Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
small group escapes
for mature travellers

      2020/2021
    tour programme
Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
small group escapes
                                                                                                                                                                 for mature travellers

                                                                                                                                                    One of the best views of Aoraki/Mt Cook is from Lake Pukaki
    2020/2021 Tour Programme
    4    Introduction to MoaTours                  20     Country Roads & Cross Hills                 36   Christmas in Taranaki                              MARCH
                                                          Gardens Fair                                     Thursday 24 Dec – Monday 28 Dec            24      Molesworth Station, the Abel Tasman &
    6    MoaTours Activities                              Monday 16 Nov - Sunday 22 Nov                    Cost: $2,690 per person twin share/                Golden Bay
                                                          Cost: $2,990 per person twin share/              $2,990 per person single accommodation             Thursday 4 Mar – Wednesday 10 Mar
                                                          $3,390 per person single accommodation                                                              Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/
         OCTOBER
                                                                                                                                                              $3,990 per person single accommodation
    8    Taranaki Rhododendron Gardens                                                                38   Christmas in the Bay
         Wednesday 14 Oct– Sunday 18 Oct           22
                                                    High Country Stations,                                 Thursday 24 Dec – Monday 28 Dec            50      Summertime in Northland
         Cost: $2,190 per person twin share/        Gardens & Goldfields                                   Cost: $2,690 per person twin share/                Sunday 7 Mar - Friday 12 Mar
         $2,490 per person single accommodation     Tuesday 17 Nov – Monday 23 Nov		                       $2,990 per person single accommodation             Cost: $2,590 per person twin share/
                                                   		Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/              40   Queenstown New Year’s Eve &                        $2,990 per person single accommodation
    10   The Bridge to Nowhere &                    $3,990 per person single accommodation                 Southern Icons
         Forgotten Worlds                                                                                  Wednesday 30 Dec – Monday 4 Jan            52      Early Explorers from Queen Charlotte
         Wednesday 28 Oct - Tuesday 3 Nov          24     Molesworth Station, the Abel Tasman & 		         Cost: $3,990 per person twin share/                Sound to Akaroa
                                                          Golden Bay                                       $4,390 per person single accommodation             Sunday 14 Mar - Saturday 20 Mar
         Cost: $2,990 per person twin share/
                                                          Sunday 22 Nov – Saturday 28 Nov                                                                     Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/
         $3,390 per person single accommodation                                                                                                               $3,990 per person single accommodation
                                                          Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/              JANUARY
    12   Canterbury Springtime Gardens &                  $3,990 per person single accommodation      42   Wairarapa Wandering                        30      Karamea & Wild West Coast Trails
         Hanmer Springs Fete                                                                               Monday 11 Jan – Sunday 17 Jan                      Friday 19 March – Thursday 25 March
                                                   26     Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island &               Cost: $2,990 per person twin share/                Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/
         Wednesday 28 Oct - Tuesday 3 Nov
                                                          The Catlins                                      $3,390 per person single accommodation             $3,990 per person single accommodation
         Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/
                                                          Monday 23 Nov – Sunday 29 Nov
         $3,990 per person single accommodation
                                                          Cost: $3,990 per person twin share/              FEBRUARY                                   10      The Bridge to Nowhere &
                                                          $4,390 per person single accommodation      44   Doubtful Sound & West Coast Odyssey                Forgotten Worlds
         NOVEMBER                                                                                                                                             Tuesday 30 Mar - Monday 5 Apr
    14   East Cape Caper                                                                                   Monday 1 Feb - Sunday 7 Feb
                                                          DECEMBER                                                                                            Cost: $2,990 per person twin share/
         Monday 2 Nov – Saturday 7 Nov                                                                     Cost: $3,990 per person twin share/                $3,390 per person single accommodation
                                                   28     Great Barrier Island Escape
         Cost: $2,490 per person twin share/                                                               $4,490 per person single accommodation
                                                          Wednesday 2 Dec – Sunday 6 Dec
         $2,790 per person single accommodation           Monday 7 December – Friday 11 December                                                              APRIL
                                                                                                      14   East Cape Caper                            54      Kaikoura & Yealands Classic
                                                          Cost: $2,590 per person twin share/
    16   Coromandel Caper                                                                                  Tuesday 9 Feb – Sunday 14 Feb                      Fighters Airshow
                                                          $2,990 per person single accommodation                                                              Thursday 1 April - Monday 5 April
         Saturday 7 Nov - Tuesday 10 Nov                                                                   Cost: $2,490 per person twin share/
                                                                                                           $2,790 per person single accommodation             Cost: $2,990 per person twin share/
         Cost: $1,390 per person twin share/       30     Karamea & Wild West Coast Trails                                                                    $3,390 per person single accommodation
         $1,690 per person single accommodation           Thursday 3 Dec – Wednesday 9 Dec
                                                                                                      46   Hawkes Bay Art Deco Festival
                                                          Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/                                                         44      Doubtful Sound & West Coast Odyssey
    10   The Bridge to Nowhere &                                                                           Thursday 18 Feb – Monday 22 Feb                    Sunday 4 April - Saturday 10 April
                                                          $3,990 per person single accommodation
         Forgotten Worlds                                                                                  Cost: $2,290 per person twin share/                Cost: $3,990 per person twin share/
         Sunday 8 Nov - Saturday 14 Nov                                                                    $2,690 per person single accommodation             $4,490 per person single accommodation
                                                   32     Christmas in Northland
         Cost: $2,990 per person twin share/              Wednesday 23 Dec – Monday 28 Dec
         $3,390 per person single accommodation           Cost: $2,790 per person twin share/         26   Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island &         22      High Country Stations, Gardens &
                                                                                                           The Catlins                                        Goldfields
                                                          $3,090 per person single accommodation
                                                                                                           Monday 22 Feb – Sunday 28 Feb                      Tuesday 6 April – Monday 12 April
    18   Otago Farmhouse Gardens &                                                                                                                            Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/
         Victorian Fete                            34     Christmas in Marlborough                         Cost: $3,990 per person twin share/
                                                                                                           $4,390 per person single accommodation              $3,990 per person single accommodation
         Wednesday 11 Nov – Tuesday 17 Nov                Wednesday 23 Dec – Monday 28 Dec
         Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/              Cost: $3,190 per person twin share/                                                         56      How to book with MoaTours
         $3,990 per person single accommodation           $3,590 per person single accommodation      48   The Far South: Hidden Treasures                    What to pack
                                                                                                           Sunday 28 Feb - Saturday 6 Mar
                                                                                                           Cost: $3,490 per person twin share/        58      MoaTours booking conditions
                                                        Cover Photograph: Abel Tasman National Park        $3,990 per person single accommodation             Domestic cancellation insurance

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
Our Kiwi Guides on tour:        Andrew in Gisborne                                          Sean at Cape Reinga                       Dianne at Akaunui Farm                                        Matt in Wellington

