• Alps2Oceans Guided Tours - Alexandra Blossom Festival
  • Alps2Oceans Guided Tours - Central Otago in Spring
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Central Otago in Spring - Alexandra Blossom Festival

Central Otago in Spring - Alexandra Blossom Festival

Tour Date: Sept 24th to Oct 1st -Places available

DEPOSIT - $300.00 NZD

Single - $4,186
Twin Share - $3,538
Date

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.

"Central Otago in Spring is a tour for the senses”. It's a wonderful time to visit this region, with 2 days at the Alexandra Blossom Festival which is sure to be a highlight. We will start with 2 nights in Dunedin, visiting the Taiaroa Heads and the wonderful butterfly house at the Otago Museum. Then we will spend 3 nights based in Cromwell, followed by 2 nights enjoying Ranfurly and the nearby historical towns of Naseby and St. Bathans in the Maniatoto area.

Group Size

Personalized small group tour of 5 to10 people

Location & Duration

Dunedin-Roxborough-Cromwell-Alexandra-Ranfurly. Starts Dunedin, Finishes Dunedin, 8 Days - 7 nights.

Highlights Will Include

• Otago Museum Butterfly House
• Larnachs Castle and Gardens
• Tour at Fort Taiaroa ,Dunedin
• Cromwell historic centre
• Bannockburn gold history
• Alexandra Blossom Festival
• Guided Tour of local gardens in Alexandra
• Ranfurly Art Deco town
• Explore Naseby and St Bathans
• Scenic drive out through the Taieri Gorge and Middlemarch

Inclusions

  • Eight days transport, 10 or 12 seat vehicles
  • Your own experienced driver / guide for eight days
  • Butterfly house at museum
  • Fort Taiaroa tour
  • Larnach castle tour
  • Lunch at Bannockburn Winery
  • Alexandra Garden tour
  • Seven night’s accommodation
  • 7 dinners ,6 lunches ,7 breakfasts

Exclusions

  • 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

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

  • 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

  • Day 1

      Meet in Dunedin- Butterfly
    House - Dunedin Museum

     DINNER

     

    We will meet or be picked up from airports and locations around midday; a visit to the Dunedin Museum and its Butterfly house in the Tropical centre is a really
    relaxing way to start the tour before heading to our accommodation for a
    2-night stay.

    We stay at Alhambra Oaks Lodge

  • Day 2

     

     Taiaroa heads-Larnachs Castle and Gardens

     BREAKFAST        LUNCH          DINNER
     After breakfast, we will take a scenic drive to the Otago
    Peninsula and visit the Taiaroa Heads. Although it's early in the Albatross nesting season, we may be able to see some of these magnificent birds. This is also a great opportunity to learn about the history of Fort Taiaroa, which dates to the 1880s.

     

    In the afternoon, you have the option of free time in Dunedin's Octagon and town centre or visit and tour the Larnach Castle.(see below)

     "Nestled on the spectacular Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle is Dunedin's must-see visitor attraction. You can visit the Castle and discover its rich history that dates back to 1871 as well as explore the exquisite gardens, which have attained a Garden of International Significance award from the New Zealand Gardens
    Trust".

  • Day 3

    Dunedin-Alexandra-Cromwell

    BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

     

    Leaving Dunedin, we travel inland, following the mighty
    Clutha River in a valley known as the start of the NZ fruit bowl but for now
    it’s all in blossom. There is plenty of time to take short walks, picnic, and
    take photos as we travel through a changing landscape, with a visit to a
    historic stone  Mitchells Cottage, near
    Alexandra before reaching the town of Cromwell. 
    It is here we will stay for 3 nights.

     

    "Mitchells Cottage is an exceptional example of craftsmanship and is listed as a Category I Historic place. It is one of the best-surviving examples of the
    stonemason's craft in New Zealand."

     

    Staying
    at Marsden Lake Resort for 3 nights

    Dinner at the Lake Resort

  • Day 4

      Cromwell-Bannock burn
    gold diggings-Cromwell Heritage Precinct

      BREAKFAST  LUNCH  DINNER            
     It's time to explore this wonderful part of Central Otago. A must-do is to visit the Cromwell Heritage Precinct before taking a walk around the lunar landscape of the Bannockburn gold diggings. World-class wine is grown in this harsh landscape. You may want to sample some when we lunch at a vineyard, and there are plenty of walks and viewpoints in this schist-covered range. If open, we will take the Nevis Valley Road to the highest public road viewpoint in NZ.

     

    DinnerTBC

  • Day 5

    Alexandra Blossom
    Festival

     BREAKFAST                DINNER

     

    This historic Festival has marked the arrival of spring for 66 years. The first festival was born out of community spirit and recognition of the special character of Alexandra. 

    Alexandra is renowned for its contribution to both the summer fruit and wool industries. Special celebrations are dedicated to these industries that form the lifeblood of this Central Otago township.

    Pioneer Park is the location of the displays, stalls and entertainment for the day including a grand
    procession of floats and the Alexandra Blossom Princess competition just to give a taste of what there is to see.

     

     

    Dinner at a local restaurant TBC

     

  • Day 6

    Alexandra Gardens Tour-Ophir -Ranfurly

    BREAKFAST        LUNCH        DINNER
     We will reload the van with our luggage and meet the coaches in Alexandra to join their festival Gardens Tour. This year's Garden Tour will include 8 amazing town
    and country gardens in Fruitlands, Roxburgh, and the beautiful Teviot Valley. Gardens are open from 10 am to 5 pm and a Devonshire Tea will be available.

    We leave Alexandra and travel the Central Scenic touring route through little villages like Ophir (pronounced OFA) to the Art deco town of Ranfurly

    Stay at Hawkdun Lodge

    Dinner Waipiata Hotel

  • Day 7

    Naseby
    -St Bathans

     BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
     Today, we'll be visiting historical gold mine locations such as Naseby, St Bathans, and Kyeburn. These places are
    home to charming historic pubs, buildings, and bridges.  You'll have the opportunity to explore each location, enjoy the views on a high rocky range, and visit the Art Deco town of Ranfurly during the day.

     

    Dinner at the Historic Wedderburn Hotel

  • Day 8

    Ranfurly-Middlemarch -Dunedin

     BREAKFAST     LUNCH  

     Our last day includes a
    scenic drive through the stunning landscape. We will travel down the valley that runs parallel with the dramatic Rock and Pillar Range and emerge from the Taieri River Valley where lambing will be underway. For those who are flying out from Dunedin airport, I will
    be there at around 1:30 pm. I can also drop off anyone choosing to stay longer
    in Dunedin as I pass through heading North.

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. If in the event the level changes were imminent while we were travelling, we would look to get you quickly and safely back to a destination you could travel home from e.g., Queenstown or Christchurch.