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.

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

This trip needs at least 11 participants in order to proceed (i.e. the trip is "guaranteed"). We strongly advise you to wait to purchase your flights until the trip is guaranteed by us to go forward. Unless otherwise stated, our regular Terms and Conditions apply to this trip and for any cancellations (click here to see our Terms and Conditions).

Tour Activity Level 

We would describe this trip as a 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 available at your own cost for when you have free time; what you bring you have to carry as 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.

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.

KIA ORA! 

Welcome to New Zealand! Some people will have arrived early and may 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. Let’s meet at the bar at 7pm for a drink and a 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), 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.

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON 

Today we leave the “City of Sails” and fly to the capital, Wellington — another city with spectacular harbor views and many points of interest. Our first night there is a chance to settle into our hotel, grab a late lunch (and maybe some snacks), as tonight we’re heading out on a 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, a renowned museum, that will take us through 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

We’ll take the scenic ferry across Cook Strait — a three-hour journey offering incredible views and a perfect opportunity to sit back with your stitching and be inspired. After disembarking, a 45-minute drive brings us to a beautiful stop where we’ll enjoy high tea before continuing on to our home for the next two nights: the breathtaking Middlehurst Sheep Station in the Awatere River Valley.

We’ll be welcomed by the Macdonald family, whose deep care and passion for their land and animals are immediately evident. Sue Macdonald, a fleece specialist and micron guru, along with her husband Willie, who tends the flock and the land, will share their lives with us over the coming days.

Our time here is a true highlight — an immersion into Merino country life. We’ll watch the working dogs muster a mob of sheep, learn about breeding and genetics specific to Merino, and gain insights into the journey from fleece to fabric. There may even be a relaxed workshop with Jo for those who’d like to get hands-on.

Meals at the station are hearty and home-cooked, shared around the table with new friends and warm conversation. In the evenings, those who wish can enjoy a soak in the wood-fired hot tubs, just a short walk from your rooms — the perfect way to end the day under a canopy of Southern Hemisphere stars.

DRIVE TO CHRISTCHURCH

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

Today is a big driving day through Molesworth Station — spectacular scenery awaits! We’ll stop at a historic point for a stretch, have a lunch break, and continue to the Garden City of Christchurch, where we’ll spend the next three nights.

CHRISTCHURCH

Our time in Christchurch begins with a leisurely punt down the Avon River — a tranquil and charming way to see the city from a new perspective. We’ll also visit a local creative group and enjoy a delightful High Tea at Mona Vale, surrounded by beautiful gardens and blooming color.

The following day, we’ll journey along the scenic road to Akaroa, a coastal gem known for its French heritage and artistic flair. Our first stop is the Giant’s House — home of artist and horticulturist Josie Martin. We’ll explore her remarkable mosaic gardens, followed by lunch in the house and a talk from Josie about her work and inspiration. Afterward, there’s time to wander through the town’s boutique shops and along the oceanfront. Don’t miss the chance to try Hokey Pokey — New Zealand’s famous honeycomb-crunch ice cream!

In the evening, you’ll have time to relax or sample one or the town's many inviting eateries before we continue our journey south.

CHRISTCHURCH TO OAMARU

We'll bid a fond farewell to Christchurch as we head further south, with some woolly stops along the way. These small-batch carders and spinners work with fleece from small flocks to produce lovely yarns. After a tour with owners Jacqui and Graham McLaughlin, we’ll peruse their bespoke yarns in the store. We’ll make a few more delightful stops as we make our way to Oamaru, where we’ll enjoy one of the local restaurants for an easy dinner of your choosing.

OAMARU

We’ll start the day with a visit to McClean & Co. Weavers, owned by Rod and Sue McClean. Working from home, they’ll show us their restored Hattersley looms, used to produce unique fabrics from locally sourced 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’ll head down the coast for a morning beach walk along Moeraki Boulders Beach to see the large spherical boulders revealed by coastal erosion. We can grab a bite to eat in the café before heading further south to the Royal Albatross Centre in Dunedin — the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony.

Given the timing, when adults fly in to feed their chicks, we might just glimpse these magnificent birds in full flight. There’s also an optional boat trip here for additional viewing opportunities. Then it’s on to the historical town of Dunedin, where you can enjoy one of the many cafés and restaurants, or relax at our historic hotel.

DUNEDIN

Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Dunedin — perhaps visit the historic railway station — before we head to Larnach Castle for lunch and a tour. Built in 1871 by merchant baron William Larnach for his wife Eliza, the castle showcases Scottish architectural style. After a garden stroll, we’ll decide on a time to meet before heading back into Dunedin for dinner at a restaurant of your choosing.

ARROWTOWN

We leave Dunedin and drive towards Queenstown, stopping in Arrowtown to enjoy the spring foliage and a stroll through town before heading into Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Our hotel is a short walk to town and the lakefront - or perhaps you'd like a gondola ride followed by an adrenaline-spiking zipline adventure!

QUEENSTOWN

Our last full day together we will enjoy the TSS Earnslaw steamboat to a remote farm for lunch and a tour - a lovely way to soak in the beauty of this part of the world. Then we'll enjoy our farewell dinner together.

DEPARTURE

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

Jo has 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, practises yoga, cooks, enjoys music gigs, and finds a beach for an any season swim.