The Road To Mesopotamia

OVERVIEW

Spend a day immersed in the magnificence of Rangitata Valley and the Southern Alps, making picturesque stops and lunching at a historic high-country sheep station. For pure scenic splendor, few locales on Earth compare to this one – so visually stunning it served as a backdrop for several Lord of the Rings films. Some highlights from your journey to the alps will include a stop at the wonderfully quirky Tin Shed country store to browse sumptuous woolens produced in this sheep-happy part of the world, and a short walk into the virgin woodlands of Peel Forest, alive with birdlife and towering podocarp trees that have stood for hundreds of years, spared from lumbering. Your ultimate destination is Mesopotamia Station, named in 1860 for its position between two rivers – much like the ancient Mesopotamia. During your time here in this amazing high-country outpost, you’ll learn about its intrepid early settlers and the challenges of living at the station even today. A home-style picnic lunch will be served, and you’ll have plenty of time for a leisurely walk, some photography, or just sit back and in awe at the views. A stop in artsy, artisanal Geraldine adds magic to the drive back.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel by panoramic coach from Timaru into a natural setting so stunning it’s starred in Tolkien movies.
• Shop for fine woolens inside an old grain shed and walk among trees older than New Zealand itself.
• Tour the high-country sheep station known as Mesopotamia, settled in 1860 and still plenty rustic.
• Enjoy a home-style picnic lunch here, with time to wander the amazingly scenic property after.
• Visit the arts enclave of Geraldine on the way back, admired especially for its cheeses and preserves.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing; include a light jacket.
• Flat, sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.