Experience Maniototo

Cost $2,250 per couple

Arrive at The Old Doctor’s Residence at any time that suits your travel arrangements and enjoy a great night’s sleep in either The Dansey’s Room or Parker’s Suite.

Day 1.

Today after breakfast, take a relaxing stroll around historic Naseby. There are a large number of fine old buildings to see including the grand Post Office which is one of only 3 buildings in the town with 2 stories and the only one built of redbrick, the Athenaeum, Masonic Hall, Courthouse, County Council Office, the churches, and of course the two pubs. Surrounding the domain are a number of 100 year old trees which are said to represent the various nationalities of the miners who worked on the Naseby goldfield. The monuments and headstones on the graves at the Naseby cemetery make interesting reading and tell of the rich history of the town. After lunch, you’ve got the chance to qualify for the next Winter Olympics by spending time on the ice at the Maniototo Indoor Curling Rink, the only Olympic size facility in the Southern Hemisphere. Experience the historic Scottish game of curling, first played outdoors here in the mid 1800s by the goldminers on the dams and natural ponds of the Maniototo.

Please refer to Curling on the list of Activities for more information.

Afterwards, you can enjoy the hospitality and dinner offered by The Old Doctor’s Residence.

Day 2.

You’ll need a special breakfast today because it’s time to spend a day cycling a part of the popular Otago Central Rail Trail. The most spectacular section of the 150km ride is the 23km between Lauder and Oturehua or vice versa depending on the wind. From Lauder you cross the Manuherikia River on the trail’s longest bridge, pass through tunnels cut through the schist bluffs of the Raggedy Range and over the 37m high Poolburn Viaduct. There is spectacular gorge scenery and views of both the Manuherikia and Ida Valleys. And you may spot the rare New Zealand falcon here too. Then, just before you arrive at Oturehua you’ll pass the famous Idaburn dam where curling’s Annual Bonspiel is held…ice permitting. You can stop at Oturehua, or if you’re still feeling energetic, it’s only another 11km to Wedderburn.
Please refer to Rail Trail on the list of Activities for more information.

Tonight we suggest you have dinner at one of the two historic Naseby pubs, The Royal or The Ancient Briton.

Day 3

After yesterday’s physical activity you can relax today and be driven on a spectacular 4 wheel drive safari. Experience the magic of the Maniototo’s big sky and the rugged broad tussock-covered high country. You will visit the historic goldfields at Naseby, Mt Buster and St Bathans where the sluicing for gold formed a moon-like landscape and a cavernous hole which flooded to become the Blue Lake. The old main street that bustled with hundreds of diggers still boasts theVulcan, an old goldmining pub, Post Office, Gold Office and Public Hall

Please refer to 4 Wheel Drive on the list of Activities for more information.

Back at The Old Doctor’s Residence you will enjoy a pre-dinner wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres followed by dinner in the formal lounge.

Depart The Old Doctor’s Residence after breakfast the following morning to continue your travel schedule.

Please Note.

Breakfasts, lunches, dinners and your transport from Day 1 are all included in the price. Wine and other café visits are not included
The price quoted for Experience Maniototo is for a couple travelling together and is an indication only as it will depend on the activities that you choose.
You decide on your arrival and departure times from The Old Doctor’s Residence. We will fit in with your schedule.
We will book your transport requirements from Dunedin or Queenstown whether it is a rental car or shuttle bus you require. You may even want to travel on the Taieri Gorge Railway which is highly recommended. We have good contacts in both towns and can arrange accommodation there for you if required. These transport arrangements and the accommodation is not included in the price quoted.