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
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
Group Size
Personalized small group tour of 5 to10 people
Location & Duration
Location & Duration
Dunedin-Roxborough-Cromwell-Alexandra-Ranfurly. Starts Dunedin, Finishes Dunedin, 8 Days - 7 nights.
Highlights Will Include
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
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
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
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
Meet in Dunedin- Butterfly
House - Dunedin MuseumDINNER
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
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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 nightsDinner at the Lake Resort
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Day 4
Cromwell-Bannock burn
gold diggings-Cromwell Heritage PrecinctBREAKFAST 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
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Day 5
Alexandra Blossom
FestivalBREAKFAST 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
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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
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Day 7
Naseby
-St BathansBREAKFAST 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
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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.