Sheep, Kiwi, and Spectacular scenery  - Oh, my! 

Explore all things woolly and wonderful in Aotearoa! Aotearoa being the Māori name for the two islands that make up New Zealand. We begin our tour discovering Auckland's City of Sails on the North Island and then fly to Wellington. With a little bit of “patupaiarehe” luck (magic folk of Maori-lore), we may even get to see the kiwi - that rarest of birds. We will take a scenic ferry across the Cook Straight and enjoy some local wine as we make our way down to Queenstown. But first we have two days at an 11,000 head Merino sheep station in the Kaikoura Mountain Range of the Southern Island. We will visit local yarn shops, explore the scenic landscape, participate in a workshop or two and have High Tea surrounded by beautiful gardens in Christchurch. As if that wasn't enough to ensure a fabulous trip, we will go on to visit a Giant’s House, spend an evening in a “Scottish” Castle, and may encounter an albatross or two - a bird that has an incredible wingspan of nearly 10 feet. 

For those who want to add on a couple of additional amazing experiences you can spend a day at Hobbiton before the tour or do a spectacular scenic cruise in Milford after the tour ends.

We will be experiencing a wide gamut of accommodation styles on this trip from luxurious sheep stations to boutique hotels. Prepare to be wowed!

To Register
A Registration Form and a non-refundable $1000 deposit are required to join the trip. Once you submit your online registration and deposit payment is received, your spot on the tour is secure. See our Terms & Conditions here.

Tour Activity Level 

We would describe this trip as an Expedition.

Mobility Comfort Level = 3+

Some short walks with uneven terrain on farms and outings; limited ground floor rooms at all properties; there are taxis at own cost on when you have free time; what you bring you have to carry there are no porters. Feel free to reach out to make sure this is the right fit for you. 

Review our Tour Activity and Mobility Comfort Levels here.

This trip needs at least 10 participants in order to proceed (i.e. the trip is "guaranteed"). Once the tour is a guaranteed departure, our regular Terms and Conditions apply for cancellation (click here to see our Terms and Conditions). 

Travel Insurance 

Rowan Tree Travel highly recommends purchasing travel insurance. You may purchase through our preferred partner Arch RoamRight by clicking here or through your own provider. (*Arch RoamRight is an affiliate of RTTF and we will receive a small commission for policies bought through the provided link.)

Arranging Your Flights 

In order to gather easily for the tour, we provide an arrival and departure "window" at a major transportation hub - typically an international airport at your destination country. Flights scheduled outside the provided windows may result in additional transportation costs and missed tour activities. For this reason, we greatly appreciate your cooperation in booking travel that accommodates our specifications. Please do not purchase airfare until the tour is guaranteed by RTTF to go forward. 

Please Note the Following 

Rowan Tree Travel reserves the right to alter any part of this itinerary in order to address weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances or to improve the participant experience.

Have questions? Please contact us at info@rowantreetravel.com

KIA ORA! 

Welcome to New Zealand!  Some people will have arrived early and be out doing activities so today is your arrival day to check in and settle in. Your local Fiber Ambassador Jo will be at the hotel to welcome everyone and answer any questions. We can meet at the bar at 7pm for a drink and chat.

AUCKLAND

The morning is spent discovering Auckland. Explore the harbor area, perhaps take in a WETA workshop tour and learn how Orcs are born (well, okay…made) and/or a visit to the Sky Tower - your choice.  A short ferry ride, taking in the harbor views, is next on the agenda as we head to Devonport  for lunch and a wander. Perhaps a visit to Loopine Wool Company, where you could could meet American expat owner Alanna Penk. Tonight we will have our welcome dinner down at one of our fabulous restaurants.

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON 

Today we leave the 'City of Sails' and head to the Capital of Wellington another city with a spectacular harbor view and many points of interest. Our first night there is a chance to settle into our hotel grab a later lunch and maybe some snacks as tonight we are heading out on our night walking tour to see if we can spot a Kiwi or two.

WELLINGTON

Today we will have a tour of Te Papa New Zealand renowned museum, we will have a walk though both Māori cultural influences and what makes New Zealand unique.

There is time today to explore and enjoy this very vibrant and compact city, perhaps the Sunday markets, or a walk down colorful Cuba Street. You can take a stroll around the beautiful waterfront, take a hike into the hills, or jump on the cable car for spectacular views and then a walk around the gardens.

MIDDLEHURST SHEEP STATION

Today will take the ferry across Cook Straight, this 3 hour or so journey has incredible scenery and an opportunity to sit back with your stitching and be inspired. Then we will be picked up and after a 45 minute drive taken to a beautiful winery where we can have a tasting and enjoy some platters before heading to the beautiful Middlehurst Sheep Station in the Awatere River Valley!  We will be met by the Macdonald family who have prepared a spectacular couple of days for us. Sue Macdonald is a fleece specialist and micron guru. Willie tends the flock and the land. Both are stewards with a profound love, respect, and awe for their beautiful part of the world. We will enjoy a yarn and wonderful meal together.

MIDDLEHURST SHEEP STATION

After a hearty farm breakfast, we’re off to watch the sheepdogs muster a mob of sheep into the yards. With us sheep deep in Merino wool by then, Sue will share her approach for the chosen breeding and genetics at Middlehurst Station. The afternoon is devoted to “fleece to fabric” with the possibility of a relaxed workshop with Jo. We have lunch and dinner today. Yes we can turn the hot tubs on for those who want a soak, they are wood-fired and just a short walk from your rooms. 

