting at Inverary since 2006, raising their three children – Lily, Fergus, and Hugh – on the station. Bert manages Inverary Station in partnership with the Chapman family, who have lived there for nearly a century. While Kate continues her rural banking work in Ashburton, she embraced the chance to create a visitor accommodation business, fulfilling her dream of spending more time at home and sharing the unique lifestyle and beauty of Inverary.
Care for our land
Since the 1990s, Inverary Station has been recognised for its high conservation values, with significant areas classified as Protected Natural Areas. Building on this, we have voluntarily fenced off high-value environmental zones, including flax wetlands, red tussock reserves, and divaricating grey shrublands. Additionally, we’ve created a reserve featuring native trees and large shrubs grown from seeds collected across the property.
CARE FOR OUR ANIMALS
For the last 20 years, Inverary has been farmed under the progressive StockCare programme, initiated and run by a select group of veterinarians.
At the heart of the programme is a commitment to placing the animal welfare at the centre of the farming system. The data-led programme means we measure the body condition of the ewe flock eight times a year to ensure that we can maintain our animals in the optimum health, body weight and condition.
Central to the StcokCare philosophy is the understanding that there is perfect correlation between optimum animal welfare and optimum production. Put simply, whatever is best for the animal will always prove to be the best for the farm and our customers too.
FARMING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
In recent times we have established a QEII covenant for Bland’s Bluff, providing permanent protection to a highly visible and valued limestone outcrop that is home to a number of rare and endangered plant species as well as having significant geological and cultural values.
In 2021 we led the formation of Hinds Hill Country Catchment Group; a 12 property 20,000 acre community initiative to promote good on-farm practices, sustainable land management, and encourage positive environmental outcomes, particularly water quality.
CONNECTED TO OUR COMMUNITY
We believe that a responsible and successful farm is one that is closely connected to its wider community and doesn’t exist in isolation. Community involvement has always been core to Inverary’s ethos. Sometimes our contributions have been financial, but more important and impactful have been the decades of time, resources and personal involvement in community projects and initiatives.
We encourage our employees to uphold these same community values and provide time within the farming year for this to happen. Our school, sporting clubs and local amenities all carry the imprint of people who have lived and worked at Inverary over the years.
ENSURING PUBLIC ACCESS
We endeavour to provide the best access to the property for people seeking recreation such as walking groups, horse and mountain bike riders, hunters, rogainers, environmental groups, farming groups or simply families looking for a swim and a picnic. This is never less than about 500 visitors a year and has sometimes exceeded 2000.