DAY 1:

We begin the day with informal language practice at home – topics include everyday greetings, farm and rural vocabulary. There’s lots of time for speaking and getting to know each other. After morning tea, we visit a traditional working farm nestled in the foothills of Four Peaks mountain range, near Geraldine. All our farms are family owned and run - meet the people and share their stories; see the dogs hard at work with sheep, cows and other animals … you might even get the chance to try your hand at shearing a sheep!

Enjoy a delicious lunch in Geraldine at an historic cottage café/deli with a picturesque garden.

After lunch we take a short scenic drive into the hills and visit Peel Forest –let’s go horse-trekking! Peel Forest is one of the best kept secrets of South Canterbury. The small settlement is an oasis of beauty and tranquillity set amid the lush native forest of Peel Forest Park, on the south bank of the Rangitata River. No experience is necessary – there are horses suitable for all age groups and all levels of experience. You’ll love the breath-taking views of the mountains, Rangitata River and the Canterbury Plains.

Now it’s time to rest and relax with a picnic afternoon tea – you might want to share yours with the many lovely native birds who will keep you company.

DAY 2:

Informal language practice at home – today’s topics include pioneer New Zealand, people, places and stories of the early days. After morning tea, a spectacular drive featuring many highlights of the old pioneer trail brings us into the high Mackenzie Country and to Lake Tekapo, famous for its amazing colour, the tiny church perched on the lakeside, dog statue dedicated to the working dogs of the high country, and the clearest skies you’ll ever see.

Plenty of time for lunch, a chance to stroll around the village and see the sights and, weather permitting, we’ll go a little further to view Mt Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Alternatively, you might want to spend the afternoon at Alpine Springs & Spa Hot Pools complex … each of the three large outdoor public pools have spectacular views out to Lake Tekapo and surrounding mountains.

Stop for afternoon tea at a scenic hilltop café on the way home, and then it’s
back to your homestay hosts for dinner, bed and breakfast.

DAY 3:

We begin with informal language practice at home – today’s topics include Maori language, crafts, customs, culture and art. After morning tea, we’ll go to the local school to meet the children, visit a classroom and enjoy a cultural exchange – a great chance to sample education Kiwi style!

Next, we take the scenic pioneer trail to lunch at historic Opihi Vineyard Café. With its spectacular natural setting and original limestone cottage, lunch here is an experience to savour. Opihi, the Maori name for the region, means ‘good growth’, and you’ll see why this is appropriate.

The afternoon sees us enjoying a sight-seeing drive as we go off the beaten track to follow the stories of some of our most memorable pioneers, including sheep-stealing local hero James Mackenzie, after whom the high country is named, and pioneer aviator Richard Pearse, believed to have flown before the Wright Brothers.

And a highlight: We also visit ancient Maori rock art sites – a chance to learn something of these beautiful, mysterious drawings and the people who created them.

Take afternoon tea at a country gift shop café or village café/deli before heading home to your homestay hosts for dinner, bed and breakfast.