The Road to Mesopotamia

For scenic splendor, few places compare to the majestic Rangitata Valley, where you'll tour remote Mesopotamia Station, a sheep station dating back to the 1860s.

Your tour commences at the pier with a coach drive north into the Rangitata Valley, an area so visually stunning that it served as a backdrop for several Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" movies. This is classic New Zealand sheep country, as you'll discover during a brief stop at the Tin Shed, a wonderfully unusual store that was once a grain shed. The merchandise here includes a fine line of woolen goods ranging from sweaters to blankets.

Nearby, you'll visit the Peel Forest where you can take a short walk into the virgin woodlands. Much of this ancient forest was unscathed by lumbering, and many of the towering podocarp trees are hundreds of years old. The forest supports abundant bird life, and you may see and hear native species like the vociferous Bellbird and the wren-like Rifleman.

Continuing on, you'll make your way to Mesopotamia Station, a high-country sheep station nestled in the heart of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Named in 1860, Mesopotamia or "land between two rivers" refers to its location between the Forest Creek and Rangitata Rivers, much like ancient Mesopotamia was situated between the Tigris and Euphrates. Here, you'll learn about the first settlers, the challenges of living at the station today, and enjoy a home-style picnic lunch. There's plenty of time to take a leisurely walk, capture some photos, or just sit back and relax while taking in the amazing views.

Rejoining your coach, you will make a stop in Geraldine on your way back to the pier in Timaru. Geraldine is an artistic village nestled amongst rolling hills and farmland. Be sure to sample its signature products, including cheese and fruit preserves.