Tour Program
TUESDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
As this conference is quite long, and feedback has been received asking for a break in proceedings, we have put together an afternoon of tours. Sessions will not be held during this time, although some user group meetings are being coordinated separate to the conference.
McLeans Forest Bushwalk
Cost: $25.00 per person (min 10 pax)
Depart: 2.00pm Return: 5.45pm
Enjoy the Waimakariri River Regional Park on foot, amazing walking tracks have been built in the Forest. Catch the shuttle bus with the Mountain Bikers to the McLeans Forest where you will be armed with a walking trail map and some water, meet the group back at the bus in 1.5 hours??
McLeans Forest Mountain Bike
Cost: $40.00 per person (min 10 pax)
Depart: 2.00pm Return: 5.45pm
The shuttle bus will leave from Cathedral Square. Tour includes cost of bike hire and includes helmet. Just bring sneakers, shorts and a casual top to participate. The tour will be split into two groups, a social ride group and a faster group to do the same 10km loop, the track is suited to all skill levels.
Jetboat and Winery Experience
Cost: $100.00 per person (min 10 pax)
Depart: 1.45pm Return: 5.45pm
Following your transfer to the Waimakariri River you will enjoy 30 minutes of jet boating on one of New Zealand’s most challenging and exciting rivers. Experience the thrills that only jet boating can offer - skim the shallows, spin in your own length, feel the power of the vessel
After your jet boating experience you will then visit St Helena Wine Estate or a Waipara winery. Enjoy a tasting of varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Maori and Wildlife Experience
Cost: $112.50 per person (min 10 pax)
Depart: 2.15pm Return: 5.45pm
Discover T’ne Mahuta the Maori God of the Forest and discover the people who live in harmony with nature and find out how our culture has grown.
Ko T’ne is a Maori Cultural Experience is located at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Enjoy an authentic Maori cultural experience, where you’ll be greeted with a traditional powhiri (greeting), learn about Maori traditions, and where you’ll be able to explore the living village and wildlife reserve.
Refreshments are available from the café during the afternoon, but are not included in the price.
Tastes of New Zealand Tour
Cost: $80 per person (min 10 pax)
Depart: 1.30pm Return: 5.45pm
Visit 4 of Canterbury’s top cuisine outlets and taste some of New Zealand’s finest delights - de Spa chocolates, Akaroa Salmon, New Zealand cheese and icecream, St Helena wines, continental meats, schnapps, liqueurs cheeses and ice cream.
de Spa Chocolatier produce over 70 varieties of hand-made chocolates. Taste and observe the chocolates being made.
Isaac Salmon produce in excess of 170 tonnes of salmon per annum, with ‘Peacock Springs’ salmon found at leading restaurants and on supermarket shelves throughout New Zealand. See and taste this delicious salmon.
Euro Deli Meats are Canterbury producers of the finest quality salami and smallgoods. All products are hand made and smoked on site. Taste a variety of specialty meats.
St Helena Wine Estate is an award winning winery. Taste various South Island wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir.
Private Home & Garden Tour
Cost $80.00 per person (min 10 pax)
Departs 2.00pm Returns 5.45pm
Visit Merivale a private residence, home to one of Christchurch’s prominent families, where you will be hosted by the owner to a home and garden visit. Travel across the city, past many of the City highlights, to the Port Hills.
At Sign of the Takahe viewing platform stop for orientation views over the City, across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps, and up to Kaikoura. Then continue down into Governors Bay, located at the top Lyttelton Harbour, to visit Ohinetahi Garden. This is the magnificent private garden and residence of Sir Miles Warren, one of New Zealand’s most prominent architects. Ohinetahi is rated as one of New Zealand’s best gardens and is known internationally. Here you can enjoy afternoon tea in the beautiful garden.
City Segway Tour
Cost $80.00 per person (min 7 pax)
Departs 2.00 pm Returns 4.00 pm
Imagine cruising effortlessly through the beautiful parks and city sights while receiving great interpretation and information from your guide. With a short training session to get you moving, the tour will wind its way through Hagley Park and down to Riccarton House where you will have the option to embark on a 10 minute walk through Riccarton Bush (remnant Kahikatea Forest), before gliding through the outskirts of the city to the museum via the Christchurch Art Gallery and Arts Centre.