      Kia Ora and welcome to MoaTours                                                                             MoaTours small group tours are customised
      We believe MoaTours is New Zealand’s best small group tour company and it’s                                 for mature travellers
      our goal to make your MoaTours holiday your best touring experience ever. We
      started in 1971 so we’re highly experienced and have a passion for sharing our                              MoaTours are designed for discerning, mature travellers who are keen to enjoy
      beautiful country with others, including our own favourite places that are well                             unique experiences. Our 24 carefully crafted itineraries have been developed
      off the beaten track.                                                                                       and refined to present the essence of each region’s outstanding attractions,
                                                                                                                  festivals and hospitality.
      If you have any questions about our tours, please phone Tracy on 0800 662
      462 at the MoaTours office.
                                                                                                                  MoaTours are all inclusive
                                                                                                                  The tour price is all inclusive of land transport, meals, entrance fees, activities and
      Our Kiwi Guides and office team                       All of our guides are experienced in tour
                                                                                                                  Auckland/South Island/Auckland airfares. Many travellers join our tours from outside
                                                            driving and taking care of people, not to
                                                                                                                  Auckland. We will book your flight from your closest airport, just contact us for details.
      Our knowledgeable, helpful Kiwi guides are            mention their in-depth knowledge of our
      here to make every moment enjoyable and               culture, history, flora and fauna. Of course,
                                                            they have a few amusing tales of their own
                                                                                                                  Small groups of 18 travellers
      have a lifetime of holiday memories and
                                                                                                                  With a maximum of 18 travellers on board, every tour is intimate and flexible so it feels
      secret spots they love sharing. They are              to share too!
                                                                                                                  like travelling with a group of friends.
      unanimous in our belief that the personal
      touch of our small group style travel is the          Our Kiwi guides are fully supported by one
                                                            of the most experienced and committed                 Wine and dine with friendly locals and meet our specialist guides
      best way to see our beautiful country.
                                                            teams in New Zealand tourism. Tracy,                  Connecting with the locals is one of the best parts of travelling. We offer one-of-a-kind
                                                            Tanya, Imke and Alisha are here to help               experiences meeting our friendly local hosts over delicious lunches in private homes,
                                                            with any queries. We all aim to make                  gardens and farmhouses. And when we visit galleries, museums and unique places,
                                                            your MoaTours experience relaxed and                  MoaTours have specialist guides arranged to share their passion and knowledge with us.
                                                            enjoyable from start to finish.
                                                                                                                  High quality accommodation
                                                            MoaTours is a family business founded by              Our accommodation is chosen for its sense of place. Relax at the end of the day in
                                                            mother and son team Ena Hutchinson and                quality, contemporary 4-star hotels, and when we’re off the beaten track, in bespoke
                                                            Miles Clark. They live and breathe New                motels and B&Bs.
                                                            Zealand, and are always out and about
                                                            researching new itineraries and refining              Purpose built coaches
                                                            existing ones to ensure our travellers'               We own and operate late model, turbo-diesel midsized coaches. The coaches are
                                                            experience is unsurpassed in New Zealand              comfortably appointed with customised interiors and climate control.
             MoaTours is a family business: Miles and Ena
                                                            small group touring.

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
MoaTours activities are all inclusive
    Our tours visit Cape Reinga and Stewart Island and just about everywhere else
    in between. Wherever you travel with us everything is included and that means
    all activities too. Here’s a selection of photos taken on our recent tours and for
    more details of what activities are included check out the “Tour Highlights” of
    each itinerary.

      Top: The jet boat at Mangapurua Landing, the starting point for The Bridge to Nowhere (right),
    a 40 minute walk each way. Above: Wagon ride at Erewhon Station. Opposite page top: “Milford
        Mariner’s” tender on Milford Sound. Centre left: The rainforest train in Paparoa National Park.
      Centre right: Chaddy’s lifeboat off New Plymouth. Bottom left: On the Forgotten World tracks.
                                                         Bottom right: The Nikau Walk near Karamea.

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
Day 1: Auckland – Piopio – Awakino Gorge – New Plymouth
                                                                                                                         We lunch with Rachel and Denzil Anselmi at Carmel Farm then drive through the
                                                                                                                         Awakino Gorge to visit Diana Montgomery and John Wilmshurst’s beautiful Waiongana
                                                                                                                         riverside garden in New Plymouth. Dine in and stay two nights at the Waterfront Hotel.

                                                                                                                         Day 2: Hirst Cottage – Te Kainga Marire – Tupare – Len Lye Centre – Pukeiti
                                                                                                                         We visit Judi Gopperth at Hirst Cottage, Valda Poletti at Te Kainga Marire then Tupare
                                                                                                                         House and garden. We see kinetic sculptures at the Len Lye Centre and visit Pukeiti, one
                                                                                                                         of the world’s greatest collections of rhododendrons.

                                                                                                                         Day 3: Pukekura Park – Cairnhill Garden – Tawhiti Museum – Whanganui
                                                                                                                         We visit Pukekura Park, Cairnhill Garden at the start of the Forgotten World Highway and
                                                                   Pukeiti is nestled in the rainforest on Mt Taranaki
                                                                                                                         Gravetye Garden. We explore Tawhiti museum before visiting Puketarata garden and
                                                                                                                         touring the landmarks of Whanganui.
    Taranaki Rhododendron Gardens
                                                                                                                         Day 4: Whanganui – Cross Hills Garden – Taihape – Chateau Tongariro
                                                                                                                         We visit family–owned Cross Hills garden renowned for its collection of over 2000
    This tour makes the most of New Plymouth while the rhododendrons bloom.
                                                                                                                         rhododendrons and azaleas. We dine and stay this evening at the classic landmark hotel
    Meet private gardeners, wander magnificent Pukeiti and visit the exhibits in the
                                                                                                                         The Chateau Tongariro at the foot of Mt Ruapehu.
    unique Tawhiti Museum. Other highlights include visits to Hawera, Whanganui,
    Cross Hills garden and the Chateau Tongariro.
                                                                                                                         Day 5: Chateau Tongariro – Aramatai Gardens – Crosshills Garden – Auckland
    Auckland – Pio Pio – New Plymouth – Hawera - Whanganui – Kimbolton –                                                 We drive up Mt Ruapehu to enjoy the view from the Top O’ the Bruce and visit Jill and
    The Chateau Tongariro – Taumarunui – Otorohanga – Auckland                                                           Leo Mouat’s Aramatai Gardens. Our lunch is hosted by Debbie and Fraser Robertson at
                                                                                                                         Crosshills Garden farm and we return to Auckland in the late afternoon.

                                                                                                                                                        There are many pathways to wander at Cross Hills Gardens in the Manawatu

    Tour dates                    Tour Highlights
                                  • Lunch at Carmel Farm with Rachel and Denzil Anselmi
    4 nights/5 days
                                  • Meet John Wilmshurst and Diana Montgomery at Waiongana
    Wednesday 14 October –        • Visit Judi Gopperth at Hirst Cottage and garden
    Sunday 18 October 2020        • Te Kainga Marire, a native garden of Global Significance
                                  • Visit Tupare House and garden now restored to its fomer glory
                                  • At Pukeiti see one of the world’s great rhododendron collections
                                  • Visit Jenny and John Pease’s formal Gravetye Garden
    Cost per person               • Explore Nigel Ogle’s unique creation, Tawhiti Museum
                                  • Wander the Horner’s country garden, Puketarata
    $2,190        $2,490          • The Wilson family’s Cross Hills garden
    Twin Share    Single          • Visit Jill Mouat’s five acre Aramatai Gardens and ponds
                                  • Lunch at Crosshills Garden with Debbie and Fraser Robertson

                         What Tracy loves about this tour:
                         “Enjoy Taranaki’s beauty ahead of the festival crowds when the gardens are
                         fresh and the gardeners too! I especially like having the gardeners and the
                         gardens completely to ourselves. On the first and last day of our travels we
                         enjoy the warmth and hospitality of private farmhouse lunches.”

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
Day 1: Auckland – Rangiriri – Otorohanga – Taumarunui
                                                                                                                       Leaving Auckland, we meet a local guide at the Rangiriri Cultural and Heritage Centre
                                                                                                                       for an insight into the 1863 invasion of the Waikato. Further south we stop for lunch with
                                                                                                                       Debbie and Fraser Robertson at Crosshills Farm. Later in the day, we reach Taumarunui,
                                                                                                                       where we stay and dine in at the Forgotten World Motel for two evenings.

                                                                                                                       Day 2: Forgotten World Rail carts – Whangamomona – Taumarunui
                                                                                                                       We call into Lauren’s Lavender Farm beside the Whanganui River then drive deep into
                                                                                                                       the Forgotten World Highway to Whangamomona for lunch at the iconic and remote
                                                                                                                       hotel. Then climb on the rail carts to travel the track through the bushclad Tangarakau
                                                                                                                       Gorge and on to Tokirima where your coach awaits to return to Taumarunui.
                                                  At Pipiriki we hop on the jet boat bound for the Bridge to Nowhere

                                                                                                                       Day 3: Taumarunui – Pipiriki – Whanganui River – Jerusalem – Whanganui
     The Bridge to Nowhere & Forgotten Worlds                                                                          At Pipiriki we meet our jet boat for an hour’s ride upstream in sublime scenery to the
                                                                                                                       Mangapurua Landing. Depending on your level of fitness either walk with your guide to
     We follow rail, river and walking tracks, once the lifeblood of the Central North                                 The Bridge to Nowhere (40 minutes approximately each way) or continue upstream on
     Island. Ride rail carts and cruise the Whanganui River by jet boat up to the landing                              the jet boat. Returning to Pipiriki we drive to Jerusalem and on to Whanganui.
     to the Bridge to Nowhere. Then the delights of Hawkes Bay await reached by
     travelling along the “Gentle Annie” road, steeped in history and home to the
     North Island’s largest sheep farms.
                                                                                                                       Day 4: Whanganui – Putiki – Taihape
     Auckland – Taumarunui – Whangamomona – Whanganui River – The Bridge to Nowhere –                                  We explore Whanganui this morning, meeting guides at the Regional Museum and
                                                                                                                       Sarjeant Gallery and later at Putiki a local guide tells the stories of the intricate Maori
     Whanganui – Taihape – “Gentle Annie” Road – Napier – Auckland
                                                                                                                       carvings and wall panels of St Paul’s Memorial church. Turning eastward, we drive to
                                                                                                                       Taihape and stay at The Aspen Court Motel.

