DAY 1 - After picking you up from home (all part of the Hinterland service) we arrive at Tauranga Airport to check in for our direct flight to Christchurch. On arrival in the Garden City, we will board our tour coach for the short journey to the first of our “aviation” themed destinations, this one being the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram.

​

First we have time for lunch (at your cost) at the Contact Café, located alongside the historic aircraft with views across the former Wigram airfield to the Port Hills, before our guided tour. Suitably replenished it's time for an in depth “behind the scenes” guided tour, this extended tour offers access to the restoration workshop as well as the reserve collection of aircraft, vehicles and engines that are not normally open to the public.

​

Departing the museum, we leave Christchurch and head south along SH1 to Ashburton, which has a strong aviation history. The town was a training centre in World War 2 with 50 Tiger Moths based here. We dine together tonight at our hotel in Ashburton.

​

DAY 2 - Today we have a 350km journey, so sit back, relax and enjoy the amazing scenery of the South Island as we head to our hotel in Cromwell, our location for the next 4 nights. Here we can enjoy all of the action of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Warbirds Airshow – Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024, for all 3 days.

​

After a leisurely breakfast we leave for the Ashburton Aviation Museum which houses a collection of over 20 aircraft. A guided tour is arranged  for you to view the collection, which include the Devon, Vampire, Harvard, Harrier GR3, Canberra B2 Bomber Cockpit, Meteor, Zlin, DC3, Vampire and Tiger Moth to name a few. We will also be able to visit the aircraft restoration workshop. 

​

Our lunch destination today is at the Barkers Foodstore and Eatery in Geraldine, another NZ icon. New in 2019, the store offers a great range of lunch options and chance to stock up on those special preserves we all love. Following lunch (your cost) we travel further inland, through Burkes Pass and into the legendary Mackenzie - an area of great wide-open spaces, the highest mountains, awe-inspiring glaciers and vivid turquoise lakes.

​

We take a break at Burkes Pass – chance to browse the quirky Three Creeks Arts and Crafts Shop - housed in the old General Store. There is also a 1950s service station and a blacksmith shop and trading store. The shops provide a wealth of art works, crafts, giftware, retro collectibles, wooden furniture, and more.

​

Our route then travels past Lake Tekapo with its famous Church of the Good Shepherd.

Then Lake Pukaki where we should have views of Aoraki / Mount Cook before our next “comfort stop” at Omarama's Wrinkly Ram Café. No time today to enjoy their sheep show, just some nice afternoon tea. Our final leg of the journey today takes us over the Lindis Pass, through the gold mining area of Bendigo, finally alongside Lake Dunstan to our accommodation in Cromwell. Tonight, we will dine at our lakeside hotel.

​

​

​

​

​

Day 3 - Today is the first day of the Warbirds over Wanaka International Air Show (acclaimed as one of the world's top four Warbird airshows), which in 2024 celebrates 36 years of operation. Started by aviation entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis in 1988, this is now a biennial centre piece of Central Otago’s tourist attractions with around 50,000 attending this amazing showcase of all things aviation. Our GOLD PASS tickets offer us the best 3-day experience – with great seating in the grandstand situated directly in front of the runway. An attached large marquee and hospitality area offers a range food and beverage options to purchase. Complimentary tea, coffee and water are available to us throughout the show.

​

GOLD PASS holders also receive an airshow branded bag, gold cap and badge, an airshow programme, a voucher for one free drink and free entry to the Warbirds and Wheels visitor attraction (see below). You will also be able to mingle with the pilots, get autographs and walk the flight line on Saturday or Sunday.

​

The Warbirds and Wheels museum houses New Zealand’s best collection of luxury American classic cars and vintage vehicles. The recent extensive upgrade showcases how classic cars, warbirds and people’s lives have changed from the major conflicts of the 20th century through to modern times. The attraction also boasts six fighter  aircraft from World War 1 and World War 2 through to the impressive SkyHawk and more modern jets. You can visit the museum at any time during the airshow.

​

Friday is practice day so there is no airshow scheduled, but all ground displays are open and Warbirds, civil and military aircraft will be conducting practice displays in preparation for the following days. Returning to Cromwell after the practice day, there is time to freshen up before we head out to a top restaurant to sample great local produce.

