New Zealand Merino Tour

27 March – 4 April 2017

Moses & Son would like to invite you to a tour of the South Island of New Zealand.

The tour is aimed at giving travellers an insight to New Zealand’s Merino sheep production as well as the opportunity to observe applied technology, research and development. Adding to that, a day at the South Island Agricultural Field Days will provide a broad overview of New Zealand’s agritech services and suppliers. The varied and beautiful South Island landscape will provide a stunning backdrop to this tour.

Proposed Itinerary

Mon 27 March Arrive Christchurch (—)
Flight: Qantas departing Sydney 1745 arrive Christchurch 2250
This evening arrive into Christchurch, the Garden City, and meet your Farm To Farm Tours agricultural tour manager. Board your coach and transfer to your hotel for the night.
Overnight: Christchurch

Tues 28 March Christchurch – Cheviot – Kaikoura (BL-)
Depart north of Christchurch this morning and travel through the farmland and vineyards of North Canterbury. Near Cheviot visit a leading Merino stud breeder, inspect the stock and enjoy lunch with your farm hosts. Continue on Kaikoura, set in a spectacular position between the high peaks of the Kaikoura coastal mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. The late afternoon and evening are free – weather and time permitting, a possible chance to take a sea-fishing charter or check out local marine life.
Overnight: Kaikoura

Wed 29 March Kaikoura – Marlborough (BLD)
Travel north this morning and visit a 9000 fine wool Merino and Angus-cross cattle station in the Awatere Valley. Discuss breeding management with the owner, Chairman of the Marlborough Merino Stud Breeders Association.  After the visit, enjoy wine tasting and lunch at a nearby vineyard – the Marlborough region is New Zealand’s largest wine growing region. This afternoon possibly visit another station or winery before dinner.
Overnight: Blenheim

Thurs 30 March Blenheim – Christchurch (B-D)
After breakfast, return via Kaikoura to North Canterbury and visit a PGG Wrightson demonstration farm. Continue to Christchurch and possibly meet with representatives of New Zealand Merino, a marketing organization for merino wool fiber producers.  Dinner at your hotel.
Overnight: Christchurch

Fri 31 March SIAFD – Kirwee (B–)
First thing this morning visit one of the PGGW trial sites or plant-breeding and research companies located close to Christchurch. Spend the rest of the day at the South Island’s largest agricultural field days event in 2017. You have the opportunity to see the latest in agricultural technology and services available on the New Zealand market (including Prattley Industries, a leading manufacturer of animal handling equipment). Later, return to Christchurch – this evening may coincide with a Super 15 rugby match.
Overnight: Christchurch

Sat 1 April Christchurch – Tekapo/Mackenzie Country  (BLD)
This morning head south through the rolling farmland of South Canterbury and over Burkes Pass to the spectacular but desolate Mackenzie Country. Travel past the aqua blue hydro lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki from which, on clear days, there are wonderful vistas of the highest peak, Mount Cook Aoraki, and the surrounding ranges. This afternoon there may be opportunities for lake/canal fishing or flight-seeing tours.
Overnight: Mackenzie Country

Sun 2 April Mackenzie Country – Alexandra – Queenstown (BL-)
Make a brief stop on the banks of the hydro canal to see a salmon farm where fish are reared under environmentally sustainable practices. Continue south through Omarama and over Lindis Pass into the spectacular Central Otago countryside, renowned historically for gold mining, but in more modern times, for its vineyards, fruit orchards and Merino sheep. Later this morning visit Earnscleugh Station, a large high country enterprise producing over 100 tonnes of high quality Merino wool annually. Earnscleugh has three cattle and six Merino sheep pedigree stud operations involving over 6,000 individually recorded animals.  Gain an insight into this operation in a climatically harsh but beautiful environment. Continue via the Kawarau River Gorge to Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations.
Overnight: Queenstown

Mon 3 April Queenstown (B-D)
Today you are free to explore Queenstown. Perhaps take a cruise of Lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer, or an exhilarating ride through the Shotover Gorge in a jet-boat. There are plenty of shopping options, the chance to savour the local food and wine, take a paraglide, bungy-jump or zip-line, play golf or walk on one of the many local tracks.  This evening ride the gondola high above Queenstown to enjoy a ‘farewell dinner’ with stunning views of the town, the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu.
Overnight: Queenstown

Tues 4 April Queenstown (B–)
Further time in Queenstown before transferring to the airport and returning to Australia.
Flight: Air New Zealand departing Queenstown 1530 arrive Sydney 1650

 

INCLUSIONS:
Flights as specified. Accommodation (8 nights) twin share in 4* hotels, meals specified as included in itinerary, group transfers and transportation by high-quality tour coach, experienced NZ tour manager with agricultural knowledge. Farms and technical visits as specified in itinerary, entries to visitor attractions (gondola ride), SIAFD ticket, tour booklet, maps and notes. NZ Goods & Services Tax at 15%.

EXCLUDED:
Expenditure of a personal nature; meals, entries and activities not specified as included in itinerary (eg optional fishing trips, scenic flights etc), alcoholic beverages, mini bar expenses, telephone calls, laundry and incidental hotel expenses eg costs relating to any early hotel check in or late check-out, domestic and international airfares (in addition to those specified), any airport departure taxes, gratuities. Travel to and from Sydney.

To book the tour please contact Liz Oliver on 6977 3100

Spots are limited and will be allocated on a first paid, first secured bases.
To secure your booking, we require a 50% deposit before the 31st October 2016.
Full payment to be made before 14 February 2017.

Seats are limited

We have limited the number of seats to 20 to ensure the group is small enough to allow us the flexibility that is needed to make it a truly great and meaningful tour.

Cost

$4000 per person based on twin share
Single room supplement = $900 per person

More information

Please contact Simon Coddington on 0458 826 464 or Liz Oliver on 6977 3100