     Tour dates                     Tour Highlights
                                    • With a local guide visit Rangiriri Cultural & Heritage Centre Lunch with
                                                                                                                       Day 5: Taihape – “Gentle Annie” road – Napier
     6 nights/7 days                                                                                                   From Taihape we cross the Central Plateau to explore the Inland Patea Heritage Trail along
                                     Debbie and Fraser Robertson at Crosshills Farm
     Wednesday 28 October -         • Ride the rail carts on a Forgotten World adventure                               the “Gentle Annie” travelled by the early Maori and stockmen. There are historic sites,
     Tuesday 3 November 2020        • Lunch at Whangamomona Hotel in the Forgotten World                               expansive views, a suspension bridge across the Rangitikei River and the largest sheep
     Sunday 8 November -            • Catch the jet boat from Pipiriki up the Whanganui River                          stations in the North Island. We stay at Scenic Te Pania on the Napier waterfront two nights.
     Saturday 14 November 2020      • Either take a 40 minute walk to The Bridge or explore further upstream
                                     on the jet boat
     Tuesday 30 March –
     Monday 5 April 2021            • From Pipiriki ride in a jet boat up the Whanganui River
                                    • Drive the Gentle Annie road over the Central Plateau                             Day 6: Napier sightseeing – Art Deco touring – Cape Kidnappers gannet colony
     Cost per person                • Follow Napier’s Art Deco Trail with a local guide                                An Art Deco guide joins our coach as we tour to the National Tobacco Company building
                                    • Take a private tour out to the Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers                  and Marewa, the suburb built in Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake. With a nature
     $2,990         $3,390          • Lunch with Stephen and Jeanette Williams at Moondance Manor
     Twin Share     Single                                                                                             guide we take a private, three-hour overland safari out to the gannet colony at Cape
                                                                                                                       Kidnappers. Later we drive up Bluff Hill for the views.

                           What Tracy loves about this tour:
                                                                                                                       Day 7: Napier – Taupo – Tamahere – Auckland
                           "Thanks to the vision and energy of our hosts and their love of back country                Leaving Napier after breakfast we drive back northwards to Taupo and continue on to
                           places we have all the fun - tootling along the track on golf carts and riding
                                                                                                                       Tamahere stopping for lunch with Stephen and Jeanette Williams at Moondance Manor
                           a jet boat up the Whanganui River. Then we drive the North Island’s best
                                                                                                                       set in stunning gardens beside the Waikato River. We return to Auckland through the
                           kept secret, the historic “Gentle Annie” route."
                                                                                                                       Waikato farmlands arriving in the late afternoon.

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
Day 1: Fly to Christchurch – Flaxmere Farm – Hanmer Springs
                                                                                                                     On arrival in Christchurch we drive to the alpine village of Hanmer stopping for lunch
                                                                                                                     with Penny Zino at beautiful Flaxmere Farm in Hawarden. We stay two nights at Heritage
                                                                                                                     Hanmer Springs Hotel and dine in both evenings.

                                                                                                                     Day 2: Hanmer Springs – Hurunui Gardens – Hanmer Springs
                                                                                                                     Explore the farm gardens of the Hurunui – Doreen and Michael Dryden at Loch Leven,
                                                                                                                     lunch with Vicki Collett and Andrew Dalzell at Coldstream and meet Anita and Richard
                                                                                                                     Todd at Saddlewood. We return to Hanmer in time to relax in the hot pools.

                                                                                                                     Day 3: Hanmer Springs Fete – Rakaia Gorge – Mt Somers
                                                                                                                     Stroll across to the Hanmer Springs Fete held in the historic Queen Mary Hospital
                                                                 We join Di and Ian for lunch at Akaunui homestead
                                                                                                                     grounds. Browse the 100 stalls of fine arts, crafts, local wine and food and lunch at the
                                                                                                                     Fete. We head south to Mt Somers for two nights and dine at Stronechrubie.
     Canterbury Springtime Gardens & Hanmer
                                                                                                                     Day 4: Mt Somers – Rangiatea – Coniston Gardens – Akaunui Farm – Mt Somers
     Springs Fete                                                                                                    We visit Sara and Blair Gallagher’s garden at Rangiatea Farm and Carol and Donald
                                                                                                                     Williamson’s Coniston Gardens with its vintage, classic cars and farm machinery
     From the Hurunui to Mt Somers and Banks Peninsula country hospitality flows.                                    collections. At Akaunui we lunch and explore the garden with Di and Ian Mackenzie.
     Numerous highlights include lunch at Flaxmere Farm, the Hanmer Springs Fete,
     Akaunui Farmhouse, Giant’s House in Akaroa and Ohinetahi at Governor’s Bay.
                                                                                                                     Day 5: Mt Somers – Blythcliffe House – Giant’s House Akaroa
                                                                                                                     We drive to Banks Peninsula to lunch in Akaroa with John and Lesley at Blythcliffe built in
     Christchurch – Hanmer Springs – Hanmer Springs Fete – Hurunui Gardens –                                         1857. At Josie Martin’s Giant’s House the garden is alive with sculptural mosaics. We stay
     Mt Somers – Akaroa – Christchurch                                                                               two nights at Bruce Apartments on the waterfront.

                                                                                                                     Day 6: Akaroa – Fisherman’s Bay – Banks Peninsula touring
     Tour date                     Tour Highlights                                                                   We visit Jos and Stew Howden’s Potter’s Croft garden then drive to Fisherman’s Bay
                                   • Special lunches: Flaxmere Farm, Hawarden; picnic at Coldstream Farm             along a dramatic cliff top to lunch in Richard and Jill Simpson’s garden. We return to
     6 nights/7 days
                                    Culverden, Akaunui Farm Eiffelton; Blythcliffe, Akaroa and Fisherman’s           Akaroa in time to wander this pretty village with its French connections.
     Wednesday 28 October -         Bay clifftop garden on Banks Peninsula
     Tuesday 3 November 2020       • Attend the Hanmer Springs Fete
                                   • Wander the farmhouse gardens of The Hurunui                                     Day 7: Akaroa – French Farm – Ohinetahi – Christchurch – Fly to Auckland
                                   • Di and Ian Mackenzie’s hospitality at Akaunui Homestead garden                  There are wide views from Jendy and Pat Brooks’ garden at French Farm. We call into
                                   • Visit Sara and Blair Gallagher’s garden at Rangiatea Farm                       Barry’s Bay Traditional Cheese shop before returning over the hill to Governor’s Bay for
     Cost per person               • Coniston Gardens’ collection of vintage cars and farm machinery
                                                                                                                     afternoon tea at Miles Warren’s superb Ohinetahi en route to Christchurch airport.
                                   • Enjoy the views from your waterfront apartment in Akaroa
     $3,490        $3,990          • Josie Martin’s astonishing mosaics at Giant’s House
     Twin Share    Single          • Fisherman’s Bay and French Farm gardens                                                              From Blair and Sara Gallagher’s garden at Rangiatea Farm the Southern Alps are in view
                                   • Afternoon tea at Sir Miles Warren’s beautiful Ohinetahi

                         What Tracy loves about this tour:
                         “I love feeling like a local, not a visitor, and this is what makes this leisurely
                         wander through Canterbury’s stunning farm gardens so much fun. It’s like
                         meeting up with old friends, relaxing with the gardeners over delicious, long
                         lunches in beautiful locations.”

