TOUR 1129
Full Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Hawke’s Bay to Blenheim
We set off from Hawke’s Bay to Wellington arriving in time for our mid-afternoon Interislander ferry sailing through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds to Picton and on to Blenheim where we overnight.
Day 2: Blenheim to Kaikoura
We continue our road trip south from Blenheim this morning through Seddon and Ward towards Kaikoura. This is an opportunity to see, close-up, the extent of the massive engineering works that have taken place on the coastal highway since the devastating 2016 earthquake. We’ll stop at the remodelled Ohau Point to view the seal colony – not even an earthquake and major earthworks can keep them away. Then it’s into Kaikoura for lunch before we head to the ‘Whaleway Station’ to check-in for our afternoon out with Whale Watch Kaikoura. This part of the NZ coastline is one of the few places in the world where Sperm Whales can be seen close to shore all year round. The 3km deep Kaikoura Canyon just offshore ensures an abundance of food that attracts Humpback Whales, Southern Right Whales, Pilot Whales, Minke Whales, Orca and even the largest animal to have ever lived on the earth – the Blue Whale. We will see any mixture of these up close together with loads of other sea creatures. There’s no hurry for us as tonight we stay right in the heart of Kaikoura so there’s even time to visit the legendary Kaikoura Seafood Barbeque Shack for their famous Crayfish. Dinner tonight is at the historic Pier Hotel.
Day 3: Cheviot Hills Estate, Cathedral Cliffs, Hanmer Springs
Today we explore the Hurunui and Cheviot districts starting with a visit to one of the largest sheep runs in the history of Canterbury – Cheviot Hills Estate. We’ll have a cuppa here and learn about the forceful character responsible for this enormous enterprise and the breath-taking extent of his influence. Then it’s on through Gore Bay stopping to view the astonishing natural rock formations known locally as ‘Cathedral Cliffs’. Before we enjoy lunch at Culverden. In the afternoon we’ll cross the Amuri Basin through the town of Rotherham to the village of Waiau, epicentre of the so-called Kaikoura earthquake. We’ll have an afternoon cuppa on the village green with a prominent local family who have lived in Waiau for generations. And they have some amazing sights to show us. Our final destination of the day is Hanmer Springs and our base for this evening, the Hanmer Springs Resort Hotel. There’s definitely time for a soak in the Hot Pools before dinner.
Day 4: Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
We have the rare opportunity today to visit two ‘Gardens Of National Significance’. Our first visit is to Coldstream at Culverden. Owner Vicki Collett will tell us about, and show us around her mature garden of 2 acres which surrounds the house built of Oamaru stone. Then it’s on to the village of Hawarden and the large country garden called Flaxmere which has been recognised by the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture for 50 years. We’ll have lunch here as well as being shown around this awesome property. In the afternoon we continue our drive to Christchurch and stay the next 2 nights at the lovely Fable Christchurch Hotel.
Day 5: Christchurch, Port Hills, Otoromio Hotel, Otahuna Lodge
We explore south of Christchurch city today, firstly with a ride to the top of the Port Hills on the Christchurch Gondola and a cuppa at the café at the top. Then we’ll drive through to Lyttleton for a look around, before venturing further around Governors Bay to the historic Otoromio Hotel for lunch. A real treat awaits us this afternoon – a visit to Otahuna Lodge, one of the finest 19th century houses built in NZ. Now a private luxury lodge, the house and gardens continue to evoke the grandeur of the late Victorian period.
Day 6: Coastal Pacific Train to Picton
This morning we’re up early to board the Coastal Pacific train to Picton for a very different perspective of the coastal landscape. The huge panoramic windows and expert staff onboard will make sure you don’t miss a single moment of this incredible journey along the Pacific Coast as well as rolling back country vistas and views of incredible feats of civil engineering. River bridges, viaducts over gorges and tunnels through mountains, these are all part of the exciting Coastal Pacific experience. But the day’s excitement doesn’t end when the train pulls into Picton. We then take to the water for an amazing cruise of Queen Charlotte Sound and a chance to try the myriad of seafood farmed along its shores and in its coves. Phew! What a day to stimulate the senses. We overnight in Blenheim tonight.
Day 7: Awatere Valley & Blenheim
Today we visit some of the quiet jewels of the Marlborough region, like the magnificent Barewood Garden nestled in the Awatere Valley, the stunning Saint Clair winery restaurant for lunch and local chocolate producer Makana. These treasures of Marlborough – some well hidden – are all on the agenda today…and more.
Day 8: Blenheim to Hawke’s Bay
Our journey home today starts, of course, with a return ferry crossing of Cook Strait before we drive northward back to the Bay and home. By traversing the Marlborough, Kaikoura, Cheviot, Hurunui and Christchurch districts using a variety of modes of transport, and taking a variety of routes, we gain a more complete view of a place and an appreciation of our country’s diverse landscape. Come and enjoy a uniquely Kiwi view of this wonderful part of New Zealand.