​

Day 4 - Today is Airshow Display Day – which commences at 10.00am. We will make an early start to arrive in good time.  Spend the day making full use of your Gold Pass privileges, really enjoy the amazing flying displays and also get close to the aircraft and displays on the ground. The finale each day is worth waiting for as aircraft attack the ground based enemy - with plenty of large pyrotechnics going off. You can also expect to see the RNZAF here celebrating their 85th Anniversary. If you want to keep abreast of the flight program leading up to the show then see the official airshow website here.

​

After this action packed day we will return to Cromwell where we will dine at our lakeside hotel and no doubt you will have plenty to talk about.

​

Day 5 - The final day of the air show.  The program today replicates the one we saw yesterday but there may be a few additional aircraft flying due to operational issues the day prior. If you have had your fill of planes, then we will have a few options available that you could opt for (some additional charges may apply) while others attend the show.

​

The National Transport and Toy Museum situated alongside the airshow may be of interest and can take a whole day to explore fully (entry $20 or seniors $17). This fascinating museum houses one of the largest private collections in the world, with over 600 vehicles, including classic cars, motorcycles, fire appliances, military vehicles, buses, trucks, tractors, construction gear and boats. There are also 20 civilian and military aircraft from the 1930’s to 1990’s as well as a collection of over 60,000 toys. There is something for everyone, such as clockwork and battery powered toys, dolls, teddy bears, pedal cars, remote control models, money boxes and 1,000’s of scale models.

​

Or you may want to just relax at the hotel and “do your own thing” today before we meet up again this evening for dinner at one of the best local restaurants.

​

Day 6 - Today we leave Cromwell and head to Queenstown, with our first stop being the Highlands Motorsport Park - rated as the #1 activity in the region on TripAdvisor. Included in our program is a visit to see some classic and ultra-modern vehicles at the Highlands Motorsport Museum. You don’t have to be a motorsport junkie to enjoy the visit as there are some optional, less fast-paced experiences as well. Stroll through the impressive sculpture park and enjoy the incredible mountain vistas on the horizon. Indulge in the Aroma Room wine tasting, an exceptional experience for the senses. But if you want a hot lap in a Ferrari or a blast around the go-kart track, then let us know in advance and we will make it happen (for a fee!).

​

A short drive along the stunning Kawarau Gorge brings us to the Goldfields Mining Centre, situated on this fast-flowing river. Once known as Gee’s Flat, the centre is now a historic reserve, set aside by the Department of Conservation to preserve an authentic mining site where gold has been mined for over 100 years and can still be found in the rocks & gravels of this unique area. Our guide will give an informative talk about the Central Otago goldrush and demonstrate the California sluice gun, revealing its awesome water pressure used to dislodge gold bearing ore. Then we will see a stamper battery in operation as it is used to crush gold-bearing rock. Our tour will conclude with a chance for us to pan for our own.

​

Next, we head to historic Arrowtown, passing through the Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley. We have plenty of time here for lunch at any of the local cafes or restaurants (your cost) as well as exploring the quaint boutique shops, the museum, or the Chinese miners village, before we continue to Queenstown.

​

Arriving at our central hotel mid-afternoon you will have time to explore Queenstown before we dine this evening at our hotel restaurant.

​

​

​

​

​

​

Day 7 - Following a late start and hearty breakfast, we first ride the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak. At over 450 metres above Queenstown, this must do attraction affords stunning views over the city, The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu far below. Chance here for you to try your skill on the luge track, (extra cost). We return back down to the lakefront in time to board Queenstown’s most iconic attraction – the TSS Earnslaw. As we cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station, this 107-year-old steamship provides us with a taste of yesteryear. You can even view the engine room as she chugs across the lake.

​

Our visit to Walter Peak Station begins with a sumptuous BBQ style buffet lunch, after which you can explore the gardens and grounds or join the resident shepherd for a sheep farming demonstration. On return to Queenstown the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to plan as you wish, you may not even need dinner tonight after your amazing lunch. 

​

Day 8 - Sadly today is the last of our Warbirds over Wanaka tour, so we must leave Queenstown and head back to Tauranga. Our flights north should have us back to Tauranga, arriving in the afternoon where the Hinterland team of drivers will be waiting to make the final transfer back to your door after this amazing trip.