Day 1 - Thursday 08 May 2025
Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand
We will be transferred as a group from the airport to our accommodation.
The rest of the day is yours to discover Wellington at your leisure.
This evening we will meet up for our Welcome Dinner.
Day 2 - Friday, 09 May 2025
This morning we will take the cable car up to Mt Victoria for views over Welllington. Afterwards, we will walk to Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum where you will have free time to explore the museum at your leisure.
After lunch, we will enjoy an afternoon Seal Coast safari before returning to our accommodation.
Day 3 - Saturday, 10 May 2025
Did someone say YARN? Today we will spend a few hours at Capital Fibre Fest, a makers market with all things yarn, fibre, wool and craft with a balance across the different types of fibre and yarn available showcasing many indie-dyers from across New Zealand. Afterwards, we will travel to Greytown where you will have a couple hours to explore the quaint shops in this beautiful town.
Day 4 - Sunday, 11 May 2025
This morning we will transfer to the Interislander ferry terminal and board our vessel for the trip across Cook Strait. We'll enter the unchanged wilderness of the Marlborough Sounds, a popular resort for holidaymakers during the summer months, and haven for boatowners. Cruise through spectacular scenery into the small, picturesque settlement of Picton. Once we arrive on the South Island, we'll depart the picturesque seaside town of Picton and make our way to the Abel Tasman National Park where we will be for the next three nights.
Day 5 - Monday, 12 May 2025
Today we will enjoy a knitting workshop at our accomodation.
Day 6 - Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Meet our guide and join a Cruise to Torrent Bay for a sea kayaking experience and discover the beautiful beaches, tidal estuaries and rivers of the most scenic kayaking area of the park, Anchorage to Bark Bay. Pause at a sheltered cove for lunch and take time out to relax, explore, swim or sunbathe on the golden sand. You may even see some of the Blue Penguins that live here.
Day 7 - Wednesday, 14 May 2025
After transferring from Awaroa to Kaiteriteri we will be met by our driver and depart to Blenheim, with some stops en route in and around Nelson – taking in some Arts, Crafts, History along the way and closer to Blenheim we will stop for a wine tasting at one of the most boutique vineyards in the region, Clos Henri
Day 8 - Thursday, 15 May 2025
Today, we'll experience the best that Marlborough has to offer on a exclusive tour with natural beauty, exquisite wines and culinary delight; an unforgettable journey of luxury and sensory pleasures. Enjoy a Marlborough Sounds cruise on a luxurious catamaran treating us to the rich flavours of the region through sampling the locally sourced delicacies. As the cruise concludes in Picton we will meet our knowledgeable driver before venturing into the heart of Marlborough’s wine region where awe-inspiring landscapes await. Let the beauty of the region fascinate you as we take a scenic tour, discovering the hidden gems that make Marlborough’s wines truly exceptional. To further the experience, we'll enjoy a three course meal at as leading winery, each dish is expertly paired with exquisite wine. Following lunch next stop is at an iconic winery as you indulge in a private tasting before we return to our hotel.
Day 9 - Friday, 16 May 2025
Depart sunny Blenheim and the Marlborough district and travel south down the east coast where the majestic Kaikoura mountain range, snowcapped for much of the year, reaches down to the ocean. Pass through the settlement of Kaikoura itself. Climb over the Hundalee Hills before descending into the Waipara Valley, one of New Zealand’s finest and most rapidly expanding wine areas. Continue over the rolling patch worked countryside of North Canterbury, noted for its sheep and cattle farming, through a series of small satellite towns. If time permites, we'll have a quick stop in the thriving country town of Rangiora - the town has several interesting museums and some wonderful heritage buildings, including one of Canterbury's oldest wooden churches. From here, we head on over the Waimakariri River and arrive into Christchurch.
Day 10 - Saturday, 17 May 2025
Today we will make some local visits to Starcrest Farm, Ashford Woollen Mill and if time permits, Wild Earth Yarns.
Day 11 - Sunday, 18 May 2025
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch at your leisure. You will have a full day Tram Ticket.
Board the Christchurch Tram and step back in time to a grand era of transport. Enjoy a 50-minute journey in style through the changing face of Christchurch's city centre on board a beautifully restored heritage Tram. Friendly and knowledgeable drivers will inform you about the city, it's landmarks and local sights. Your day long ticket allows you to get on and off the Tram as often as you please. The journey takes you to the appropriate stops for Punting on the Avon, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tour and the Gondola Shuttle bus. Cathedral Junction, the Avon River, gothic-style Arts Centre, the Canterbury Museum and New Regent Street are just some of the sights to be seen from the comfort of your Tram. Get on and off with your ticket throughout the day at any of the 18 stops. The Trams run approx every 15-25 minutes.
This evening we will meet in th ehotel lobby to enjoy a Progressive Dinner Experience. On this 3-hour progressive dinner tour, travel on foot down weaving through laneways, gardens and hidden squares, past historic buildings and landmarks revealing gems hidden in plain sight. Stop at your guide's favourite establishments, sharing kai (food) and tasting the regions finest beverages. In between courses you will learn about māori and settler culture and see the city come to life at night. Soak up the local feel of Otatauhi (Te Reo Māori for Christchurch) as you enjoy its emerging foodie scene. Between stories, visit locally loved modern New Zealand restaurants for seasonal shared plates of local produce and savour new favorite bites among dishes you probably wouldn't order on your own.
