High Country Stations, Gardens & Goldfields
7 day small group South Island tour
Come and 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 following the old route taken by stockmen and miners over to the Maniototo and the goldfields.
WHAT TRACY LOVES ABOUT THIS TOUR: Some farms have stayed in the same family with buildings and gardens dating back to the pioneers. At Four Peaks Station, Jo and Steve McAtamney drive us out the back of their farm to lunch at Sutherland’s Hut, the oldest Shepherd’s Hut in the high country.
Day 1
Fly to Christchurch - Homebush Station, Darfield - Methven
From Christchurch airport we drive to Crispin and Fleur Deans’ Homebush Station near Darfield for lunch and visit their museum with its treasure trove of Kiwiana and the magnificent heritage farm buildings and garden developed by the family since the 1850s.
We continue on to the Rakaia River Gorge and stay in Methven village at Ski Time Lodge. We dine at Ski Time Lodge this evening.
- Meet one of the original Canterbury settler families at Homebush Station
- Homebush’s eclectic Kiwiana museum and heritage farm buildings
- Methven - Ski Time Lodge
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Accommodation
Methven - Ski Time Lodge
In Methven you’ll stay at the Ski Time Lodge, just a short walk to the town centre. You’ll enjoy all the creature comforts, an extensive wine list, great food, amazing views and brilliant service.
What we love most about Methven Ski Time Lodge – it has to be the stunning views of the Southern Alps!
Day 2
Methven - Hakatere Farm Buildings - Lake Heron Station - Geraldine
From Methven, we visit the historic Hakatere Station Accommodation Buildings. These were used from the 1860s by the shepherds and shearers involved in mid-Canterbury’s large scale farming.
We head on to Lake Heron Station in the alps which is home to 11,000 merino sheep. Farmed by the Todhunter family since 1917, we meet Anne and Philip over lunch and hear stories of high country life. We stay two nights at Scenic Route Motor Lodge, Geraldine and dine in town.
- Historic Hakatere Station Accommodation Buildings
- Meet Anne and Philip Todhunter over lunch at Lake Heron Station
- Geraldine - Scenic Route Motor Lodge
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Accommodation
Geraldine - Scenic Route Motor Lodge
Modern, comfortable and located within the heart of the Geraldine township. The boutique shopping area is within a short walk of your accommodation tonight or for the adventurous, Talbot Forest offers many short bush walks as does the Waihi River.
What we love about the Scenic Route Motor Lodge – Southern hospitality at the newest motel complex in Geraldine provides the perfect springboard to explore the South Canterbury region during our two night stay.
Day 3
Geraldine - Orari Gorge Station - Kakahu Farm - Geraldine
At Orari Gorge Station we meet Rosa Peacock to hear the stories of the historic farm buildings and stroll in the expansive garden.
We lunch with Anna and Tom Hargreaves at Kakahu Angus Farm and historic garden and drive the farm tracks to enjoy the views. We return to Geraldine in time to stroll around the artisan shops specialising in cheeses, preserves and woodworking to name a few.
- Two historic Canterbury station gardens
- The artisan producers of Geraldine
- Geraldine - Scenic Route Motor Lodge
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Accommodation
Geraldine - Scenic Route Motor Lodge
Modern, comfortable and located within the heart of the Geraldine township. The boutique shopping area is within a short walk of your accommodation tonight or for the adventurous, Talbot Forest offers many short bush walks as does the Waihi River.
What we love about the Scenic Route Motor Lodge – Southern hospitality at the newest motel complex in Geraldine provides the perfect springboard to explore the South Canterbury region during our two night stay.
Day 4
Geraldine - Four Peaks Station - Lake Tekapo - Aoraki/Mt Cook
We head to Four Peaks Station to meet Jo and Steve McAtamney and drive out the back of their farm to lunch at Sutherland’s Hut, built in 1866 it’s the oldest shepherd’s hut in the high country.
At Burkes Pass we enter the Mackenzie Country and stop to enjoy the spectacular views from the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo and from the lookout at Lake Pukaki. We drive up the valley to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village to stay at The Hermitage and dine in among the mountains.
