Riverrun lies on the ancient terminal moraine of two glaciers, meeting at Halliday bluff. The property crosses the smaller Cardrona river and bounds the magnificent Clutha river, New Zealand's largest river. The farm was originally the "river run block" of a much larger sheep "run." It was first developed by the Halliday brothers, who were suppliers and prospectors during the Cardrona goldrush of the 1880's. John and Meg had made many excursions to Wanaka and at the end of a hiking trip in Mt Aspiring National Park in 1995, took the not-difficult decision to move here. John had previously established the successful retail and manufacturing outdoor clothing and equipment company Kathmandu, in both New Zealand and Australia. Over the next eighteen months, John and Meg purchased this amazing property, began construction of the lodge using chiefly recycled timber, and set about improving the 500 acre farm. Riverrun lodge opened in 1997, at that time one of only a few individually and architecturally designed boutique lodges in New Zealand.
Walks, bike and running trails extend from the lodge along the Clutha, Cardrona and Hawea rivers for 10-20kms. It is a beautiful 10km ride along the Clutha river and lakeside track to Wanaka township. Guests can enjoy the benefit of local advice, walks along the escarpment, riverside rides or picnics or simply take in the valley and mountain views from the lodge verandahs. The property is a fine wool merino sheep farm, with some cropping for stock feed. The region is one of the main fine wool growing areas in the country, producing 14-18 micron merino fleece as well as merino bred lamb.