Day 12 - Monday, 19 May 2025
Departing Christchurch, we will travel across the Canterbury Plains through fields and farms. The longest bridge in New Zealand takes us across the Rakaia River, a typical New Zealand ‘braided river’ where numerous channels of water flow across a wide gravel bed. The river originates in the Southern Alps which can be seen to the west as we continue over the flat land through Ashburton, centre of this large sheep and wheat farming area. We'll stop at Ashford Wollen Mill. From sheep farms in the South Island of New Zealand they only accept wool from grass-fed sheep, free from mulesing, they select only wool with good length (free from breaks), high bulk, brightness, very low vegetable matter and within the correct micron range. Shortly after crossing the Rangitata River, we turn inland to Geraldine - the gateway to the lakes in the central Mackenzie Basin. This is the perfect place to stop for a coffee. Travel onward over undulating sheep country to Fairlie and further ascend to the settlement of Lake Tekapo, where the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd perches on the lakeside.
From Lake Tekapo, we continue south through Simon's Pass and along the southern shores of Lake Pukaki. Pass through the towns of Twizel and Omarama and continue over the Lindis Pass, which links the MacKenzie Basin with Central Otago. As you descend into the Upper Clutha Valley, the scenery changes quite dramatically. Turn off near Cromwell and enter the rugged but beautiful Cromwell Gorge, following the Clutha River to the historic town of Clyde. It is in Clyde where we will visit Touch Yarns.
Day 13 - Tueday, 20 May 2025
Today’s drive will take us through two stunning gorges and as well as through one of New Zealand’s best known wine regions. After leaving Clyde, enter the rugged Cromwell Gorge, following the Clutha River to Cromwell, known for its stone fruit and wine production.
Then we'll travel on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Highway; a short distance and only takes 45 minutes from start to end it is easily one of New Zealand’s most scenic roads. This incredible road skirts alongside beautiful Lake Wakatipu. Towering mountains provide the most epic backdrop for the drive. You’ll find swimming spots, hiking trails, Lord of the Rings filming sites, and lots of photo ops along the way.
Day 14 - Wednesday 21 May 2025
Journey through rolling countryside to Manapouri where we will board our cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm before boarding a coach and crossing the alpine route of Wilmot Pass through some of Fiordland’s most dense rainforest. On reaching Deep Cove, we'll board a modern catamaran vessel for a cruise exploring the waterways of this serene and isolated fiord. There is plenty of time to explore points of interest and view the spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and mountains all the way out to the Tasman Sea. A Nature Guide with specialist knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna provides a detailed commentary. On the return cruise, the vessel’s engines are turned off to enjoy the ‘sound of silence’ before returning to Te Anau.
Day 15 - Thursday, 22 May 2025
Our morning starts with an exclusive tour of the kitchen gardens, selecting fresh seasonal vegetables and picking herbs to use in our lunch.
Once back in the kitchen, the chef will discuss ideas and recipes with us to create a chef's choice lunch that is not only healthy but extremely delicious. then it's a case of 'watch and learn', gaining expert knowledge and useful tips to take home. You can be actively involved in your lunch (a chef always needs someone to help with the prep and give things a good stir!) or soak it all in from the other side of the kitchen bench.
Once lunch is ready, we will sit and enjoy our meal in The Dining Room with stunning views of mountain ranges and a complimentary glass of wine.
This afternoon, we have a knitting worksop lined up for our group.
Day 16 - Friday, 23 May 2025
Today we travel back to Queenstown. We'll head over to Shotover Beach on the banks of the Shotover River, known as the world's richest gold bearing river. The Shotover's rugged canyons have been carved over thousands of years by billions of tonnes of glacial water sluicing from the heart of the Southern Alps. Once at the river, we'll board the Shotover Jet for the ride of our life. Skim past rocky outcrops at close range as you twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds and hold on tight for the world famous Shotover Jet full 360° spin!
This evening, we will step aboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a 40 minute cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Onboard, the Captain provides an interesting commentary as we take in the spectacular views of Cecil and Walter Peaks and the western shores of Lake Wakatipu. The original steam engines can be seen in operation from the open viewing area and you are welcome to visit the Fo’c’cle Gallery to view the historic displays.
We'll disembark the TSS Earnslaw at Walter Peak and be escorted through the lakeside gardens to the recently refurbished Colonel’s Homestead and seated for dinner. Relax in the unique ambience in front of a roaring open fire and soak in the views from this stunning lakeside setting while the chefs prepare a gourmet BBQ on the grill with a selection of succulent New Zealand meat and seafood accompanied by delectable seasonal salads, tasty dessert treats and local cheeses. All meat and seafood is cooked on the BBQ and rotisserie in front of guests.
After our meal we'll join an entertaining farm experience which gives an insight into life in the New Zealand high country including a sheep shearing demonstration. The night-time cruise home is magical. Join in the camaraderie of a sing-along with the ship’s pianist.
Day 17, Saturday 24 2025
Today we will be tranferred to the Queenstown Airport in time to check-in for our flight to Auckland (flight not included).
Upon arriving in Auckland, we will be taken to the WoolFest Auckland for one last yarn shopping experience.
Day 18 - Sunday, 25 May 2025
This morning we will enjoy a 45 minutes All Blacks Experience. You will have some free to explore Queen Street or the Viaduct ahead of our afternoon transfer to the airport.