- Visit historic Sutherland’s Hut at Four Peaks Station
- Stay and dine in the iconic Hermitage Hotel
- Mount Cook - The Hermitage Hotel
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Accommodation
MOUNT COOK - THE HERMITAGE HOTEL
Another national icon, the ghost of the greatest Kiwi of all, Sir Edmund Hillary, is everywhere here. There is no more stunning setting in the entire country, spectacular views of New Zealand’s highest peak and you can walk right out the front door into the great scenery.
What we love about the Hermitage – Having a drink in the Snowline bar watching the sunset work its magic on ‘the cloud piercer’.
Day 5
Aoraki/Mt Cook - Glenbrook Station - Danseys Pass - Ranfurly
Take a stroll in Aoraki/Mt Cook’s stunning alpine valley before lunching with Kirsty and Simon Williamson at Glenbrook Station in the Mackenzie Country. We drive along the farm tracks and hear the stories of their Merino, Shorthorn Stud and cropping enterprises.
The gravel road up Danseys Pass was the route traditionally used by stockmen and also miners as a short cut to Central Otago’s goldfields. We stop for refreshments at Danseys Pass Hotel and drive into Naseby, both were goldrush hubs, before reaching Hawkdun Lodge, Ranfurly where we dine in this evening.
- Lunch and farm tour with Kirsty and Simon Williamson at Glenbrook Station
- Remote Danseys Pass, a road less travelled
- Ranfurly - Hawkdun Lodge
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Accommodation
RANFURLY - HAWKDUN LODGE
Hawkdun Lodge is a quality motel-style complex offering a relaxing escape with an abundance of comfort, style and space. Hawkdun Lodge is located in Ranfurly, the main township in the Maniototo district of Central Otago.
What we love about Hawkdun Lodge – Contemporary accommodation with warm and friendly hosts makes Hawkdun Lodge a remarkable property for such a small town.
Day 6
Ranfurly - Macraes Flat - Hyde - Middlemarch - Lawrence
We visit Ranfurly’s Art Deco buildings and then at Macraes Flat follow a trail telling the story of the current and historic goldmine mine. We lunch nearby at Stanley’s Hotel built in 1882. The scenery is classic Central Otago along the Moonlight Road and through the golden tussocks of the Rock and Pillar range to Middlemarch.
We take a back road to Lake Waipouri and on to Lawrence where we stay the night and dine in town. The locals have got together to restore their town which was the gateway to the goldfields.
- Art Deco Ranfurly
- Stanley’s Hotel at Macraes Flat
- Lawrence Accommodation
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Accommodation
LAWRENCE ACCOMMODATION
Lawrence is a quaint village with limited accommodation. Our group stays in a variety of accommodation around the village and our Kiwi Guide arranges the transfers to the Walnut Cafe for dinner and breakfast.
What we love about Lawrence – Lawrence is a very special, historic place with welcoming hosts and locals.
Day 7
Lawrence - Gabriel's Gully - Linlithgow Farm - Dunedin - Return flight
We breakfast in town and meet up with our local guide, Barbara Kerr, to hear about Lawrence’s history, driving out to Gabriel’s Gully where in 1861 Gabriel Read discovered gold and the gold rush years began.
On the way back to town we drive by a historic reserve, the Chinese Camp, where the Empire Hotel and Poon-Fah Joss House are being restored.
Leaving Lawrence we lunch with Sarah and Tony Homer at Linlithgow Farm then drive on to Dunedin airport in time for your return flight.
- Guided historical tour in Lawrence
- Lunch with Sarah and Tony Homer at Linlithgow Farm
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General inclusions
- 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”.
- Return airfares from Auckland. (please ask us about flights from other airports)
All Meals Are Included
- All Breakfasts
- All Lunches
- All Dinners
Included Experiences
The following activities and attractions are all included in the price of your tour:
Included Sightseeing & Exploring
You’ll visit all the following spots on the tour.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 29 Oct 2026 - 04 Nov 2026 | $5,390 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 04 Nov 2026 - 10 Nov 2026 | $5,390 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 23 Nov 2026 - 29 Nov 2026 | $5,390 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 04 Jan 2027 - 10 Jan 2027 | $5,390 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 10 Feb 2027 - 16 Feb 2027 | $5,390 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 18 Feb 2027 - 24 Feb 2027 | $5,390 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 30 Mar 2027 - 05 Apr 2027 | $5,390 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |