11 DAYS 07/17 MARCH 2010 

This tour will circle the top of the South Island and take in some of the more remote areas as well as some magnificent coastal scenery.  The tour will fly from Tauranga to Nelson and return to Tauranga.  A new inclusion will be a 5-6 hour tour to the Stockton Opencast Coal Mine.

COST INCLUDES:

• HOME TO HOME PICK-UPS AND RETURN
• RETURN AIRFARES – TAURANGA/NELSON/TAURANGA
• TEN NIGHTS QUALITY ACCOMMODATION WITH DINNERS AND

BREAKFASTS

• COACH IN THE SOUTH ISLAND
• TOUR OF LAKE GRASSMERE SALT WORKS
• FULL DAY TOUR TO FAREWELL SPIT (AFTERNOON TEA INCLUDED)
• ROUND THE BAYS CRUISE - PICTON
• HALF DAY TOUR – MOLESWORTH STATION (MORNING TEA INCLUDED)
• VISIT ST HELENS HISTORIC HOMESTEAD
• VISITS TO FOUR GARDENS
• VISIT PUNAKAIKI
• VISIT THE STOCKTON OPENCAST MINE (LUNCH INCLUDED)
• VISIT COALTOWN (IF TIME PERMITS)
• VISIT THE WEARABLE ARTS MUSEUM
• FULLY ESCORTED 

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• LUNCHES, MORNING AND AFTERNOON TEAS, UNLESS SPECIFIED
• ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE  

COST PER PERSON

Itinerary:


SUNDAY 07 MARCH
Pick up from your homes this morning to be transferred to the Tauranga Airport for your flight to Nelson departing 0800 and arriving 1130.  On arrival our coach will meet us to travel through the Rai Valley to Pelorous Bridge for a lunch break.  On to Blenheim to visit Pollard Park and then a visit to Hunters Wines on our way to Picton to spend two nights at Aldan Lodge.

MONDAY 08 MARCH
A relaxing morning visiting Country Preserves, The Chocolate Factory and The Mud House complex before lunch in Blenheim.  After lunch we return to Picton to join Beachcomber Cruises for a 2.1/2 hour Round the Bays Cruise.

TUESDAY 09 MARCH
Following breakfast we travel south through Seddon to visit and tour Lake Grassmere, the main source of New Zealand’s salt, before travelling on to Kekerengu where a stop will be made for morning tea.  Next we travel on to Kaikoura for lunch, stopping on the way to see the Seal Colony.  This is a very scenic drive.  Following lunch and a short tour of Kaikoura we drive south and then inland to Hanmer Springs to stay two nights at the Hot Springs Motor Lodge.

WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH
One of the tour highlights today.  At 8.30am we join Trailways Safaris for a four hour tour of part of Molesworth Station and a visit to the beautiful St Helens Homestead and Gardens.  Built of limestone in 1915
it has been restored to its former glory by its present owners, Stuart and Nan Masters.  Molesworth is the country’s largest cattle station with over 10,000 head of cattle on the property.  On our return from the tour there will be time to look around Hanmer and of course a swim in the famous hot springs.  Morning tea included.  Overnight Hot Springs Motor Lodge.

THURSDAY 11 MARCH
Leaving Hanmer Springs this morning we travel over the Lewis Pass to Reefton for a tea and toilet break as well as a visit to their excellent Information Centre.  On our way to Greymouth for lunch we will detour to visit the defunct mining town of Blackball to visit the famous hotel ‘Formerly the Blackball Hilton’.  Following lunch we set off on a magnificent coastal drive to Westport visiting Punakaiki on the way and, if time permits, Cape Foulwind.  Overnight Westport Motor Inn.

FRIDAY 12 MARCH
Today a new addition tot the tour, a visit to the Stockton Opencast Mine, which is New Zealand’s largest coal producing mine averaging 8000 tonnes per 24 hour shift.  We should learn a lot about the miners and the mining process as well as seeing some stunning views of both the Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps.  A picnic lunch is included.  On our return to Westport we will visit Coaltown if time permits.  Overnight Westport Motor Inn.

SATURDAY 13 MARCH
We have quite a big day today with six to seven hours travelling, but it will be done in easy stages with a number of breaks.  Our first stop will be at Murchison for brunch and then up through the centre of the island to Motueka and then over the hill to Takaka and out to Pohara Beach, one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand.  Our group will stay at two motels and have our evening meals at the Pohara Sands Restaurant.

SUNDAY 14 MARCH
This morning our coach will take us to Pakawau to join our Farewell Spit Tour.  This is a spectacular 7 hour tour travelling in a comfortable 4-wheel drive coach.  We travel through Puponga Farm Park as well as a 26 km ride along the beach to the Farewell Spit Lighthouse.  Farewell Spit is a bird sanctuary and a wetland of international importance.  Lunch and afternoon tea are included.  At the conclusion of our tour our coach will return us to Pohara Beach.  Another tour highlight.

MONDAY 15 MARCH
A relaxing morning in and around Takaka including Earthsea  Gallery, Pupu Springs and a local garden, time in Takaka and then some free time in the afternoon to recharge your batteries or explore Pohara Beach.

TUESDAY 16 MARCH
We leave Pohara this morning to make our way back to Nelson visiting Kaiteriteri for morning tea, possibly Tasman Bay Roses and Mapua before lunch in Richmond.   Afternoon visit to Gardens of the World before booking into the Beachcomber Motor Inn for one night.

WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH
Our last day in the South Island to explore the beautiful city of Nelson, with its lovely gardens, the Cathedral and historic buildings before a visit to the Wearable Arts Museum.  Lunch at the airport before our flight back to Tauranga departing 1415 and arriving 1655.  On arrival you will be returned to your homes.

Doug Crooks Tours Co-ordinator Phone: 07 575 9751 Free Phone: 0800 866 166 Mobile: 025 238 2108