CAMPUS TOURS
Campus tours are available on Tuesday afternoon as well. All campus tours include transport and afternoon tea.
CASS FIELD STATION
Cost: $60 per person (max 22 people)
Depart: 1.30pm Return: 7pm approx
Tour leader: Rob Oudshoorn
Visit one of University of Canterbury’s various field stations. The station is located within the foot hills of the Southern Alps in the Arthurs Pass Region. This station has supported a wide range of teaching and research within the alpine and sub alpine environment. The visit will also include visits to view the alps and other areas of interest.
Warm clothes and walking shoes recommended.
SULLIVAN AVENUE CAMPUS
Cost: $60 per person (max 40 people)
Depart: 1.45pm Return: 5pm
Tour Leader: Phil Agnew, Project Manager
TradeFit is a ‘Partnership for Excellence’ – capability/expansion 3 year project. Effectively expanding and enhancing the Trade and Skill based training at CPIT in conjunction with industry and community.
To make this happen 80 partners are contributing $4.7m mainly in kind with machinery, plant, materials, consultation and some cash.
Based at the Sullivan Avenue Campus the project builds upon the new Engineering Technology Building (which as just had its 3rd birthday) and the existing building and construction school.
The tour will discuss and include:
- The project development process
- The implementation process
- How it dovetails with the existing operation
- Physical tour and explanation of functionality
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Cost: $60 per person (max 40 people)
Depart: 1.45pm Return: 5.00pm
The University of Canterbury campus occupies in the order of 90 hectares in the Christchurch suburb of Ilam some 6 km from the central city. The campus was established in this suburban setting between 1959 and 1974 and presents a magnificent array of 60’s modernist buildings through to the brutalist concrete structures of the 70’s – all in a magnificent open park setting.
The tour will encompass many of the design gems of the University including the James Hight Central Library, a building recently distinguished with an enduring architecture award, the Erskine Building, an award winning energy efficient late 90’s structure and the soon to be completed, Warren and Mahoney Innovation Centre, designed around principles of sustainability.
Time will also be allocated to explore the grounds of the University including the Okeover Community Garden and to consider the campus stream restoration projects that have literally breathed new life into campus waterways and have restored the streams as pedagogical tools in their own right.
The tour will also include the magnificent grounds of the Staff Club and incorporate the building itself, known to many, as the location for Peter Jacksons “Heavenly Creatures” film.
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY DAIRY FARM VISIT
Cost: $60 per person (max 20 people)
Depart: 1.45pm Return:5.00pm
The LUDF is owned by Lincoln University and managed by SIDDC. Its main aim is to develop and demonstrate world-best practice in dairy farm systems and to transfer them to dairy farms throughout the South Island. The farm tests and develops practical applications of new technologies which help maximise the use of pastoral production systems, while achieving a commercial return, protecting the environment, and considering the industry’s 4% productivity gain target.
The 186 hectare irrigated property, of which 161 hectare is the milking platform, is a former University sheep farm. It was converted to dairying in 2001 and is managed by the South Island Dairying Development Centre [SIDDC], representing its 6 partner organisations [refer to About SIDDC]. The spray irrigation system includes two centre pivots, small hand shifted lateral sprinklers, and k-lines. The different soil types on the farm represent most of the common soil types in Canterbury.
PRE & POST CONFERENCE TOURS
Available Saturday 27 September, Sunday 28 September and Thursday 2 October. Please note, should minimum numbers not materialise for these tours, they may be cancelled. All tours will depart and return from the Christchurch Convention centre.
WAIPARA WINE TOUR
Cost: $98.00 per person
Depart: 12.30pm Return: 6.00pm
The South Island of New Zealand has some of the southernmost vineyards in the world with climatic conditions which produce distinctive wines that cannot be found anywhere else.
The Waipara Valley is Canterbury’s premier wine growing region and is located 50 minutes north of Christchurch. It is an ideal cool climate grape growing region with Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominating local plantings.
This tour includes visits to 4 wineries in the Waipara Valley. You will experience a wine tasting, a tour through Waipara’s largest commercial winery, and a lunch platter and tea or coffee at one of the wineries.
