Stamping battery in a remote tussock landscape at Serpentine

or to the valley lowlands: 
•  the historic goldfields sites & towns
• wildflowers of the drylands/lowland tour country
• the orchards and vineyards of the valley lowlands 

TOURS 
We specialise in half day to full day tours throughout the region which are tailormade to suit you. Our keen interest and knowledge in the areas of  local history, geology, flora and fauna ensure our clients enjoy an informative and interesting tour. 

The landscape,  the flora,  fauna - many endemic to the region,  the climate and the effect of humans of what it has done and is still doing to the land has provided for a large option of different types of tours and walks from the high wet mountain territory to the west to the dry valleys and plans to the east. 

Chafer Beetle

Nature eco-tours and walks cover all aspects of what has survived from the destructive nature of what humans have done to the region. The mountains are a refuge for our native flora & fauna while the lowlands are now mainly dominated by introduced plant species. 

Historic tours/walks

Old homestead ruins at Welshtown

cover all aspects of history of the region, from Maori legend to the early pasture settlers in the late 1850's and the gold mining rushes of the early 1860's. These early prospectors covered the whole region in their search for gold. The towns,  remains of stone huts, ruins,  landscape sculptures created by sluicing,  races,  dams,  bridges,  dredge tailings/ponds, and abandoned equipment such as waterwheels and stamper batteries, are the highlights of our historic tours which can visit some remote parts of the region. 

Landscape and general tours provide for outings of a few hours,  or out for up to a full day travelling over the plans,  alongside rivers/lakes,  through gorges or up onto the mountains - weather/conditions permitting.  Central Otago,  especially around Alexandra has the lowest rainfall, very dry, clear air, low humidity and a very extreme temperature range which makes possible this unique landscape that can be seen travelling across the region - lowland tor country,  or on a visit to the mountains with its more spectacular tors and hummock features. 

Wine trail / vineyard tours and orchard visits can be organised any time during the year.  Though the orchard industry is well established - been going since the late 1860's,  the vineyard industry has only been going since the 1980's though back in the 1860's vines also could be grown but by the early 1880's,   grape growing was discontinued. 

Few places in the world can these vineyards be found in such a diverse and rugged location - Alexandra, Cromwell,  Gibbston Valley and Wanaka.   Here,  the finicky Pinot Noir has found an environment in which it thrives while white wines also perform well,  characteristic by delicate flavours,  aromas and crisp acidity. 
 

TOUR OPTIONS

Tundra landscape, Old Man Range

We specialise in half day or full day tours with options of short walks or long walks. 
We cater for small groups of from one to eleven people travelling to all points of Central Otago. 
We provide the transport and morning/afternoon tea with the option of lunch while you provide the warm clothes and strong footwear. 
We use four wheel drive vehicles and can cater for any level of fitness. 

For detailed map of the region, click here. Please allow a short time for the map to download.