Back Country Real Estate Central Otago Back Country 6-12 February 2017
Itinerary Join us on a new adventure as we discover the magnificent back country of the Central Otago region. We do however stress that we are travelling over, at times, uneven terrain in 4WD vehicles. Toilet facilities are often limited. A level of basic fitness, together with a flexible attitude is strongly recommended. Please note that due to the type of roads and terrain we cover on this tour, the itinerary may need to be changed due to weather events and road closures. We have several great alternatives if changes are necessary. Day 1: Monday 6 February -Travelling to Kaikoura An early start from all destinations this morning as we are transferred to Wellington and meet at the ferry terminal for a morning sailing across Cook Strait to Picton. After lunch in Picton, we make our way down the scenic Pacific Coastal Highway to our destination Kaikoura, where we are hosted in a peaceful rural setting with views across farmland to a back drop of Mt Fyffe Kaikoura s most prominent landmark. After our early start to the day, we welcome the opportunity to dine in this evening. Day 2: Tuesday 7 February Kaikoura to Oamaru On the road again this morning we begin our journey through to Oamaru, travelling through rolling North Canterbury countryside before following the well named Scenic Inland Route, breaking up our day with a welcome morning tea stop in Amberley, and a lunch break in Oxford (own cost). Another short break in Geraldine will see us through to our destination Oamaru, where we have time to settle in before dining in this evening. Day 3: Wednesday 8 February Oamaru to Alexandra via Waitaki Valley We re on the road bright and early this morning with a big day of travel and exploration ahead of us. Our travels take us up the Waitaki Valley, where there is much to see as we travel past the three massive man-made lakes that form the Lower Waitaki Valley Power Scheme. Our day begins by travelling through countryside dotted with remarkable limestone outcrops, including the Elephant Rocks an impressive cluster of weathered limestone boulders scattered across rolling farmland, and which we stop to view. Continuing up the valley, we stop to view an interesting archaeological site, the Takiroa rock art shelter. These are pre-european Maori images created with charcoal and red ochre on the walls of a limestone overhang. Next we visit the St Albans Church of Kurow, a striking collection of Oamaru stone buildings built in 1892 from a bequest from the widow of the Hon. Robert Campbell, a wealthy landowner and MP, who also established Campbell Park Estate, located nearby, and of which we will also get a glimpse. Campbell Park is another magnificent collection of stone buildings featuring a large and impressive homestead, as well as stables and outbuildings, which for much of last century was run as a special needs school.
Itinerary Kurow is our lunch stop today (at our own cost and leisure), before we continue up valley to Aviemore, where we cross over the dam to follow a scenic road that winds around the shoreline of Lake Aviemore. Crossing back over the impressive Benmore Dam, we return to the main road once again, traveling through to Omarama and over the tussocky slopes of the Lindis Pass. After a busy day of discovery, our destination today is Alexandra in the heart of Central Otago, our home for the next four nights We dine in tonight. Over the next few days we will have time to explore and get to know this interesting town located on the banks of the Clutha River. A lookout up in the schisty outcrops of the hills above the town, and many other photographic opportunities present themselves, such as the iconic 11 metre clock on the hill, the Shaky bridge opened in 1879, and the historic bridge pylons of the original bridge that spanned the Clutha to name a few. Day 4: Thursday 9 February The Nevis Valley Our back country adventures begin today, as we explore the hidden Nevis Valley before circling around past Lake Wakatipu and back through the Kawarau Gorge. The road ascends to 1300m on the Carrick Range behind Bannockburn, with wonderful views of the surrounding ranges, and back over Cromwell, Lake Dunstan and the Upper Clutha Valley. This barren, rocky landscape is dominated by native tussock, spaniard, and matagouri, with numerous reminders of the history of the area evident as well: dredge ponds and tailings, gold mines, dwellings, and a cemetery. We then descend into the Nevis Valley, a steep v shaped gorge between the Hector and Garvie mountains, finally returning to civilisation at the small settlement of Garston, where we enjoy a picnic lunch before making our way back to Alexandra, returning via the Kawarau Gorge. We dine out at a local Alexandra Restaurant this evening.