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
Day 1: Auckland – Waihi – Te Puke – Whakatane
                                                                                                                     We’re heading eastwards over the Hauraki Plains to Waihi for a stroll in this historic
                                                                                                                     goldmining town. We drive to Mount Maunganui for lunch and on to a kiwifruit orchard
                                                                                                                     and tour by special transport. We stay at White Island Rendezvous, Whakatane.

                                                                                                                     Day 2: Whakatane – Te Kaha – Hicks Bay
                                                                                                                     There are stunning views along this dramatic coastal highway leading to Te Kaha where
                                                                                                                     we stop for lunch with Trudy Kar at Tui Lodge. At the East Cape Manuka Company we
                                                                                                                     meet the pioneers of Manuka oil. We stay at Hicks Bay Motel Lodge and dine in.

                                                                                                                     Day 3: Hicks Bay – Te Araroa – Tikitiki – Anaura Bay – Gisborne
                                                                                                                     Te Araroa’s huge pohutukawa is a landmark and at Tikitiki we visit St Mary’s church built
                                                                  We stop at Anaura Bay for lunch with Judy Newell
                                                                                                                     in 1926 to commemorate local Maori who died in WW1. We lunch in Anaura Bay and enjoy
                                                                                                                     Judy Newell’s hospitality. Stay two nights at Senator Inn and Pacific Harbour Inn, Gisborne.
     East Cape Caper
                                                                                                                     Day 4: Gisborne sightseeing – Eastwoodhill Arboretum – Tairawhiti Museum
                                                                                                                     We drive in a special vehicle through world–renowned Eastwoodhill Arboretum, 65
     Get a taste for New Zealand the way it used to be. Take the road less travelled                                 hectares of trees and shrubs. We lunch at Bushmere Estate and taste their wines before
     around the stunning East Cape to Hicks Bay and on to Gisborne and Rotorua,                                      visiting Tairawhiti Museum displays and sightsee around Gisborne.
     enjoying local hospitality along the way.
                                                                                                                     Day 5: Gisborne – Opotiki – Rotorua
     Auckland – Whakatane – Te Kaha – Hicks Bay – Anaura Bay – Gisborne – Rotorua –                                  We visit Prof Jack Richard’s and Won Gyu Moon’s stunning coastal garden, Tiromoana, at
     Auckland                                                                                                        Wainui Beach then drive through the Waioeka Gorge to lunch in Opotiki. We travel on to
                                                                                                                     Rotorua and stay at Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Hotel.

                                                                                                                     Day 6: Rotorua – Lake Tarawera – The Buried Village – Auckland
     Tour dates                     Tour Highlights                                                                  This morning we sightsee in Rotorua including the Museum’s gardens and the geothermal
                                    • Special lunches: Rangimarie homestead, Anaura Bay; Bushmere Estate             activity in Kuirau Park. We drive to Lake Tarawera and enjoy lunch with the Walmsley
     5 nights/6 days
                                     vineyard, Gisborne; Walmsley family, Buried Village, Lake Tarawera              family at the Buried Village before returning to Auckland.
     Monday 2 November –            • Visit a kiwifruit orchard and tour on quaint carts
     Saturday 7 November 2020       • Enjoy ocean views along the dramatic coastal highway
                                    • Visit the East Cape Manuka Company                                                                                    Locals have formed a charitable trust to preserve Tologa Bay wharf
     Tuesday 9 February –
     Sunday 14 February 2021        • See Te Araroa’s huge pohutakawa tree
                                    • At Tikitiki visit historic St Mary’s church
     Cost per person                • Tairawhiti Museum features major Captain Cook displays
                                    • Drive through world–renowned Eastwoodhill Arboretum
     $2,490         $2,790          • Visit beautiful Tiromoana Garden at Wainui Beach
     Twin Share     Single          • Tour past the Green Lake and Blue Lake to Lake Tarawera
                                    • See the fascinating array of exhibits at the Buried Village Museum

                           What Tracy loves about this tour:
                           “In this remote region life moves at a gentler pace and you get a feel for
                           earlier times. My favourites are lunching at Judy’s in beautiful Anaura Bay
                           where little has changed since Captain Cook sailed in 250 years ago and
                           visiting Tiromoana Garden overlooking Wainui Beach.”

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
Day 1: Auckland – Thames – Rapaura Watergardens – Coromandel
                                                                                                                        We visit Thames Museum and lunch at the Rapaura Watergardens where you can
                                                                                                                        wander among lily ponds and native trees to a cascading waterfall. We arrive at historic
                                                                                                                        Coromandel with its gold mining past. Overnight at Anchor Lodge.

                                                                                                                        Day 2: Coromandel – Driving Creek Railway – Matarangi – Whitianga
                                                                                                                        We visit Driving Creek Railway and Potteries to ride the narrow gauge mountain railway
                                                                                                                        train up through the bush to the Eyefull Tower. We lunch near Matarangi and arrive at
                                                                                                                        Admiralty Lodge in Whitianga in the late afternoon.

                                                                                                                        Day 3: Whitianga – Hahei – Hot Water Beach – Cook’s Beach – Whangamata
                                                                                                                        We visit the popular holiday spots of Hahei, Hot Water Beach and Cook’s Beach. Also
                                                           At Driving Creek we ride the train up to the Eyefull Tower
                                                                                                                        Mercury Bay lookout and Doug and Jillian Johnson’s Cathedral Cove Macadamias orchard
                                                                                                                        before arriving in Whangamata at the Breakers Motel.
     Coromandel Caper
                                                                                                                        Day 4: Whangamata – Waihi – Karangahake Gorge – Miranda – Auckland
                                                                                                                        After breakfast we’re bound for Waihi to the Martha Mine site and local craft shops. We
     The Peninsula is packed tight with great attractions and wonderful views – from
                                                                                                                        drive through the Karangahake Gorge to lunch nearby then continue on to meet our
     the beauty of Rapaura Watergardens and the quirky Driving Creek railway to
                                                                                                                        guide at the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre and back to Auckland via Clevedon.
     historic Coromandel township, the sandy eastern beaches and the Miranda
     Shorebird Centre.
                                                                                                                                          Warm your feet in the sands at Hot Water Beach and visit the Cornish Pumphouse in Waihi

     Auckland –Thames – Coromandel – Matarangi – Whitianga – Hahei – Whangamata –
     Miranda Shorebird Centre – Auckland

     Tour date                     Tour Highlights
     3 nights/4 days               • Drive the spectacular coastal road along the Firth of Thames
                                   • Visit Thames Museum to hear the town’s stories
     Saturday 7 November -         • Lunch at beautiful Rapaura Watergarden
     Tuesday 10 November 2020      • Ride the Driving Creek Railway
                                   • Coromandel town and its gold mining past
                                   • Tour the beautiful beaches of the East Coast
                                   • Warm your feet in the sands at Hot Water Beach
     Cost per person               • Panoramic views to the Mercury Islands
                                   • Visit Cathedral Cove Macadamia Orchard
     $1,390        $1,690          • Waihi’s craft shops and Martha Mine site
     Twin Share    Single          • Drive the dramatic Karangahake Gorge
                                   • Guided visit at Pukorokoro Shorebird Centre, Miranda

                         What Tracy loves about this tour:
                         “For me Driving Creek Railway represents the uniqueness of the
                         Coromandel Peninsula – it’s creative, original and fun and with a “just do
                         it” attitude. Riding that train up through the bush to the Eyefull Tower is so
                         much fun.”

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Small group escapes for mature travellers - 2020/2021 tour programme - MoaTours
Day 1: Fly to Queenstown – Gibbston Valley – Queenstown
                                                                                                                On arrival in Queenstown we drive to Annabel and Bruce Russell’s for lunch in the
                                                                                                                Gibbston Valley property where the first vineyard was planted. Later in the day we check
                                                                                                                into Hotel Novotel Queenstown Lakeside for two nights and dine in. This afternoon is the
                                                                                                                ideal time to wander the Botanic Gardens adjacent to the hotel.

