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, the route taken by miners over to the goldfields.

Departs from Christchurch with stays in Methven, Geraldine, Mt Cook, Ranfurly and Lawrence.

Departure Dates

29 March 2024

31 October 2024

Day 1:  Christchurch- Darfield - Methven
From Christchurch we drive westwards to lunch at historic Homebush Station, Darfield with Crispin and Fleur Deans and to visit their museum, heritage farm buildings and the garden developed by the family since the 1850s. We continue through the Rakaia Gorge to Ski Time Lodge in Methven and dine in this evening

Day 2: Methven - Erewhon Station - Geraldine
Erewhon Station is at the top of the Rangitata Gorge in Lord of the Rings scenery. Colin Drummond and Erin Cassie use horses for their station work and hitch up their team of Clydesdales to take us for a wagon ride. Later we drive to Geraldine to stay two nights at the Scenic Route Motor Lodge

Day 3:  Geraldine - Orari Gorge Station - Orari Estate Station - Geraldine
At Orari Gorge Station in the South Canterbury foothills we meet Rosa Peacock who guides us through the historic farm buildings and an expansive garden. We meet Rosie Morten at Orari Estate Station, where the garden is set around a pond, and return to Geraldine in time to check out the artisan shops.

Day 4:  Geraldine - Four Peaks Station - Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook
At Four Peaks Station we meet Jo and Steve McAtamney and drive out the back of their farm to Sutherland’s Hut, built in 1866 it’s the oldest hut in the high country. At Burkes Pass we enter the Mackenzie Country and stop to enjoy the views at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. We stay at The Hermitage and dine in this evening.

Day 5:  Mt Cook - Hakataramea - Duntroon - Danseys Pass - Ranfurly
Travel the Waitaki Valley to Kurow and on to lunch with the Pavletich family who have lived at Station Peak, Hakataramea since 1917. We drive up the gravel road to Danseys Pass and call in for refreshments at the Danseys Pass Coach Inn, once at the hub of a thriving goldfield, before reaching Hawkdun Lodge in Ranfurly.

Day 6:  Ranfurly - Macraes Flat - Hyde - Middlemarch - Lawrence
Visit Art Deco Ranfurly and view Macraes Flat vast open cast gold mine. We lunch nearby at Stanley’s Hotel built in 1882 and drive the golden tussocks of the Rock and Pillar range to Middlemarch and onto Lawrence to stay the night. Meet the locals restoring their pretty town, once the gateway to the goldfields.

Day 7:  Lawrence - Gabriel's Gully - Dunedin 
With Barbara, our local guide, we hear about Lawrence’s history, visiting the historic Chinese Camp which is being restored and Gabriel’s Gully where in 1861 Gabriel Read discovered gold and the gold rush years began. We lunch with Sarah Homer at Linlithgow Farm on the way to Dunedin Airport.

• 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"
• All breakfasts(B).
• All lunches (L)
• All dinners (D) 
• Visit the Deans’ Homebush Station Darfield, family history and farm buildings.
• Take a wagon ride pulled by Clydesdales with Erin Cassie at Erewhon Station.
• Visit the Peacock’s Orari Gorge Station, gardens and buildings.
• Geraldine’s town and country gardens.
• Stay in view rooms at The Hemitage, Aoraki/Mt Cook.
• Stop for refreshments at Danseys Pass Coach Inn.