The Station
Dome Hills is a high country sheep and cattle station in the Kakanui Mountains which lie between North and Central Otago. The homestead and lodge are in the foothills about 600m above sea level, rising to Kakanui Peak at 1500m some 25kms away.
The station was purchased in 1919 by Oamaru surgeon Dr Alexander Douglas. His son Maxwell and new bride Molly Lane who was the daughter of the chemist Edward Lane of Lane's Emulsion fame, moved to the farm. Their son John and his wife Nan lived at Dome Hills Station for 60 years and now the third and fourth generations David and Cindy and their three children live on the station.
Dogs and horses are still the most important part of stock management, although Toyota Landcruisers are also invaluable. With over 100 kms of tracks, and the headwaters of the Kakanui river running through the property, the two back country mustering huts are still used frequently. The autumn muster in April requires the team of musterers to camp at Crumb Hut at the back of the station to bring sheep in before winter.
The cattle muster before calf weaning is also in autumn and the men use horses and dogs to bring the cattle to the yards, and then for the cattle drive to take the cows back out to their winter blocks. Shearing and lambing is in spring. Winter farm work involves feeding young stock on crops and feeding out hay.
Dome Hills runs merino sheep which are prized for their fine wool, and perendale ewes, as well as Hereford and Angus cattle.
The lodge is a recent addition to station life, and it offers guests a unique opportunity to be involved in farm activities if weather and farming schedule permits. Guests may be able to join in a sheep or cattle muster, watch shepherds and their dogs at work, watch sheep being shorn, or fish in the Kakanui river. Helicopter transfers and scenic flights are available with Central South Island Helicopters, prior bookings are essential. Mountain biking, hiking, secluded picnic and fishing spots, back hut excursions, horse riding and hunting are possible activities on the Station. Fishing and hunting guides can be arranged.
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