High Country Stations, Gardens & Goldfields
7 day small group South Island tour
Come and explore the back roads from Canterbury to Central Otago visiting historic sheep stations and meeting the gardeners. From Aoraki/Mt Cook we head down the Waitaki Valley to Danseys Pass following the old route taken by stockmen and miners over to the Maniototo and the goldfields.
WHAT TRACY LOVES ABOUT THIS TOUR: Some farms we’re visiting have stayed in the same family with buildings and gardens dating back to the pioneers. At Erewhon Erin and Colin are passionate about horses and their magnificent Clydesdales plough the fields at the foot of the Southern Alps.
Day 1
Fly to Christchurch - Homebush Station, Darfield - Methven
From Christchurch airport we drive to Crispin and Fleur Deans’ Homebush Station near Darfield for lunch and visit their museum with its treasure trove of Kiwiana and the magnificent heritage farm buildings and garden developed by the family since the 1850s.
We continue on to the Rakaia River Gorge and stay in Methven village at Ski Time Lodge. We dine at Ski Time Lodge this evening.
- Meet one of the original Canterbury settler families at Homebush Station
- Homebush’s eclectic Kiwiana museum and heritage farm buildings
- Methven - Ski Time Lodge
See More
Accommodation
Methven - Ski Time Lodge
In Methven you’ll stay at the Ski Time Lodge, just a short walk to the town centre. You’ll enjoy all the creature comforts, an extensive wine list, great food, amazing views and brilliant service.
What we love most about Methven Ski Time Lodge – it has to be the stunning views of the Southern Alps!
Day 2
Methven - Erewhon Station - Geraldine
Erewhon Station sits at the top of the Rangitata Gorge amid stunning Lord of the Rings scenery. Colin Drummond and Erin Cassie use Clydesdale horses for a lot of their station work and hitch up their team to take us for a wagon ride. We have a picnic lunch in their wool shed before returning back down the road to Lake Camp and Lake Clearwater and stopping at the historic farm buildings at Hakatere.
We stay two nights at Geraldine’s Scenic Route Motor Lodge and dine in town.
- A wagon ride with the Clydesdales at Erewhon
- The stunning Rangitata Gorge
- Geraldine - Scenic Route Motor Lodge
See More
Accommodation
GISBORNE - SENATOR MOTOR INN
Stylish and comfortable motel accommodation in the heart of Gisborne a two minute walk to Central Gisborne’s shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Each of the spacious self contained suites has its own balcony with views over the bustling inner harbour marina.
What we love about the Senator Motor Inn – A great location makes it easy to take a relaxing riverside stroll along the walkway to the spectacular beaches or alongside the river in the opposite direction.
Day 3
Geraldine - Orari Gorge Station - Kakahu Farm - Geraldine
At Orari Gorge Station we meet Rosa Peacock to hear the stories of the historic farm buildings and stroll in the expansive garden.
We lunch with Anna and Tom Hargreaves at Kakahu Angus Farm and historic garden and drive the farm tracks to enjoy the views. We return to Geraldine in time to stroll around the artisan shops specialising in cheeses, preserves and woodworking to name a few.
- Two historic Canterbury station gardens
- The artisan producers of Geraldine
- Geraldine - Scenic Route Motor Lodge
See More
Accommodation
GISBORNE - SENATOR MOTOR INN
Stylish and comfortable motel accommodation in the heart of Gisborne a two minute walk to Central Gisborne’s shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Each of the spacious self contained suites has its own balcony with views over the bustling inner harbour marina.
What we love about the Senator Motor Inn – A great location makes it easy to take a relaxing riverside stroll along the walkway to the spectacular beaches or alongside the river in the opposite direction.
Day 4
Geraldine - Four Peaks Station - Burkes Pass - Lake Tekapo - Aoraki/Mt Cook
We head to Four Peaks Station to meet Jo and Steve McAtamney and drive out the back of their farm to lunch at Sutherland’s Hut, built in 1866 it’s the oldest shepherd’s hut in the high country.
At Burkes Pass we enter the Mackenzie Country and stop to enjoy the views from the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo and at Lake Pukaki views up the valley to Aoraki/Mt Cook. We drive up to Aorak/Mt Cook Village to stay at The Hermitage and dine with views out to the mountains.
