South Island Gardens & Wildflowers Tour - MTO
Number of Days: 7
Destination: New Zealand
Tour Highlights:
- Queenstown
- Clyde
- St Bathans
- Ranfurly
- Naseby
- Moeraki
- Oamaru
- Christchurch
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Day 1: Fly to Queenstown – Gibbston Valley – Queenstown
On arrival in Queenstown, we visit Stoneridge Estate Garden then drive to Annabel and Bruce Russell’s for lunch in the Gibbston Valley where the first vineyard was planted. We check into Hotel Novotel Queenstown Lakeside for two nights and dine in this evening. Our hotel is adjacent to the Botanic Gardens.
Day 2: Queenstown – Blair Garden – Wallace Garden – Arrowtown – Chantecler
We visit two gardens of National Significance, Janet Blair’s at Lake Hayes and in the afternoon Mike Henry’s Chantecler where themed gardens from around the world are featured along with large plantings of rhododendrons and peonies. We also visit Penny and David Wallace’s lovely garden and lunch nearby in Arrowtown at Provisions.
Day 3: Queenstown – Clyde – Ophir – St Bathans – Ranfurly
We visit Tilly Grant’s garden on the way to the big skies of the Maniototo Plain and lunch at Pitches Store in historic Ophir. Rayleen McNally’s garden at Poolburn is full of treasures. We call into the Vulcan Hotel in the old gold rush village of St Bathans before reaching Ranfurly, staying at Hawkdun Lodge for two nights.
Day 4: Ranfurly – Naseby – Clachanburn, Patearoa – farmhouse gardens
Mary and Mac Wright’s hillside garden is on the way to Naseby and Glenis and David Crutchley’s Shortlands Station garden is at Danseys Pass. We visit Fay–Ann and Kelvin Thompson’s Glen Eden Station and lunch with Jane Falconer in her garden of National Significance at Clachanburn Station. There’s time to wander Ranfurly on our return.
Day 5: Ranfurly – Fleur’s Place, Moeraki – Victorian Fete, Oamaru
We stop for brunch at a special seafood restaurant, Fleur’s Place in Moeraki. In Oamaru, the Fete is in full swing celebrating the town’s Victorian heritage amid streets of Oamaru Stone buildings – live music, dance, street theatre and penny farthings. Dine at Riverstone Kitchen and stay two nights at Highfield Mews.
Day 6: Oamaru sightseeing – Totara Estate – Elderslie Estate – Brookfield House
Hear the stories of Totara Estate, where the lamb was first frozen and shipped to Britain, as the billy tea brews. We lunch with Pete and Bev Rodwell at Elderslie Estate which has a fascinating history and association with Phar Lap. We visit Jen Rendell’s painstakingly restored and beautiful Brookfield House and Garden. Dine at The Star and Garter Café.
Day 7: Oamaru – Papakaio – Carew – Christchurch – Fly to Auckland
We visit Gloria and Ian Hurst’s Willow park with its lush plantings, ponds, lawns and trees in Papakaio and lunch at Te Timata, Boo and Hamish Woodhouse’s Canterbury farmhouse. In the garden, Himalayan lilies are starting to grow tall. We continue across the plains to Christchurch airport. -
This is a Guided holiday and includes:
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Activities and excursions as per the itinerary
- Coach touring and tour host
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
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Available Dates
- $3,790 per person twin share. Single supplement add +$500.