CHRISTCHURCH

It is with heavy heart that we must leave the station and continue our journey.

Today is a big driving day through Molesworth station which is spectacular so we will still stop at a historic point for a stretch, we will have a lunch break and continue to the Garden City of Christchurch, where we will spend the next three nights.

CHRISTCHURCH

Our day in Christchurch we plan to do a punt down the Avon river as well as a visit to a local creative group, and enjoy high tea at Mona Vale with some time to explore the beautiful gardens.

CHRISTCHURCH

We will drive down the scenic West Coast to Akaroa where our first stop is the Giant’s House, home of the artist and horticulturist Josie Martin. We visit her remarkable gardens, followed by lunch in the house and hearing from Josie about her work. After our visit, we head into the small town of Akaroa and walk along the oceanfront, with perhaps a chance to nab Hokey Pokey - the uniquely New Zealand honeycomb crunch ice cream. Our evening is a chance for people to try out one of the many lovely eateries.

OAMARU

A fond farewell to Christchurch, as we head to Wild Earth Yarns. They are small batch carders and spinners from small fleece flocks, producing some lovely yarns. After a tour with owners Jacqui and Graham Mclaughlin we peruse the bespoke yarns in their store. Then head to Ashburton, home of Ashford spinning wheels. We have a presentation, lunch in the Ashford Café and have ample time to explore their sizable Aladdin’s Cave of a store … a treasure trove even if you’re not a spinner. Then we are off  to Oamaru, check in to our hotel, grab a bite to eat in town, before heading down to catch sight of the Blue Penguins as the whole colony pours back in from the ocean to roost for the night.

OAMARU

We plan to start the day with a visit to McClean & Co Weavers owned by Rod and Sue McClean. Rod and Sue work from home and that is where we learn about their restored Hattersley looms on which they produce unique fabrics from locally produced New Zealand wool. The rest of the day is spent exploring quaint and quirky Oamaru: Crafted art gallery, the Textile Emporium and the Steampunk Museum HQ! 

OAMARU TO DUNEDIN 

We head down the coast for a beach walk this morning, and along Moeraki Boulders Beach to check out the large spherical boulders exhumed by coastal erosion. We can grab a bite to eat in their café before heading further south to Dunedin to the Royal Albatross Centre. This is the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony. Given that we are there during the time when adults fly in to feed their chicks, we have a shot at getting a glimpse of the great birds in full flight. We also have the opportunity to have a boat trip here as well for added viewing opportunities. Next is the historical town of Dunedin where you can enjoy one of the many cafes and restaurants or stay at the hotel as that is also an historical building which you can enjoy.

DUNEDIN

After exploring the day in Dunedin, we head to Larnach Castle built by merchant baron William Larnach for his wife Eliza in 1871 in Scottish style. We are given a tour and have a chance to visit the beautiful gardens before heading to our own private dinner in the Music Room. 

ARROWTOWN

We leave Dunedin and drive towards Queenstown we will visit Arrowtown to take in the autumn foliage and walk about town for a bit before heading into Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Our hotel is a short walk to town and the lakefront, or perhaps you would like a gondola ride followed by an adrenaline-spiking zipline ride...

QUEENSTOWN

Our last full day together we will enjoy the TSS Earnslaw Steam boat to a remote farm for lunch and tour which is a lovely way to spend the day is this beautiful part of the world. Then we will enjoy our farewell dinner together.

DEPARTURE

After our farewells the night before, a final breakfast together, some of you might want to add another couple of days to the beautiful part of the world, otherwise you can grab a taxi or uber to the airport and reflect on your amazing adventure. Until we meet again...

I have lived in New Zealand since the mid 90's after emigrating from Ireland and the UK as a child. Fifteen years was spent growing up in Australia in New South Wales.  Her love of fibres started as a child when her mum taught her how to crochet, and her nana taught her to knit. She has a love of all things fibre, so embroidery, mixed textiles and fibres, are like a chocolate box of yummy things to choose from. Jo did weaving as a major work at High School and loves to be creative when she has the opportunity.  She is an active relaxer so there is always something on the go. For over thirty years Jo has travelled to over 50 countries and led tours around the world. New Zealand is one of the best places for beauty, culture and friendly locals coupled with wonderful fibres to touch and create with. Did you know there used to be more sheep in New Zealand than people! 

Kay comes from New Zealand, a family of knitters, farmers, shearers and foresters, growing up around woolsheds and farms. She loves wool and textile arts, knits and has dipped into wool felting, wanting to do more with gotland wool. She is also fascinated with the history of wool and craft in communities and how people connect and build relationships and become friends through craft in their communities and more widely.

Kay has travelled for work and pleasure in New Zealand and to other countries. She hunts out agricultural events and shows, including New Zealand’s national agricultural field-days, and is following New Zealand’s wool industry’s innovations.

Kay has worked with New Zealand's primary industries, having worked with farmers, horticulturalists, viticulturists/winemakers, and foresters. Most recently she advocates for New Zealand's rural communities so that people living in rural areas can prosper and achieve their aspirations.

In her spare time Kay gardens on the coast northwest of Wellington where she raised her two sons, knits, reads, practices yoga, cooks, enjoys music gigs, and finds a beach for an any season swim.