Our Easter escape heads north from Christchurch to lunch with Vicki and Andrew at Coldstream Farm on the way to Kaikoura. Drive the coastal highway to Blenheim and enjoy Gold Passes to the Airshow at Omaka. Discover the beauty of Pelorus Sound and Kenepuru Sound on a cruise to a mussel farm.
It’s exciting and heart stopping to see Omaka’s Heritage Centre’s vintage aircraft leave the hangars and take to the skies. With mock airfield attacks, ground theatre and pyrotechnics just for starters, the organisers are promising more than a few extra tricks up their sleeve.
Day 1: Auckland - Christchurch - Kaikoura
On arrival in Christchurch we drive to lunch at Culverden with Vicki Collett and Andrew Dalzell at Coldstream Farm set in beautiful gardens.
In Kaikoura we visit Fyffe House, built in the 1840s on whalebone foundations, the oldest building in Kaikoura. At the Museum the displays include the “New Normal, the Kaikoura Earthquake Exhibition”.
We stay at The White Morph right across from the ocean in Kaikoura and dine out this evening.
- Home hosted lunch and South Island hospitality at Coldstream farm
- An evening walk on the seaside in Kaikoura, right across from our accommodation
Day 2: Kaikoura - Blenheim - Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow, Omaka - Picton
This morning we visit the nearby seal colony and take in the views of the peninsula from the lookout. We stop for lunch at The Store at Kekerangu beside the sea, then continue on to Blenheim. At the airfield the opening night's Twilight Extravaganza and fireworks.show gets underway early.
In the mid evening we drive out to Picton to the Picton Yacht Club Hotel where we stay three nights.
- The Kaikoura Coastal road
- Opening night fireworks at the airshow
Day 3: Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow, Omaka
Enjoy a full day at the Airshow from 10am to 4pm. Your Gold Pass provides grandstand seating and access to the Gold Pass Marquee where lunch is served and complimentary tea and coffee.
Visit the Knights of the Sky exhibtion at Omaka - Sir Peter Jackson's own collection of First World War aircraft and artefacts. This story of aviation is brought to life in sets created by Weta Workshop
In the late afternoon we return to our hotel and dine in this evening.
- A full day to enjoy the airshow
Day 4: Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow, Omaka
We return to Omaka Airfield to watch the aerial displays on the final day at the Airshow.
First World War and Second World War aircraft are featured and the world’s only air worthy Avro Anson Mk1 along with other classy vintage machines. A complimentary lunch is served.
We sight see around the Blenheim vineyards before returning for dinner in Picton.
- The final day finale of the Airshow
- Our final dinner together in the South Island
Day 5: Picton - Havelock - Kenepuru Sound - Blenheim - Auckland
Departing Picton after breakfast we arrive in Havelock to join our launch cruise through the inner Pelorus Sound and out into Kenepuru Sound to a Greenshell mussel farm. Hear about mussel farming and sample the fresh produce.
We return to the Slip Inn at Havelock Marina for lunch and to stroll a nearby short track. Then in the mid afternoon we transfer to Blenheim Airport for your flight to Auckland.
- Cruise the Kenepuru Sound and try fresh mussels
- Lunch at Slip Inn on the Havelock Marina