Luxury South Island

Saturday 06 April

Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand.  On arrival, meet Wayne your driver/guide and  transfer to your accommodation at The George Bed and Breakfast.This afternoon’s walking tour of the central city area is a wonderful opportunity to see the “new” emerging city. The restaurant for tonight’s dinner is at the hotel.

Sunday 07 April

Enjoy your central city location this morning before leaving Christchurch. Travel to the Ashburton area with a stop at “Akanui” for a long lunch and garden visit. Ian and Diana McKenzie’s property is 12 hectares of mature and developing gardens that’s surround the 100 year homestead that is a category 2 historic place.  Lunch is in the homestead. Continue onto Geraldine for the three night stay at the beautifully renovated “Vicarage”.  The Barker family (of Barkers Food) have overseen the renovations. Dinner included tonight 

Monday 08 April

Breakfast today is next door at Barkers café.  The balance of the day is free to shop, visit one of the spas explore the vintage machinery museum etc. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Tuesday 09 April

A day out on Wayne’s home turf as you travel in a 4WD vehicle.  We take you on a journey up the glacial carved Rangitata Valley to visit the historic Mesopotamia sheep station.  This is in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Here an additional local guide will describe the farming practices and rich history and point out the natural features enroute.  We take time to visit the Mesopotamia School.  The 4WD vans take you high on station tracks and trails through the deer park where you may also see Himalayan Thar.   Then it is time to enjoy a home-style picnic.  There is time for a walk, take photos or just relax to take in the vastness of this valley and the upper reaches of the Rangitata River.

 Tonight enjoy a glass of wine and platters in the Vicars lounge.

Wednesday 10 April

Today you will explore valleys and lakes.  A stop in Tekapo to visit the now uncrowded Church of the Good Shepard is planned.  Continue onto  Mt Cook and the Hermitage for a two night stay. 

Optional Tour Mt Cook - Tasman Glacier Helicopter  (from $365  per person) A number of options exist to discover the spectacular scenery of Mt Cook National Park from above. Soar over the Southern Alps with amazing views of New Zealand’s highest peak before landing on the Liebig Range or if conditions allow the magnificent Tasman Glacier.  (payment on excursion day) 

Thursday 11 April

Today choose your own activity.  Perhaps the beautiful Hooker Valley walk or the shorter Kea Point Walk.  The Sir Edmund Hillary centre and the national Park Visitors Centre are both destinations in their own right.  There are other options for flightseeing and excursions to the Tasman Glacier.

Friday 12 April

This morning travel back along the shores of Lake Pukaki and continue onto Duntroon and the Vanished World Centre – here learn about the unique fossil geology of this area.  Lunch is at the “Riverstone Kitchen”.   Onto Oamaru for a two night stay at Mariner Suites hotel

Saturday 13 April

After breakfast join our local guide for a fascinating walking tour of Oamaru with its Victorian Precinct built of Oamaru stone.  Steampunk has grown rapidly over the past 10 years to make Oamaru the “capital of Steampunk” in the world. Travel south to Moeraki for lunch. Tonight enjoy our farewell dinner.

Sunday 14 April

Today we travel north through Timaru, Temuka and return to the airport for the flight home.