FAQs

Find out more about Pōhatu Farm Experiences

General

  • There is safe, secure, and private parking available at the carpark, located at the start and end point of the hike.

  • Sorry, dogs are not allowed on Pōhatu Farm.

  • Pōhatu Farm has both a Vodafone (One) and Spark tower, so you’re never too far from reliable coverage. There is a brief black spot along the Whareama River, but a short 10-minute climb will restore your signal.

  • You can find details around our terms and conditions and cancellation policy here.

  • Yes, absolutely! We maintain the road to ensure it's as smooth as possible for all vehicle types. However, we recommend taking care on the road and bridge, as the livestock and stunning views can be quite distracting!

  • Riversdale Beach enjoys a mild climate throughout Spring, Summer, and Autumn. During the peak of Summer (January–February), temperatures can reach up to 26°C. However, the coastal South-East wind can feel chilly, especially on the exposed ridges. We recommend packing clothes suitable for all weather conditions.

  • There are plenty of rental homes available in and around the Riversdale Beach village. For the best booking options, we recommend using Air BnB or Canopy Camping.

  • The best place to get fuel and supplies would be Masterton. There is no fuel available for purchase at the Riversdale Beach village, so please come prepared. The Riversdale Beach Store offers a selection of food and essentials, along with a full kitchen serving coffee, takeaway options, and cabinet food.

  • We are located five minutes from the Riversdale Beach village. For more detailed directions, please see here.

Hike

  • A moderate level of fitness is required, as you'll be walking over farmland that can be uneven in places. There is one heart pumping ascent halfway through the hike, but we encourage you to take your time—there’s no need to rush.

  • The hike will take approximately five hours, including stops.

  • Sturdy sneakers or trainers are fine for the hike, but if you need extra ankle support due to uneven terrain, we recommend wearing hiking boots.

  • We will officially open for this season on Saturday, 14th December 2024, with our last hike being on Sunday, 27th April 2025.

    Our next season will begin on Saturday, 25th October 2025, and run until Monday, 27th April 2026.

    You can book for the 2025/2026 season year-round.

  • Pōhatu Farm has a minimum group size of two hikers and no maximum size.

  • Children are always very welcome at Pōhatu Farm! In fact, you might even meet one (or a few) of the Broughton children during your hike experience! While we recommend the hike is best suited for those aged 12 and over, we trust you know your children best and can decide if it’s a good fit for them.

    Please note that once the hike has started, we are unable to provide pick-up services, unless there is a medical emergency. We kindly ask that you keep this in mind when planning your hike.

  • The Riversdale Beach Farm Hike is fully catered and there are water refill stations at the start of the hike and at our Musterers Hut. You will be provided with a gourmet packed lunch, lovingly made by a Le Cordon Bleu trained cook. We aim to include as many local ingredients as we can and all of the packaging is able to be recycled or is compostable.

    There are tea and coffee making facilities at the Musterers Hut, please ensure you follow the instructions at the hut while boiling your water. Feel free to bring your own snacks, but please remember to take all rubbish with you when you leave.

  • We can cater for special dietary requirements by pre-arrangement. Please email us to discuss how we can best meet your needs.

  • We have filtered water refill stations at both the start and end of the hike, as well as at Musterers Hut. During the Summer months, we recommend bringing a bottle or bladder that can hold at least 1L of water.

  • Please note that there are no loos along the hike. If you need to relieve yourself during the walk, please go at least 50 meters (about 100 steps) off the track. Bury your waste in the shallow organic layers of the topsoil, ensuring it's well away from any flowing water. For personal hygiene, we recommend carrying hand sanitiser.

  • You can find details around our terms and conditions and cancellation policy here

  • You can book your hike online here, however we are still in the process of finalising our payment portal. In the meantime, we kindly ask that you make your payment ($80 per person) via bank transfer to confirm your hike.

    Please find the bank transfer details below if you need them:

    Account Name: RA and SM Broughton
    Account Number: 06-0689-0121514-00
    Reference: Your Name
    Particulars: Date of Walk

    Upon receipt of your payment, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Thank you for your understanding!

Bike

  • A moderate level of fitness is required, as you'll be biking over farmland that can be uneven in places. But please make use of the E-Bikes and their incredible technology  to help make your journey as seamless as possible.

  • The bike will take approximately three hours, including stops. Travel to and from Pōhatu Farm is 45-minutes each way from Cycling Tom’s depot in Masterton.

  • Yes you can, but we limit the numbers as you will be sharing part of the track with our hikers. If you are interested in bringing your own bike and self guiding your way along the Pōhatu Farm Ridgeline Trail, please enquire here.

  • We have filtered water refill stations at both the start and end of the bike, as well as at the main carpark at the top of the Forestry Road and at Musterers Hut. During the Summer months, we recommend bringing a bottle or bladder that can hold at least 1L of water.

  • For more information and details around the terms and conditions of the Pōhatu Farm Ridgeline Trail, please visit Cycling Tom’s website, here.