Luxury South Island

Wednesday 08 April

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

Thursday 09 April

Enjoy your central city location this morning before leaving Christchurch. Travel to the Ashburton area with a stop for a lunch and garden visit at Trott’s Garden. This is a six-star garden of excellence. See some of the 650 rhododendrons in flower in the woodland area and the formal tightly trimmed hedges that form a backdrop for the border plantings. Continue onto Geraldine for a three- night stay at the beautifully renovated ‘Vicarage’.  The Barker family (of Barkers Food) have overseen the renovations. Dinner included tonight. 

Friday 10 April

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

Saturday 11 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.

Sunday 12 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 on to  Mt Cook and the Hermitage for a two-night stay. 

Optional Tour Mt Cook - by 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).

Monday 13 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.

Tuesday 14 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’.   On to Oamaru for a two-night stay at Mariner Suites hotel. Dinner at local restaurant tonight. 

Wednesday 15 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.