                                                                                                                Day 2: Queenstown – Arrowtown – Chantecler Garden
                                                                                                                We visit Stoneridge Estate garden near Lake Hayes and Penny and David Wallace’s
                                                                                                                garden and lunch nearby in Arrowtown at Provisions. In the afternoon we wander in
                                                                                                                Mike Henry’s Chantecler of National Significance where themed gardens from around the
                                                                                                                world are featured along with large plantings of rhododendrons and peonies.
                                     November is peony time at Mike Henry’s Chantecler Garden near Queenstown

                                                                                                                Day 3: Queenstown – Clyde – Ophir – St Bathans – Naseby - Ranfurly
     Otago Farmhouse Gardens & Victorian Fete                                                                   We visit Clyde on the way to the big skies of the Maniototo Plain and lunch at Pitches
                                                                                                                Store in Ophir. Rayleen McNally’s garden at Poolburn is full of treasures. We call into
                                                                                                                Bob de Berry’s Cambrian Forest, the Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans and visit Naseby before
     Wander the beautiful gardens of Queenstown and the station gardens of the
                                                                                                                reaching Ranfurly, staying at Hawkdun Lodge for two nights.
     Maniototo Plain’s big sky country. Ranfurly’s Art Deco buildings, Fleur’s famous
     seafood café at Moeraki, Oamaru’s Victorian Fete and meeting the locals are
     special highlights.
                                                                                                                Day 4: Ranfurly – farmhouse gardens – Clachanburn, Patearoa
     Queenstown – Arrowtown – Clyde – Ophir – St Bathans – Ranfurly – Patearoa – Naseby –                       We call into Mary and Mac Wright’s hillside garden and Fay–Ann and Kelvin Thompson’s
                                                                                                                Glen Eden Station before enjoying a tour and tasting at John and Susie Elliott’s Lammermoor
     Moeraki – Oamaru – Carew – Christchurch
                                                                                                                Station distillery and garden. We lunch with Jane Falconer in her garden of National
                                                                                                                Significance at Clachanburn Station and visit the Art Deco Gallery in Ranfurly on our return.

     Tour date                    Tour Highlights
                                  • Special lunches: Gibbston Valley, Queenstown; Pitches Café, Ophir;          Day 5: Ranfurly – Fleur’s Place, Moeraki – Victorian Fete, Oamaru
     6 nights/7 days                                                                                            We stop for brunch at the special seafood restaurant, Fleur’s Place in Moeraki. In Oamaru
                                   Clachanburn Station, Patearoa; Fleur’s Place, Moeraki; Elderslie Estate,
     Wednesday 11 November –       Oamaru; Te Timata Farm, Carew                                                the Fete is in full swing celebrating the town’s Victorian heritage amid streets of Oamaru
     Tuesday 17 November 2020     • Stoneridge Estate near Lake Hayes                                           Stone buildings – live music, dance, street theatre and penny farthings. Dine at Portside
                                  • Mike Henry’s Chantecler Garden                                              Restaurant and Bar and stay two nights at Highfield Mews.
                                  • Rayleen McNally’s garden at Poolburn
                                  • Call into the Vulcan Hotel at St Bathans
     Cost per person              • Jane Falconer’s Clachanburn Garden in the Maniototo
                                  • Lammermoor Station garden & distillery                                      Day 6: Oamaru sightseeing – Totara Estate – Elderslie Estate – Brookfield House
     $3,490        $3,990         • The Victorian Fete in Oamaru’s historic Precinct                            Hear the stories of Totara Estate, where lamb was first frozen and shipped to Britain, as
     Twin Share    Single         • Visit historic Totara Estate near Oamaru                                    the billy tea brews. We lunch with Pete and Bev Rodwell at Elderslie Estate which has a
                                  • Meet Pete & Bev Rodwell at Elderslie Estate Garden
                                                                                                                fascinating history and association with Phar Lap. We visit Jen Rendell’s painstakingly
                                                                                                                restored Brookfield House and Garden. Dine at The Star and Garter Cafe.

                         What Tracy loves about this tour:
                                                                                                                Day 7: Oamaru – Rockvale – Carew – Christchurch – Fly to Auckland
                         “I think spring is the best time to travel the wide open spaces of the                 We have morning tea with Linda Wilson at Rockvale Gardens which features lush,
                         Maniototo when everything is fresh and blooming. Peonies are
                                                                                                                colourful plantings, a pond and sculptures of Oamaru Stone. We call into Geraldine and
                         budding and our southern gardeners’ hospitality flows. Brunch at Fleur’s
                                                                                                                lunch at Te Timata, Boo and Hamish Woodhouse’s Canterbury farmhouse. In the mid
                         and Oamaru’s gardens and Fete are memorable too.”
                                                                                                                afternoon we continue across the plains to Christchurch airport.

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Day 1: Auckland – Hamilton Gardens – Moondance Manor, Tamahere – Taupo
                                                                                                                     We visit renowned Hamilton Gardens and lunch with Jeanette and Stephen Williams at
                                                                                                                     Moondance Manor and enjoy their expansive garden. Near Wairakei we call into Linda
                                                                                                                     Peat and Tim Birdsall’s Tullamore Garden where miniature Galloway cattle graze. We stay
                                                                                                                     at the Millennium Hotel & Resort, Manuels on Taupo’s lakeside and dine in tonight.

                                                                                                                     Day 2: Taupo – Napier – Tirokino – Eketahuna – Masterton
                                                                                                                     From Taupo we drive through Hawkes Bay to lunch with Phyllida and Stuart Gibson at
                                                                                                                     historic Gwavas Homestead and gardens in Tirokino. In Eketahuna rhododendrons bloom
                                                                                                                     in Warren and Robyn Walker’s Braemore Farm Garden. We stay two nights in Masterton
                                                                                                                     at the Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Solway Park and dine in this evening.
                                                         At Brancepeth we hear the stories of the family’s history

                                                                                                                     Day 3: Masterton – Brancepeth & Te Parae Homesteads, Wainuioru – Masterton
     Country Roads & Cross Hills Gardens Fair                                                                        We visit the Wool Museum then meet Edward Beetham for morning tea. He guides us
                                                                                                                     through Brancepeth his family’s homestead, gardens and farm buildings dating back to
                                                                                                                     the 1850s. We lunch nearby with Angela Williams at Te Parae homestead which shares
     Discover the beautiful country gardens of the Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Northern                                     family history with Brancepeth.
     Wairarapa and Manawatu. Stay in Masterton and Feilding, both winners of town
     beauty contests, and enjoy the fun of the fair at Cross Hills Gardens.
                                                                                                                     Day 4: Masterton – Dursley Garden – Greenhaugh Gardens – Feilding
     Auckland – Tamahere – Taupo – Napier – Masterton – Feilding – Kairanga – Cross Hills Fair,                      We meet Judith Callaghan for morning tea at Dursley garden designed by Alfred Buxton
                                                                                                                     in 1916. On the Saddle Road we view Te Apiti wind farm’s turbines stretching along
     Kimbolton – Chateau Tongariro – Otorohanga – Auckland
                                                                                                                     the ridge. We lunch in Lynne Atkin’s Greenhaugh Gardens which surround the 1874
                                                                                                                     homestead. We stay at South Street West Motel, Feilding for two nights.

     Tour date                    Tour Highlights
                                  • Special lunches: Gwavas Homestead, Tirokino, Hawkes Bay;                         Day 5: Feilding Saleyards – Lansdale – Palmerston North
     6 nights/7 days                                                                                                 In Feilding we visit the Friday morning produce market and a local farmer guides us
                                   Greenhaugh Gardens, Palmerston North; Lansdale, Kairanga, Manawatu;
     Monday 16 November -          Crosshills Farm Garden, Otorohanga, Waikato                                       through the historic sale yards as the auctions begin. We lunch with Kathryn Wells at the
     Sunday 22 November 2020      • Wander the farm garden at Braemore in Eketahuna                                  Buxton designed garden, Lansdale in Kairanga featuring ponds and a grotto and later
                                  • Guided tour of Brancepeth historic homestead                                     visit Palmerston North gardens. We return to Feilding and dine out in town this evening.
                                  • Lunch and tour of Te Parae homestead and stables
                                  • Dursley & Lansdale, both Buxton designed gardens
     Cost per person              • Charming Feilding and its historic sale yards
                                  • Lynne Atkin’s lovely Greenhaugh Gardens                                          Day 6: Feilding – Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair – ChateauTongariro
     $2,990       $3,390          • The Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair                                             We visit Heritage Park Rhododendron Garden which is maintained by volunteers. At Cross
     Twin Share   Single          • Ailsa & Carey Sanson’s Parkwood Garden                                           Hills Gardens’ Country Fair 180 stalls showcase unique and New Zealand–made products
                                  • The unique Tree Church, Ohaupo
                                                                                                                     displayed in Rodney and Faith Wilson’s magnificent 7ha garden of 2000 rhododendrons
                                                                                                                     and azaleas. We stay at The Chateau Tongariro Hotel and dine in this evening.