Day 5: Friday 10 February Thompsons Track The route we explore today bisects the Dunstan Mountains and follows a track that led from the Manuherikia Valley to the gold mines of Bendigo in the Upper Clutha Valley. The route starts near the old gold mining area of Matakanui and winds its way up through the gorge and over the 900m saddle into the Bendigo area. On the eastern side of the range the views back towards the distinctive flat topped Hawkdun Range are awe inspiring. We uncover more of Central Otago s goldmining history at Thomsons Creek which is scoured with gold workings all the way to the top. An old stone hut built in 1908 sheltered the drovers and travelers on their arduous journey to and from the goldfields. Traversing the Dunstan Range, we then wind our way down through the Rise and Shine Valley, again travelling through a gold field that was once a hive of activity. We enjoy a picnic lunch again today at the little settlement of Tarras, with time also to browse the Merino Shop for quality wool products, and the small memorial museum to Shrek the Sheep. Travelling back to Alexandra via the main road, we have time upon our return to visit the Central Stories Museum and Gallery, which tells the stories of the history and natural history of the area. Meet the three Otago Skinks basking on top of a rock in their enclosure, learn about the unique Central Otago geology, and have a browse in the Art Gallery. This evening we dine in again. Day 6: Saturday 11 February Poolburn Reservoir/Old Dunstan Road Today s adventure is a half day excursion on a trail that takes us up onto Rough Ridge and a section of the Old Dunstan Trail. This track was used by gold miners seeking the riches of the Dunstan (Clyde) gold diggings in the 1860 s as it was the shortest route from Dunedin to Dunstan. This is barren, rocky land, with not a tree in sight, but is spectacularly scenic! The trail leaves the Ida Valley at Moa Creek and winds up the hill to the Poolburn Reservoir (site of Rohan Village in The Lord of the Rings ). Poolburn Reservoir was completed in 1931 as a storage area for irrigation water to feed the fertile land in the floor of the Ida Valley and covers over 300 hectares when full. It is a popular recreational area for anglers and boaties. Our return journey takes us back through the tiny historic settlement of Ophir with its handsome post office and other buildings of interest, returning to Alexandra in time for lunch at our own cost and leisure.
This afternoon we join a heritage cruise on the mighty Clutha River. Our excursion takes us down river through the stunning Roxburgh Gorge to the historic Doctors Point gold mine, and en route we learn about the gold field history of the region, much of which is inextricably linked to the Clutha. We dine out again this evening, venturing up to quaint Clyde where we dine at the Post Office Café, one of the character heritage buildings of this historic village. Day 7: Sunday 12 February Travelling Home Departing Alexandra this morning we make our way back up the Kawarau Gorge with enough time to allow for a short morning wander of gorgeous Arrowtown, with its quaint miners cottages and leafy streets, before making our way to Queenstown Airport to check in for our flight home. Flying out of Queenstown is an incredible experience as the aircraft ascends over the tops of Coronet Peak and the craggy Remarkable Ranges. Farewelling our fellow travellers at Wellington Airport, we will be met by transfer vehicles to return us to our home towns.
Tour Schedule Price Per Person: Double or twin share...$2980.00 per person Single Accommodation......$3475.00 per person Cost of Tour Includes: Accommodation 2 course or buffet dinners Breakfasts Morning teas on most travelling days All coach travel One way Air New Zealand flight Queenstown to Wellington One way Interislander Ferry transfer 2 picnic lunches 3 Guided Safari tours inclusive of refreshments Nevis Valley Thompsons Track Poolburn Reservoir Clutha River heritage boat cruise Visit St Albans Church, Kurow Deposit required to confirm your booking:...$380.00 Balance payable by...6 January 2017 To: Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa Ltd, P O Box 116 MASTERTON 5840 Phone (0800) 471 227 or (06) 370 6600 Please read Terms and Conditions on separate sheet