AKAROA SCENIC DAY TOUR
Cost: $168.00 per person
Depart: 8.30am Return: 5.15pm
Visit the beautiful historic seaside town of Akaroa which is known for its French heritage, majestic scenery and rare wildlife. Travel the scenic route to Akaroa, over the Port hills, viewing the scenic coves and bays of Banks Peninsula formed from an extinct volcano.
Once in Akaroa Township, spend some time exploring this historic and picturesque village, galleries, and local craft shops, then join the award winning Akaroa Harbour cruise which explores the beautiful sheltered harbour.
Experience a rich variety of marine life, such as the playful Hectors Dolphin and a seascape dominated by towering cliffs teeming with marine birdlife. Lunch is at an award winning waterfront restaurant overlooking the Akaroa Harbour.
CITY SIGHTS TOUR
Cost: $50.00 per person
Depart: 1.30pm Return: 4.30pm
The tour commences by covering the central city highlights, including Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, Thomas Edmonds former band rotunda and the Avon River, Town Hall, the floral clock, Law Courts, Provincial Chambers, Christ’s College, Museum, Botanical Gardens, Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard, and the Bridge of Remembrance.
On leaving the city you will travel around Hagley Park, arriving at the Mona Vale homestead and gardens. From Mona Vale you travel across town towards the Port Hills viewing the Catholic Cathedral on our way to the hillside suburbs. From Mt Pleasant enjoy the city and beach views. Carry onto the seaside suburb of Sumner and stop at Cave Rock. Return to Christchurch via the Lyttelton tunnel and travel back to the city centre via the Eastern suburbs.
GARDEN TOUR
Cost: $80.00 per person
Depart: 8.30am Return: 12.30pm
This tour takes in three outstanding private gardens in the Christchurch area including Ohinetahi in Governors Bay. This garden is rated as one of the best in New Zealand and is known internationally.
At each of the three private gardens you will have time to wander around and explore and view a wide range of native and exotic plants and trees.
ALPINE SAFARI TOUR
Cost: $360.00 per person
Depart: 8.30am Return: 6.20pm
Enjoy a fun, exciting and scenic adventure into the breathtaking Southern Alps of New Zealand. The day starts with a scenic drive from Christchurch over the Canterbury plains to the Waimakariri Gorge, then experience the famous Hamilton jet-boat on a 45 minute jet boat ride.
From the river jump in an off road vehicle for an exciting four-wheel-drive adventure across Mt Torlesse Station. Then experience the thrill and excitement of off-roading while taking in spectacular Alpine scenery. Stop along the way for a delicious champagne picnic lunch in a relaxing and serene setting.
After lunch continue the journey over the historic SH73 over Porters Pass to Arthur’s Pass National Park. From here, board the world famous TranzAlpine train for a relaxing journey back to Christchurch. The TranzAlpine is rated one of the top rail journeys in the World. Guests will be collected from Christchurch railway station and returned to the Christchurch Convention Centre
MUST SEE FOUR
Cost: $115.00 per person
Depart: 9.00am Return: 5.00pm
This tour includes four of Christchurch’s main attractions. First stop is the International Antarctic Centre, a winner of the New Zealand Tourism Board’s award for ‘Best Visitor Attraction’. It recreates the atmosphere of Antarctica and provides the visitor with an interactive exciting experience of this Southern Continent which very few people have the opportunity to experience first hand.
Then move on to Willowbank Wildlife reserve, to experience New Zealand’s largest and most unique daytime Kiwi viewing area. Feed and pat unique animals throughout the reserve. The reserve contains a large variety of birds and animal life both native and introduced.
Following Willowbank, enjoy the Christchurch Tram with its 2.5km of track through the central city. The 25 minute tour includes a guide to the city’s ‘must see’ attractions and full on-board commentary. Then move on to the Christchurch Gondola - a cable car ride to the summit with breathtaking 360 degree views of the city, Canterbury Plains, and Banks Peninsula.
full fee for your tour will be transferred to the independent Tour Operator. If you decide to cancel your tour booking within 14 days of the tour date, any refunds will be subject to the Tour Operators cancellation policy.