                         What Tracy loves about this tour:
                                                                                                                     Day 7: The Chateau Tongariro – Parkwood Garden – Crosshills Farm – Auckland
                         “We’re following a garden trail along country lanes to discover special                     If it’s a clear day we drive to the Top o’ the Bruce on Mt Ruapehu to enjoy the amazing
                         historic homes and hidden gems. There’s lots of natural beauty to enjoy –
                                                                                                                     view and volcanic landscape. Colourful borders feature in Ailsa and Carey Sanson’s
                         relaxing over a garden lunch with our hosts or wandering the paths at the
                                                                                                                     Parkwood Garden near Otorohanga. We lunch nearby at Debbie and Fraser Robertson’s
                         Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair.”
                                                                                                                     Crosshills Farm and visit the unique Tree Church on the way back to Auckland.

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Day 1: Fly to Christchurch – Homebush Station, Darfield – Mt Somers
                                                                                                                     From Christchurch we drive to Louise Deans’ Homebush Station, Darfield for lunch and
                                                                                                                     visit their museum, heritage farm buildings and garden developed by the family since
                                                                                                                     the 1850s. We continue on to the Rakaia River Gorge and stay in Mt Somers village at
                                                                                                                     Stronechrubie and nearby B&Bs. We dine at Stronechrubie this evening.

                                                                                                                     Day 2: Mt Somers – 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.
                                                                       Horses are used for station work at Erewhon

                                                                                                                     Day 3: Geraldine – Orari Gorge Station – Orari Estate Station – Geraldine
     High Country Stations, Gardens & Goldfields                                                                     At Woodbury Rhododendrons we meet Bernie and Joy O’Keefe and at Rosa Peacock’s
                                                                                                                     Orari Gorge Station there are historic farm buildings and an expansive garden. We lunch
                                                                                                                     with Rosie Morten at Orari Estate Station, a lovely garden set around a pond, and return
     Come and explore the back roads from Canterbury to Central Otago visiting
                                                                                                                     to Geraldine in time to stroll around the artisan shops.
     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.
                                                                                                                     Day 4: Geraldine – Four Peaks Station – Lake Tekapo – Aoraki/Mt Cook
     Christchurch – Mt Somers – Geraldine – Aoraki/Mt Cook – Hakataramea – Danseys Pass –                            At Four Peaks Station we meet Jo and Steve McAtamney and drive out the back of their
     Ranfurly – Macraes Flat – Lawrence – Dunedin                                                                    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 the Panorama Room.

     Tour dates                    Tour Highlights
                                   • Special lunches: Homebush Station, Darfield; Orari Estate Station;              Day 5: Aoraki/Mt Cook – Hakataramea – Duntroon – Danseys Pass – Ranfurly
     6 nights/7 days                                                                                                 Travel the Waitaki Valley to Kurow and on to lunch and to hear the history of the
                                    Station Peak Homestead, Hakataramea & Linlithgow Farm, Lawrence
     Tuesday 17 November –         • Homebush museum’s astonishing collection of Kiwi memorabilia                    Pavletich family who have lived at Station Peak, Hakataramea since 1917. We drive up the
     Monday 23 November 2020       • Wagon ride at Erewhon pulled by Clydesdales                                     gravel road to Danseys Pass and call in for refreshments at the Danseys Pass Coach Inn,
     Tuesday 6 April –             • Historic Orari Gorge Station, gardens and buildings                             once at the hub of a thriving goldfield, before reaching Hawkdun Lodge in Ranfurly.
     Monday 12 April 2021          • At Four Peaks Station we visit a shepherd’s hut built in 1866
                                   • Stay in view rooms at The Hemitage, Aoraki/Mt Cook
     Cost per person               • From Waitaki Valley drive over Danseys Pass
                                   • Stop for refreshments at Danseys Pass Coach Inn                                 Day 6: Ranfurly – Macraes Flat – Hyde – Middlemarch – Lawrence
     $3,490         $3,990         • See Macraes Flat massive opencast mine                                          Visit Art Deco Ranfurly and view Macraes Flat vast opencast gold mine. We lunch nearby
     Twin Share     Single         • Meet the locals in lovely Lawrence                                              at Stanley’s Hotel built in 1882 and drive the golden tussocks of the Rock and Pillar range
                                   • Visit Gabriel’s Gully and the Chinese settlement
                                                                                                                     to Middlemarch and onto Lawrence to stay the night. We meet the locals who are getting
                                                                                                                     together to restore their pretty town which was the gateway to the goldfields.

                             What Tracy loves about this tour:
                                                                                                                     Day 7: Lawrence sightseeing – Gabriel’s Gully – Dunedin – Fly to Auckland
                             “Some farms we’re visiting have stayed in the same family with buildings                With Barbara, our local guide, we hear about Lawrence’s history, visiting the historic
                             and gardens dating back to the pioneers. At Erewhon Erin and Colin are
                                                                                                                     Chinese Camp which is being restored and Gabriel’s Gully where in 1861 Gabriel
                             passionate about horses and their magnificent Clydesdales plough the
                                                                                                                     Read discovered gold and the gold rush years began. We lunch with Sarah Homer at
                             fields at the foot of the Southern Alps.”
                                                                                                                     Linlithgow Farm on the way to Dunedin Airport.

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Day 1: Fly to Christchurch – Waipara – Hanmer Springs
                                                                                                                     You are met on arrival in Christchurch airport. We drive north up the Canterbury Plains to
                                                                                                                     the pretty alpine village of Hanmer Springs. We enjoy a private lunch at a farmhouse and
                                                                                                                     arrive at Hanmer in time to soak in the hot pools before dining at the Heritage Hotel, our
                                                                                                                     home for two nights.

                                                                                                                     Day 2: Hanmer Springs – Molesworth Station – Hanmer Springs
                                                                                                                     Travel with our local guide over Jacks Pass into Molesworth Station and the Clarence
                                                                                                                     Valley. New Zealand’s largest farm has cattle and horses, sparkling rivers, mountain
                                                                                                                     ranges and century old cob buildings and trees. There’s time to uncover the history and
                                                                                                                     explore this land of the real cowboy and our chance to glimpse his way of life.
                                                       With a local guide we take a day tour on Molesworth Station

                                                                                                                     Day 3: Hanmer Springs – Lewis Pass – Murchison – Nelson
     Molesworth Station, the Abel Tasman & Golden Bay                                                                We drive through the beech forests of the 864m Lewis Pass in the Southern Alps and
                                                                                                                     on to spectacular Maruia Falls. From the Shenandoah Highway we reach the Buller
                                                                                                                     Gorge and continue to Murchison, over the Hope Saddle and onto Nelson. We dine in at
     Enjoy the unique history of New Zealand’s biggest farm the Molesworth Station,                                  Trailways Hotel, our home for two nights.
     the world famous Abel Tasman National Park, the charms of sunny Nelson,
     Farewell Spit and the delights of Golden Bay.
                                                                                                                     Day 4: Nelson – Abel Tasman National Park – Nelson
     Christchurch – Hanmer Springs – Molesworth Station – Lewis Pass – Nelson – Golden Bay                           At Kaiteriteri we board a purpose built catamaran to cruise along the Abel Tasman
                                                                                                                     National Park, a stunning coastline of golden sandy beaches, bush clad headlands and
     – Farewell Spit – Nelson
                                                                                                                     islands. We sightsee on the way back to Nelson, visiting the World of WearableArt and
                                                                                                                     Classic Cars Museum at Annesbrook.