- Visit historic Sutherland’s Hut at Four Peaks Station
- Stay and dine in the iconic Hermitage Hotel
- Mount Cook - The Hermitage Hotel
See More
Accommodation
MOUNT COOK - THE HERMITAGE HOTEL
Another national icon, the ghost of the greatest Kiwi of all, Sir Edmund Hillary, is everywhere here. There is no more stunning setting in the entire country, spectacular views of New Zealand’s highest peak and you can walk right out the front door into the great scenery.
What we love about the Hermitage – Having a drink in the Snowline bar watching the sunset work its magic on ‘the cloud piercer’.
Day 5
Aoraki/Mt Cook - Kurow - Duntroon - Danseys Pass - Ranfurly
Enjoy the morning in this stunning alpine valley before heading to Omarama then turning eastwards to Kurow and Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley.
The gravel road up Danseys Pass was the route traditionally used by stockmen and also miners as a short cut to Central Otago’s goldfields. We stop for refreshments at Danseys Pass Hotel and drive into Naseby, both were goldrush hubs, before reaching Hawkdun Lodge, Ranfurly where we dine in this evening.
- Lunch with the Paveletich family at Station Peak
- Remote Danseys Pass, a road less travelled
- Ranfurly - Hawkdun Lodge
See More
Accommodation
RANFURLY - HAWKDUN LODGE
Hawkdun Lodge is a quality motel-style complex offering a relaxing escape with an abundance of comfort, style and space. Hawkdun Lodge is located in Ranfurly, the main township in the Maniototo district of Central Otago.
What we love about Hawkdun Lodge – Contemporary accommodation wth warm and friendly hosts makes Hawkdun Lodge a remarkable property for such a small town.
Day 6
Ranfurly - Macraes Flat - Hyde - Middlemarch - Lawrence
We visit Ranfurly’s Art Deco buildings and then at Macraes Flat follow a trail telling the story of the current and historic goldmine mine. We lunch nearby at Stanley’s Hotel built in 1882. The scenery is classic Central Otago along the Moonlight Road and through the golden tussocks of the Rock and Pillar range to Middlemarch.
We take a back road to Lake Waipouri and on to Lawrence where we stay the night and dine in town. The locals have got together to restore their town which was the gateway to the goldfields.
- Art Deco Ranfurly
- Stanley’s Hotel at Macraes Flat
- Lawrence Accommodation
See More
Accommodation
LAWRENCE ACCOMMODATION
Lawrence is a quaint village with limited accommodation. Our group stays in a variety of accommodation around the village and our Kiwi Guide arranges the transfers to the Walnut Cafe for dinner and breakfast.
What we love about Lawrence – Lawrence is a very special, historic place with welcoming hosts and locals.
Day 7
Lawrence - Gabriel's Gully - Linlithgow Farm - Dunedin - Return flight
We breakfast in town and meet up with our local guide, Barbara Kerr, to hear about Lawrence’s history, driving out to Gabriel’s Gully where in 1861 Gabriel Read discovered gold and the gold rush years began.
On the way back to town we visit the Chinese Camp, an historic reserve with the Empire Hotel and the Poon-Fah Joss House being restored.
Leaving Lawrence we lunch with Sarah and Tony Homer at Linlithgow Farm then drive on to Dunedin airport in time for your return flight.
- Guided historical tour in Lawrence
- Lunch with Sarah and Tony Homer at Linlithgow Farm
See More
Next departures
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 03 Jan 2025 - 09 Jan 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 10 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Almost full JUST 1 SEAT LEFT! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 22 Feb 2025 - 28 Feb 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 26 Mar 2025 - 01 Apr 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
General inclusions
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers).
- Services of your knowledgeable MoaTours Kiwi guide.
- Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place”.
- Return airfares from Auckland. (please ask us about flights from other airports)
All Meals Are Included
- All Breakfasts
- All Lunches
- All Dinners
Included Experiences
The following activities and attractions are all included in the price of your tour:
Included Sightseeing & Exploring
You’ll visit all the following spots on the tour.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 03 Jan 2025 - 09 Jan 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 10 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Almost full JUST 1 SEAT LEFT! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 22 Feb 2025 - 28 Feb 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 26 Mar 2025 - 01 Apr 2025 | $4,290 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
