November 2020

Day 1:             Arrival Dunedin
Wednesday 11                          (D)

Join our flight to the heritage city of Dunedin.  On arrival we are met by our driver and coach and transferred to our hotel where we stay for 2 nights.   Join our Tour Manager for dinner at the hotel.

Day 2:             Dunedin        (BD)

Thursday 12

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this fabulous city.  Visit Dunedin’s Botanic Garden—NZ’s first botanic garden & a Garden of International          Significance.  It has hill views from sunny lawns, more than 6,800 plant species and the song of wild native bellbirds, wood pigeons and tui.  We’ll also visit the Chinese garden—a garden of National Significance. A perfect miniature of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, this garden encapsulates the essence of nature.    This afternoon is at leisure.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 3: Dunedin—Oamaru  (BLD)

Friday 13:

After breakfast we journey north to Moeraki.  Here we visit the mysterious spherical boulders. The boulders are one of the most fascinating and popular          attractions in the South Island.  They originally started forming in ancient sea floor sediments around 60 million years ago and the largest boulders are estimated to have taken about 4 million years to get to their current size.  Some of them weigh several tonnes and the largest ones can be over 2 metres wide!  We will enjoy lunch at Fleurs Restaurant on the waterfront at the old Jetty which became popular after the    celebrity chief Rick Stein visited and loved the food.

Then it’s on to Oamaru, the largest town in the South Island with a population of around 12,000 and an impressive heritage.  Many of the elegant historic buildings were made from the local sandstone.  This afternoon we will experience the delightful elegance of the Victorian Garden Party.  Admire the elegance of the costumes and perhaps enjoy a horse a carriage ride through the gardens.  Stay 2 nights at our central hotel.

Day 4: Oamaru (BD)

Saturday 14:

This morning we visit the stunning Rockvale Gardens for morning tea.  At midday we enjoy the Victorian Heritage Celebrations and watch the Whitestone Contracting Grand Street Parade as it travels through the Victorian Precinct and lower Thames Street.

After dinner at the hotel we will visit the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.  We will make our way out to the grandstand and enter into the breeding colony on a boardwalk and walk among their nesting burrows.  As we are only a few metres away from the penguins, we need to remain still and quiet as the penguins are so close and are frightened by sudden movement. Return to the hotel late evening.

Day 5: Oamaru—Christchurch (BLD)

Sunday 15:

Today we travel through the towns of  Timaru and Temuka (famous for its pottery) and then onto Geraldine where we visit Barker’s of Geraldine.  Their store is still on a corner of the original family farm, and sits in the lea of the Four Peaks mountain range beside the Te Moana River and surrounded by rolling pastures.  The farm is now a  thriving business, making world class jams,  chutney’s, syrups and condiments.  We will enjoy lunch at this lovely spot.  We then travel onto Christchurch via  Ashburton—a large town that sits between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers, so fly fishing is the local obsession.  On arrival in Christchurch we are transferred to our central hotel.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: Christchurch           (BSD)  

Monday 16:

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this beautiful “garden city”.  Christchurch has been rebuilding and revitalizing itself following the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 so you will find everything is a little bit different.  You’ll enjoy the new, emerging city which is modern, greener and more creative than ever before !  We’ll take in the sights of the  Garden City’s crowning glory—Hagley Park with which offers 165 hectares (407 acres) of mature introduced tree plantings, see the beautiful    Botanical Gardens not to mention the  shallow Avon river meandering through the city centre.  The afternoon is leisure.

This evening we’ll experience a unique dinner onboard the Christchurch Tramcar   Restaurant.   Enjoy the luxury of an  air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram and be treated to fine service, beautiful cuisine and beverages as we travel through the inner city.

Day 7: Christchurch—Blenheim   (BD)

Tuesday 17:

The trip north takes you past the surf beaches of Woodend, Waikuku, Leithfield and Amberley.   Pass through the town of Waipara known for its vineyards and olive groves. The impressive scenery of the coastal ranges accompanies the rest of the way.  We will stop at the coastal settlement of Kaikoura for lunch (own expense).  Its then via the small towns of Clarence & Seddon before reaching the sunny settlement of Blenheim where we stay 2 nights.

Day 8: Blenheim (BD)

Wednesday 18:

Time in the morning to check out the shops before joining our coach to enjoy the sights of this lush wine growing region including a visit to a charming private garden.  Today we will also visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum—a world-class destination for the appreciation of historic aircraft.  Not just for enthusiasts, the       centre tells the story of aviation during two World Wars, the time in which the most  intense period of aviation development took place.  Return to the hotel late  afternoon.

Day 9: Blenheim/Auckland                (BL)

Thursday 19:

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on our last morning on tour in this delightful area of the world.   Then its off to one of their  renowned wineries—Wither Hills, where we enjoy a farewell lunch along with a glass of their famous Sauvignon blanc. What a perfect way to finish the tour. Cheers!!!  Our coach then takes us to the airport where we join our flight home again.

 

LOOK WHATS INCLUDED!!!

• Return airfares from Auckland/Tauranga and Wellington (prices available from other centres)
• Quality accommodation in twin rooms with private facilities
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily as detailed on the itinerary
• Visit to Botanic Garden & Chinese Garden
• Lunch at Fleur’s Place Oamaru
• Victorian Afternoon Tea
• Victoria Street Parade
• Morning Tea & visit to Rockvale Garden
• Lunch at Barkers eatery Geraldine
• Dinner onboard the Christchurch Tram car Restaurant
• Private Garden Visit Blenheim
• Visit Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
• Lunch and glass of wine at Wither Hills Blenheim
• Services of a Tour Manager from Auckland back to Auckland (subject to numbers)
• FREE home pick up and return in the greater Auckland , Wellington or Tauranga areas.

 

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:

A limited number of single rooms are available at a surcharge of $680.00.

 

DEPOSIT:

A deposit of $700 per person is payable to hold a seat on the tour with the balance payable 11 October 2020

 

LOYALTY DISCOUNT:

Previous travellers receive a $50 discount off the brochure price (not combinable with any other offers)

 

INSURANCE:

We strongly suggest you take out domestic cancellation insurance to cover for  cancellation due to illness etc.  (Please phone us for further details).

 

CANCELLATION CHARGES:

Deposit:  Fully refundable up to 11 October.

12 October—11 November 2020 100% of tour cost.

 

 

* Please note that if the tour is cancelled due to any Government regulation

we will refund all monies received back from our suppliers so you can book with confidence.

 

Tour is subject to normal booking conditions of Supreme Tours and Travel  Ltd