     Tour dates                   Tour Highlights
                                                                                                                     Day 5: Nelson - Anatoki Salmon Farm – Waikoropupu Springs – Pohara Beach
                                  • Enjoy lunch at a Hurunui farmhouse on the way to Hanmer
     6 nights/7 days                                                                                                 We drive over Takaka Hill into Golden Bay. At beautiful Te Waikoropupu Springs the
                                  • Stay two nights in lovely Hanmer Springs
     Sunday 22 November –         • Explore historic Molesworth Station with a local guide                           world’s purest water bubbles up from deep in the earth. We lunch at Anatoki Salmon
     Saturday 28 November 2020    • Drive over beautiful Lewis Pass and see the Maruia Falls                         Farm. We stay two nights at the Pohara Beachfront motel and dine nearby in the relaxed
     Thursday 4 March –           • Visit the World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum                           ambience of San Souci Inn.
     Wednesday 10 March 2021      • Cruise the stunning coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park
                                  • See Waikoropupu Springs in Takaka – the world’s purest water
     Cost per person              • Lunch at Anatoki Salmon Farm
                                  • Tour with a local guide out along the sands of Farewell Spit                     Day 6: Golden Bay sightseeing – Collingwood – Farewell Spit tour – Pohara Beach
     $3,490        $3,990         • Stop at the Spit lighthouse and Cape Farewell                                    We head to Collingwood to join a local tour company to drive in their coach along the
     Twin Share    Single         • Have a beer at the quirky Mussel Inn brewery                                     sands of Farewell Spit right out to the lighthouse. We stop at Cape Farewell and call into
                                  • Walk the perfect sands or take a dip at Pohara Beach
                                                                                                                     quirky Mussel Inn brewery for refreshments before returning to Pohara Beach and dining
                                                                                                                     out this evening.

                         What Tracy loves about this tour:
                         “Memories of Molesworth Station will be with you always. It’s a once in                     Day 7: Pohara Beach – Nelson – Fly to Auckland
                         a lifetime experience to drive this vast farmland on the tracks of early                    After breakfast there’s time for a swim or a walk on the golden sands of Pohara Beach
                         stockmen and travellers.Then contrast this landlocked region with the                       and to further explore this stunning region. We lunch at the Woolshed Café on Takaka
                         golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park and Farewell Spit and the                         Hill where the views are spectacular before driving to Nelson airport in time for your
                         relaxed vibe of Golden Bay.”                                                                flight back to Auckland.

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Day 1: Fly to Queenstown – Mandeville – Gore – Invercargill
                                                                                                                       From Queenstown we drive to the Croydon Heritage Trust factory and museum at
                                                                                                                       Mandeville. In Gore enjoy a dram of whisky at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and visit
                                                                                                                       the Eastern Southland Gallery. Stay at Ascot Hotel, Invercargill.

                                                                                                                       Day 2: Invercargill – Transport World – Indian Scout – Fly to Stewart Island
                                                                                                                       It’s all about wheels at Bill Richardson’s Transport World, Classic Motorcycles and Burt
                                                                                                                       Munro’s Indian Scout on display at E. Hayes & Son. We fly across Foveaux Strait to
                                                                                                                       Stewart Island where we stay two nights at Bay Motel and dine at the South Seas Hotel.

                                                                                                                       Day 3: Stewart Island sightseeing – Rakiura National Park – Ulva Island
                                                                                                                       We tour Oban and the surrounding bays including the gateway to Rakiura National Park.
                                 From Nugget Point Lighthouse there are close-up views of the wild Catlins coastline
                                                                                                                       We cruise the sheltered waters of beautiful Paterson Inlet and land at Ulva Island, a world
                                                                                                                       acclaimed sanctuary teeming with birdlife before returning to Oban.
     Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island & The Catlins
                                                                                                                       Day 4: Stewart Island – Invercargill – Catlins – Kaka Point
                                                                                                                       We fly back to Invercargill and drive the Catlins to Waipapa Point, Curio Bay’s petrified
     Visit Invercargill’s transport museums then fly to Stewart Island for two nights.
                                                                                                                       forest and Porpoise Bay. We lunch at Niagara Café and have fun winding “rustic
     Cruise across to Ulva Island bird sanctuary, a nature lover’s playground. See
                                                                                                                       automata” at The Lost Gypsy Gallery in Papatowai. Overnight at Nugget View Motel and
     the stunning Catlins coastline and Nugget Point Lighthouse. Visit the mainland
                                                                                                                       nearby B&Bs.
     albatross colony near Dunedin and ride the Taieri Gorge train.

     Queenstown – Invercargill – Stewart Island –The Catlins – Dunedin – Taieri Gorge Rail –                           Day 5: Kaka Point – Royal Albatross colony, Otago Peninsula – Dunedin
     Dunedin                                                                                                           Enjoy the spectacular views from Nugget Point Lighthouse. We drive out along the
                                                                                                                       Otago Peninsula to the Royal Albatross Centre, the only mainland albatross colony in the
                                                                                                                       world. We dine in and stay two nights at The Southern Cross Hotel.

     Tour dates                    Tour Highlights                                                                     Day 6: Dunedin sightseeing – Olveston House – Signal Hill – Carey’s Bay
                                   • Visit the Croydon Aviation Heritage Trust Museum                                  We visit Olveston House with its time capsule of treasures and drive the trail of street art
     6 nights/7 days
                                   • Tour the Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Gore                                           in The Warehouse Precinct. The Octagon, steep Baldwin Street, Signal Hill, Carey’s Bay
     Monday 23 November –          • In Invercargill visit Bill Richardson’s Transport World, Classic                  historic hotel and the Tropical Forest butterfly house are all on the itinerary.
     Sunday 29 November 2020        Motorcycles and Burt Munro’s Indian Scout
     Monday 22 February –          • Return flight from Invercargill to Stewart Island
     Sunday 28 February 2021       • Cruise the sheltered waters of beautiful Paterson Inlet                           Day 7: Dunedin – Taieri Rail – Pukerangi – Dunedin – Fly to Auckland
                                   • Land at Ulva Island, teeming with birdlife                                        From Dunedin’s Edwardian railway station we travel by train along the wild Taieri River
     Cost per person               • Visit dramatic Nugget Point lighthouse in the Catlins
                                                                                                                       Gorge through 10 tunnels and across numerous bridges including the unique Wingatui
                                   • Have fun at The Lost Gypsy Gallery
     $3,990         $4,390         • Visit the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head                                  Viaduct to Pukerangi. We lunch nearby then continue to Dunedin Airport.
     Twin Share     Single         • Guided tour of historic Olveston House built in 1904
                                   • Catch the Taieri Gorge train from Dunedin to Pukerangi                                                                   Fly to Stewart Island and cruise across to Ulva Island bird sanctuary

                          What Tracy loves about this tour:
                          “Kaka on your balcony, fresh seafood at the South Seas Hotel, golden sand
                          beaches and friendly locals are just a few of many reasons to fly over to
                          Stewart Island. The Catlins coast is similar – untouched, raw beauty and a
                          real sense of discovery.”

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Day 1: Fly to Great Barrier Island – Claris – Puriri Bay – Tryphena
                                                                                                                            We take a scenic flight over the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park to Claris. Drive in our coach to
                                                                                                                            Puriri Bay to meet Marion for lunch at her Elephant Craft Gallery and later meet Peter and
                                                                                                                            Fenella at Black Cow Gallery nearby. We stay in relaxed, island style acommodation at
                                                                                                                            Sunset Waterfront Lodge and Shoal Bay Estate for four nights.

                                                                                                                            Day 2: Tryphena – Okiwi Park – Awana Beach – Claris – Tryphena
                                                                                                                            At Okiwi Park at the northern end of the island a flat trail meanders through mature puriri
                                                                                                                            and totara trees. We call into Awana Beach and visit the Milk, Honey and Grain museum,
                                                                                                                            a treasure trove of stories and memorabilia of the early settlers. After dinner this evening,
                                                                                                                            if the sky is clear, we stargaze with local guides.

