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: Queenstown
From Queenstown we drive to Trelawn Place and lunch overlooking the Shotover River. We then return to Queenstown with time to relax and explore. Perhaps stroll through the lakeside Botanic Gardens near our hotelbefore our welcome dinner (included) tonight.
- Lunch & Dinner
DAY 2: Southern lakes gardens
This morning we visit Janet Blair's Garden of National Significance near Lake Hayes and the leafy village of Arrowtown where gold mining history comes alive beside the Arrow River and interesting shops line the main street. This afternoon meet Mike Henry who has developed his eight acre garden at Chantecler to include themed gardens from France, Italy, England, Japan and New Zealand as well as mass plantings of bulbs, rhododendrons, lavenders, azaleas, camellias and peonies. We return to Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu this evening for dinner.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: Central Otago
After breakfast we leave Queenstown for the big skies of the Maniototo Plain. We visit Clyde, once claimed to be the most populous town in New Zealand during the height of gold fever and then on to Chatto Creek. We lunch in the historic settlement of Ophir. We visit Rayleen McNally’s garden at Poolburn, a true plants-woman’s garden full of treasures around an original stone homestead. We call into theVulcan Hotel in the oldgold rush town of St Bathans before continuing on to Ranfurly and Hawkdun Lodge where we stay for two nights.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: Gardens and majestic sightseeing
Check out Ranfurly’s antique shops and their collections of Kiwiana and 1930s Art Deco. We visit Glenis and David Crutchley’s garden at Shortlands Station at an altitude of 2000 feet on Dansey Pass and stop by the once thriving gold town of Naseby. Today it’s a popular holiday spot and the country’s curling capital with an International standard indoor curling rink.We lunch with Jane Falconer at Clachanburn Station, a Garden of National Significance on a deer farm at Patearoa with elevated views across the Maniototo.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: Boulders, Victiorian Fete and Ranfurly
Leaving Ranfurly we drive to the coast and stop for brunch at a popular place in Moeraki. We arrive in Oamaru where the Victorian Fete, with an “Explorers and Venturers” theme, is in full swing. The fete celebrates the town’s heritage amid streets of Oamaru Stone buildings, fine examples of 19th century architecture. Take in the sights and sounds - traditional craft demonstrations, market stalls, live music, dance, street theatre, penny farthings and locals dressed in Victorian finery. We dine in Oamaru this evening.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: Gardens and historic homes
We visit the Historic Places Trust Totara Estate, recorded in history books as where lamb was first frozen and shipped to Britain in 1882. At Totara Lowlands wander the gardens and gift shop – the home-made chutneys, hazelnuts and oils are all from the property. Then we visit Linda Wilsons Parkside gardens, before the Oamaru Public Gardens created in 1876 and it's Victorian inspired “rooms”. We dine out this evening.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: Oamaru, Carew, Christchurch
Leaving Oamaru after breakfast, we drive north to a Carew, mid-Canterbury farmhouse for a private lunch hosted by Boo Woodhouse. Flourishing in the garden are Himalayan Lilies, 3 metres tall and just starting to flower. They have to be seen to be believed. In the mid afternoon we continue north up the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch internationally famed as ‘The Garden City’ due it's well-established expansive parks and public gardens.We then go to the Christchurch Airport where the tour concludes.B,L
- Breakfast & Lunch
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South Island Gardens & Wildflowers Tour - MTO
Queenstown to Christchurch
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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
- $3890 per person twin share. Single supplement add +$499.
Ref: MTO
14-Nov-2018 20-Nov-2018
$3,890.00 Book Now