The High Country Stations of the Mackenzie

Mary Hobbs is a writer and author, and her sixth book is High Country Stations of the Mackenzie. Her previous works include : Kiwi Tucker for the Soul, Letter to New York and America from New Zealand with Love, and The Spirit of Mountaineering.

Looking towards the Burnett Range and Mount Cook Station from the west by Mary Hobbs

The Ben Ohau Range, close to the first home built in the Mackenzie Country by Mary Hobbs

Charlie Hobbs cycles out from Braemar Station by Mary Hobbs

Late autumn sun highlights Ferintosh Station on the western shores of Lake Pukaki by Mary Hobbs

Mount Sefton and The Footstool in late summer from what was formerly Birch Hill by Mary Hobbs

The drive into Irishman Creek by Mary Hobbs

The Ohau Canal with the Ben Ohau Range in the distance by Mary Hobbs

Mary Hobbs

The road to Mt Cook Station by Mary Hobbs

She also published the award-winning New Zealand Outside magazine for 10 years. Mary and her husband Charlie Hobbs have been residents of the Mackenzie Country for decades, they live at Aoraki/Mount Cook, where they own a guiding company and the Old Mountaineers' restaurant.

Her latest book tells the story and history of 11 stations in the region, mostly from around the Lake Pukaki area - it also includes pages of stunning pictures, showing wide open skies, the Southern Alps, glacial lakes and vast farmland.

She talks to Lynn Freeman about High Country Stations of the Mackenzie.