                               We take a stunning scenic flight over the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park to Great Barrier Island   Day 3: Tryphena – Port FitzRoy – Broken Islands cruise – Tryphena
                                                                                                                            We head over the ranges to FitzRoy Harbour to meet Chris and cruise on his launch
     Great Barrier Island Escape                                                                                            around the inlets of the harbour and through the Broken Islands. We lunch at Glenfern
                                                                                                                            jetty and meet the custodians of this predator-fenced sanctuary. We return to Tryphena
                                                                                                                            and dine out this evening.
     Fly over to Great Barrier/Aotea to enjoy a leisurely holiday staying four nights
     in Shoal Bay, Tryphena Harbour in relaxed, island style accommodation. In our
     coach explore the bush-lined roads, the coastline and harbours. Stargaze with the                                      Day 4: Typhena – Okupu, Blind Bay – Whangaparapara Harbour – Tryphena
     locals in this International Dark Sky Sanctuary and cruise out from Port FitzRoy                                       Stroll bush trails and visit Okupu, Blind Bay, on the way to Whangaparapara Harbour
     to the Broken Islands.                                                                                                 to lunch at Great Barrier Lodge. Hear the history of this peaceful harbour which was
                                                                                                                            once home to gold and silver mining, timber milling and the last whaling station. Back at
     Auckland – Claris – Shoal Bay, Tryphena Harbour – Okiwi – Port FitzRoy –                                               Tryphena we dine at Shoal Bay Estate.
     Whangaparapara Harbour – Claris – Auckland
                                                                                                                            Day 5: Tryphena – Medlands Beach – Claris – Auckland
                                                                                                                            We breakfast with Val at Shoal Bay Estate and visit Sarah at Shoal Bay Pottery then walk
                                                                                                                            along Medlands Beach, a favourite spot for surfers. We meet Vivienne at her sculpture
     Tour dates                       Tour Highlights                                                                       gallery in Claris and visit the Community Heritage and Art Village. In the mid afternoon
                                      • Return scenic flight over the islands of the Hauraki Gulf                           we catch our flight from Claris back to Auckland.
     4 nights/5 days
                                      • Lunch with Marion at the Elephant Craft Gallery
     Wednesday 2 December -           • Visit Peter and Fenella at the Black Cow gallery
     Sunday 6 December 2020           • Dinners are privately hosted by Val at Shoal Bay Estate                                                                   We visit Peter and Fenella’s Black Cow Gallery in Schooner Bay Road
     Monday 7 December –              • Star gazing with Deb and Hilde in this Dark Sky Sanctuary
     Friday 11 December 2020          • Cruise with Chris from Port FitzRoy to the Broken Islands
                                      • Meet the custodians of Glenfern Sanctuary Regional Park
     Cost per person                  • Lunch at Great Barrier Lodge on Whangaparapara Harbour The Milk,
                                       Honey & Grain Museum reveals the Island’s history
     $2,590         $2,990            • Stroll in mature native trees at Okiwi Park
     Twin Share     Single            • See the beaches and walk along the bush tracks
                                      • Visit the Heritage & Arts Village Trust in Claris

                          What Tracy loves about this tour:
                          “Great Barrier Island has it all – a stunning coastline and rugged ranges and,
                          best of all, friendly, welcoming locals. It’s so close, just a 30 minute flight
                          from Auckland, yet it’s another world away. The night sky, the bush, the
                          birds, and the beaches – it’s paradise and somewhere you want to return to
                          again and again.”

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Day 1: Fly to Nelson – Buller Gorge – Kawatiri Junction – Denniston – Karamea
                                                                                                                      From Nelson we drive the Buller Gorge to Kawatiri Junction to stroll through a historic
                                                                                                                      railway tunnel and onto Murchison. High on a bleak plateau Denniston stands testament
                                                                                                                      to the resilience of the coalminers and their families who lived in this unforgiving
                                                                                                                      environment. In Karamea The Last Resort Hotel is our home for two nights.

                                                                                                                      Day 2: Karamea – Heaphy Track – Oparara Basin – Karamea
                                                                                                                      We have a full day to enjoy getting to know this remote and beautiful north–western tip
                                                                                                                      of the Coast between the Tasman Sea and the rainforests. At the start of the Heaphy
                                                                                                                      Track walk in a nikau forest then visit the Oparara Basin in Kahurangi National Park. We
                                                                                                                      dine at historic Village Karamea Hotel this evening.
                                                               We stay two nights at Karamea at the end of the road

                                                                                                                      Day 3: Karamea – Reefton – Blackball – Brunner – Punakaiki
     Karamea & Wild West Coast Trails                                                                                 Explore the back roads to the pretty mining town of Reefton, the first town lit by electric
                                                                                                                      street lights. Blackball, a small town at the foot of the Paparoa Range, is the home of
                                                                                                                      unionism and nearby is the Brunner Mine memorial. We stay two nights at the Punakaiki
     Discover the byways, history and stories of the West Coast as you travel along                                   Resort Hotel on the edge of the Tasman Sea and dine in this evening.
     miners’ trails to coal and gold rush towns and to where precious pounamu is
     found. Karamea, Okarito Lagoon and the TranzAlpine train are special highlights.
                                                                                                                      Day 4: Punakaiki – Nile River Rainforest train – Tauranga Bay – Punakaiki
     Nelson – Karamea – Reefton – Punakaiki – Charleston – Hokitika – Okarito Lagoon – Franz                          This morning we take an easy stroll out to the sculptured limestone stacks of Punakaiki’s
     Josef – Hokitika – TranzAlpine Train – Christchurch                                                              pancake rocks. At Charleston we ride the Nile River Canyon train through the rainforest
                                                                                                                      in Paparoa National Park. Later we visit the seal colony in at Tauranga Bay close to Cape
                                                                                                                      Foulwind before returning down the scenic coastal highway to Punakaiki.

     Tour dates                    Tour Highlights
                                   • Stay on the seafront at Punakaiki & Hokitika Hotels
                                                                                                                      Day 5: Punakaiki – Lake Kaniere – Hokitika Gorge – Hokitika
     6 nights/7 days                                                                                                  Follow the pounamu and gold trails of the Arahura River to Blue Spur and onto Lake
                                   • Visit Denniston where coal was first mined in 1879
     Thursday 3 December –         • Stay two nights at The Last Resort, Karamea                                      Kaniere. Many artisans live in Hokitika and there’s an eclectic mix of galleries and shops
     Wednesday 9 December 2020     • Visit the Oparara Basin in Kahurangi National Park                               displaying works in pounamu, gold, glass, paua, copper, stone, ruby rock and even socks.
     Friday 19 March –             • See the Oparara limestone arches                                                 We stay at the Beachfront Hotel for two nights and dine in this evening.
     Thursday 25 March 2021        • Ride the Nile River Canyon train at Charleston
                                   • View the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
     Cost per person               • Wander the artisan galleries in Hokitika
                                   • Cruise on the Okarito Lagoon in search of birdlife                               Day 6: Hokitika – Okarito Lagoon – Franz Josef – Ross – Hokitika
     $3,490         $3,990         • Visit Franz Josef Glacier village                                                We visit Ross, renowned for a 3.09kg gold nugget found there in 1909. At Okarito
     Twin Share     Single         • Lunch at Monteith’s Brewery in Greymouth                                         we take an hour’s cruise on the lagoon looking out for birdlife in untouched wetlands
                                   • Catch the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth
                                                                                                                      bordered by ancient forest giants. A local guide takes us on a walking tour of this tiny
                                                                                                                      settlement of 30 people. In Franz Josef there’s a 15 minute climb to view the glacier.

                          What Tracy loves about this tour:
                          “Your Kiwi guide will bring to life for you the colourful history of this                   Day 7: Hokitika – Greymouth – TranzAlpine train – Christchurch – Fly to Auckland
                          isolated region, the setting for two Booker Prizewinning novels – Eleanor                   Travel along country roads to the old gold mining towns of Stafford, Goldsborough and
                          Catton’s “The Luminaries” and “The Bone People” by Keri Hulme (a former                     Kumara and onto Monteith’s brewery in Greymouth for lunch. Board the TranzAlpine
                          long time resident of Okarito) and also Jenny Pattrick’s bestsellers, “The                  train for a spectacular journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch where you are
                          Denniston Rose” and “Heart of Coal”.”                                                       transferred to the airport for your flight home.

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