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* New Zealand Wilderness Painting Adventures *

From the spectacular mountains featured in 'The Lord of the Rings' films, along unspoilt coastlines and into pristine native bush, *New Zealand Wilderness Painting Adventures* will take you painting, sketching, photographing and exploring some of the most beautiful locations you can imagine. It's your choice to paint in watercolours, acrylics or oils and as it can be a hassle travelling with all this gear, art materials are included and ready for you. Arrangements can be made to ship your paintings back to your home when they are dry. All tours offer you optional extra adventures and exceptional places to paint.

   En Plein Air  With the choice of an 8-day or 16-day travel itinerary each year, or a tailor-made tramping (trekking/rambling/hiking) adventure into remote wilderness areas, you join a small group  for the en plein air (on location) painting trip of a lifetime.  You will arrive and depart from Christchurch International Airport.  Non-painting partners welcome! All your meals are provided though you will need to let me know in plenty of time if you have any special dietary requirements. As an added bonus, the New Zealand artists who accompany you are also experienced and qualified ESOL teachers, so it is no problem to us if you have limited English. Get in touch for further questions on the various options  by clicking here

   The 8-Day Painting Adventure 2014 (Wednesday 10 September - Wednesday 17 September 2014) takes you from Christchurch up to the picturesque seaside town of Kaikoura where you will have the chance to go dolphin and whale watching, eat crayfish (lobster) and paua (NZ abalone), go for coastal walks and of course, paint. From there we head inland to Hanmer Springs Village where you can relax in thermal mineral pools, go mountain-biking, horse riding, wander around the village and paint whatever takes your fancy. From there it's back to Christchurch and onto your next journey.

  The 16-Day Painting Adventure 2014 (Wednesday 29 October - Thursday 13 November 2014) takes you from Christchurch to the land of Edoras (Mt Sunday) made famous in the 'Lord of the Rings' films.  Here, you will have the chance to take a Clydesdale-horses wagon ride at Erewhon (Nowhere) and a flight over the Southern Alps (weather permitting) as well as the opportunity to paint/sketch the magnificent scenery. From there we travel to the mountain village of Arthurs Pass which is snuggled into the highest pass over the Southern Alps. Down the other side of the Pass and into Greymouth on the West Coast. Continuing our adventure, we travel up the Coast and through the Buller Gorge on the scenic route to beautiful Tata Beach in the Golden Bay area.  There we'll relax, take short walks, swim in crystal-clear water at safe beaches, visit tiny towns and paint till our hearts are content. I know we'll be sorry to leave, but we're not finished yet as we'll make our way down through the center of the South Island and over the Lewis Pass with the chance to go for short walks, relax in natural thermal pools and of course paint the scenery. Back to Christchurch and the opportunity to visit our famous  A&P show and onto your next journey, wherever that may be.

   The Tramping Adventure 

Again we begin and end our trip in Christchurch and head to the hills. This will suit people who are experienced in tramping/rambling/hiking but who also want to take the time to sketch or photograph as they explore.  The itinerary is organised on an individual basis and worked around the weather. This is a rare opportunity to be escorted by experienced guides into breathtakingly beautiful and remote areas of New Zealand. Get in touch if you'd like to discuss the exciting options  by clicking here

  The 8-Day Painting Adventure 2015 (Wednesday 25 March - Wednesday 1 April 2015) will take you along the East Coast of NZs South Island where you will visit the amazing Moeraki boulders and dine at world-famous wharf-side Fleur's Place.  Then we travel into Central Otago where you will be amazed at the glorious autumn colours and pristine lakes.  We'll be staying on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown which has been named the 'Adventure Capital of the World'. Here we'll ride the ridge-line gondola for breathtaking views and have the option to go jet-boating up the famous Kawarau River ... and of course paint the fabulous scenery. We travel back to Christchurch via the scenic Lindis Pass inland route.

  The 16-Day Painting Adventure 2015 (Wednesday 28 October - Thursday 12 November 2015) will take you from Christchurch to the French seaside town of Akaroa where you will have the opportunity to take a boat ride to see the world's smallest dolphins (the Hector dolphin), go sea kayaking and wander around this quaint harbour-side town. From there we travel inland to Lake Tekapo where you can go cycling, relax in hot pools and take an evening visit to the world famous Mt John observatory. Then on to Mt Cook village (NZs highest mountain) where you can relax, go for alpine walks, take a scenic flight over the Southern Alps, visit a glacier and even paint! Back to Christchurch where you will have the chance to go to our famous A&P Show before you head off for the rest of your own adventures.

Contact me to find out more about *New Zealand Wilderness Painting Adventures* by clicking here