Waitaki and Goldfields via Danseys pass
Waitaki and Goldfields via Danseys pass
Tour Date: Sept 22nd to Sept 26th -Places available
DEPOSIT - $300.00 NZD
Single - $2479
Twin Share - $2059
If these dates don't work for you but you're still interested in this tour please contact us below.
Please note this is a cash or cheque price. Credit cards will incur a 2% fee.
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment.
This tour highlights the hidden treasures of the Waitaki Valley, including the Vanished World, limestone formations, rock art, and a visit to the home of Ted's Bottle. It features a journey through the scenic Danseys Pass, exploring the goldfields history in St Bathans & the Art Deco town of Ranfurley. The itinerary includes travel through the Maniatoto Region, a detour to Macrae's Mine, and the Moeraki Boulders, culminating in an overnight stay in the vibrant town of Oamaru, known for its Blue Penguins, historic precinct, and steampunk exhibits.
Group Size
Group Size
Personalized small group tour of 5 to10 people
Highlights Will Include
Highlights Will Include
• Duntroons Vanished World and Blacksmiths
• Elephant Rocks ,Geopark highlights
• Travel through Danseys Pass
• Art Deco Ranfurley
• Naseby and St Bathans
• Oamaru Historic Buildings
• Moeraki Boulders
• Blue Penquin Tour option
• Riverstone Restaurant
• Visit to location of “Teds Bottle” "Ted's Bottle" refers to an unopened bottle of beer left behind by Ted d'Auvergne at the Waihao Forks Hotel before he left for World War II.
Location & Duration
Location & Duration
Starts Christchurch, Finishes Christchurch, 5 Days - 4 nights.
Inclusions
Inclusions
- Five days transport, 10 or 12 seat vehicles
- Your own experienced driver / guide for five days
- Four night’s accommodation
- 4 dinners ,4 lunches ,4 breakfasts
Exclusions
Exclusions
- Blue Penquin Tour -optional tour -can add booking if you want
- Flights - if you would rather, I am happy to book flights and any extra accommodation at the start or finish of the tour. I do not have large enough groups to be able to get travel discounts and some people may be better off using credits or air points. Please let me know if you would like me to book though and I can just add to the tour cost for you.
- Items of a personal nature
Booking Conditions
Booking Conditions
A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your place on the tour. Payment can be made to this account number.
Full payment is due one month prior to tour start.
Cancellations
Cancellations
- Deposit – nonrefundable
- If this tour is cancelled due to Covid 19 government travel restrictions, a refund is available, or we will endeavour to reschedule. Alps 2 Ocean Ltd reserves the right in addition to any supplier-imposed amendment and cancellation fees, to charge a service and administrative fee of $100 per person.
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Tour Travel Itinerary
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Day 1
Gather in Christchurch- Travel south to Geraldine
- Museums ,Galleries,Gin tastingDINNER
We will meet or be picked up from airports and locations around midday and travel south to stay at Geraldine. There will be free time to explore the many museums galleries and the village .A gin tasting tour at Humdinger Distillery is arranged.
We stay Geraldine Andorra Motels.
Dinner at House of Hop
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Day 2
Harlau House -Teds Bottle and Waitaki Valley
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
After breakfast, we travel to the coastal town of Timaru, making a morning tea stop at Harlau House on the southern side of the city. Waimate, its impressive paintings on old grain silos is a must-see,before we visit the home of Teds Bottle at Waihao Forks, where you may enjoy a quiet drink with our lunch. We then proceed through the Waimate Gorge, a route once used by early settlers, towards the Waitaki Valley with its dams, lakes, and rivers, before concluding our day in Kurow for the night.
We stay at Braided RiversDinner in Kurow
-
Day 3
Duntroons Vanished World-Danseys Pass- Naseby -Ranfurley
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
Begin the day with a leisurely breakfast before meeting Mike at Vanished World in Duntroon, where he will introduce fossils of ancient sea creatures and uncover the fascinating geological history of the region, recognized as an international Geopark. He will also guide you through the nearby Blacksmiths, a significant part of the early settler heritage.
The journey continues inland to experience remarkable geology, with options to stop,take photos and walk at the Valley of the Whales and Elephant Rocks. From there, ascend through lesser traveled Danseys Pass and descend into the Maniototo Valley with a brief visit to Naseby before arriving at the Art Deco town of Ranfurley.Staying at Hawkdun Motels
Dinner at Waipiata Hotel
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Day 4
St Bathans Gold town-Maniatoto Landscape -Macraes Mine View-Moeraki Boulders-Oamaru
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
It's time to explore this wonderful part of the
Maniatoto landscape, a visit first to the historic town of St Bathans before a
drive through an incredible landscape of schist rock formations.We stop at a viewpoint of the massive Macraes Gold Mine and explore out the old Pig Route Highway connecting us again with the coast.
Moeraki Boulders is our last stop before we reach Oamaru for our last night.Theres an option to join a Blue penguin Tour which
starts just on dusk. -
Day 5
Oamaru-Riverstone -Christchurch
BREAKFAST LUNCH
The morning is a free time to
explore the Oamaru Historic Precinct with its array of artisans ,crafts and
shops.The steampunk could be of interest ,its certainly a part of what Oamaru
is known for and theres a lovely walk around the bay or to a great viewpoint of
the town .We depart at 1130, with a lunch
stop at the Riverstone Restaurant , its gift shops ,extensive gardens and Dots
castle make this a must see .The afternoon travel is a relaxed
drive with some stops dropping people home on the way arriving back to Chch by
approx 5 pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of fitness do I need?
No matter what your fitness level, you can choose the activity level you feel appropriate for you, provide alternative options for the varied fitness levels, with a small group it is easy to personalize this.
What if I want to change some of the travel plans?
Sometimes our travellers like to visit relatives while on the journey. The tour travel times each day are arranged to give time for you to meet others, or if we are stopping for a walk nearby, Wayne can arrange that you spend your time differently. If you are thinking you would like to visit someplace that is not listed in the itinerary, we can sometimes build this in. It is worth
having a chat to Wayne to see what is possible
What about cancellations or interruptions due to level changes?
We do ask for a small non-refundable deposit to begin the booking process; however, all other expenses are fully refundable if we did need to cancel. In most instances we would look to reschedule and will be in touch with you if this arises.