Over the years Bay Tours has taken many trips into the South Island hinterland. Spectacular inland destinations have lured us away from the coast. As a consequence we have often sped past, or stayed only briefly in, towns and districts from Mid-Canterbury to North Otago that deserve more attention. Places such as Geraldine, Temuka, Waimate, Duntroon and Oamaru are gems hiding in plain sight. These places possess rich, storied histories and conjure up images of iconic scenes and characters. On this tour, we will stop in off the southern highway and experience some of them.
Over the course of 8 days, we’ll visit some of the great farming estates such as coastal Longbeach and Coniston – home of ‘The Ashburton Run’. Station Peak homestead at Hakataramea and historic Totara Estate, south of Oamaru. We’ll visit iconic food producers like Barkers of Geraldine and Whitestone Cheese in Oamaru. Marvel at natural wonders as we walk amongst the ‘Elephant Rocks’ at Duntroon and the famous Boulders at Moeraki. We’ll visit spectacular gardens like the private Broadfields at Rolleston and the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden in Timaru. Local industrial and technological landmarks are on full view too. From 19th century working wonders like Nicol’s Blacksmith Forge and the belt-driven Clark’s Flourmill to the roar and thunder of steam locomotives and one of the last remaining RNZAF Skyhawk fighter aircraft. We’ll celebrate locals who conquered the world like runner Jack Lovelock and champion racehorse, Phar Lap. And we’ll visit the quirkiest of buildings, from ‘Dot’s Castle’ at Riverstone to the visual curiosity that is the Kurow Pub. And if you think Napier has the best Art Deco example of a hotel called Masonic, you’re in for a surprise. We’ll get up close to wallabies at wonderful Waimate and even plant a Totara tree with the community there, to mark our visit. All this and more as we scratch below the surface of these remarkable places off the southern highway. This will be one of the highlight tours of 2024.