South Canterbury Ngāi Tahu Rock Art Tour

When: Saturday 15 February 8.30am-6.00pm
Full day outing (postponement date of 22 February)
Details are as follows:

South Canterbury Ngāi Tahu Rock Art Tour
Rock art at Frenchman's Gully

When: Saturday 15 February 8.30am-6.00pm
Full day outing (postponement date of 22 February)

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is excited to be able to offer you a tour of Te Ana Ngāi Tahu Rock Art Centre in Timaru, and of two private access rock art sites in the area. There will also be the opportunity to visit and hear about the Timaru Landing Services Building (Category 1 historic place, dated 1870) which houses the Rock Art Centre.

Te Ana Rock Art Centre is an interactive tourism attraction housing the largest and most significant collection of Māori rock art in the world. Te Ana Manager and Curator for the Ngāi Tahu Rock Art Trust Amanda Symon says, “Te Ana offers a genuine cultural interpretation of the rock art from this region. Visitors will be taken on a unique journey through the rich cultural history of Ngāi Tahu via interactive multi-sensory displays, hosted by our highly trained local guides.”

The art of visual story telling through rock drawing is one of the oldest recorded art forms, dating back as far as 40,000 years in some countries. The South Island of New Zealand, and in particular the South Canterbury region, is well known for its ancient rock art.

 

Travel and Duration

We will travel by bus together. If you live out of Christchurch and wish to self-drive please let us know on the booking sheet. It is easier for participants and organisers if we all travel together.

It will be a busy day but we will try to keep to our itinerary.

 

Access

The tracks from the bus to the rock art sites are levelled in most places and are mown regularly. It is a leisurely 5 – 10mins over pasture and down a hill. The walk back takes a leisurely 10 – 15mins uphill, but we will slow and take breaks at different caves. Moderate fitness is required. The ground is uneven in places.

 

What to Bring

•  Lunch to eat onsite,
• Picnic rug
• Sunblock, hat
• Good walking shoes, dress appropriately for the weather.
• Afternoon tea

Morning tea will be provided by Speights Ale House ($6.50 per person) whilst listening to a history of the Landing Services Building. Bring afternoon tea to have at the end of the rock art site visit or on the bus home.

 

Costs

NZHPT members: $60 per person includes entry to Te Ana Rock Art Centre, two rock art sites and the coach transport.

Non-members - please contact the NZHPT's Southern Regional office for details, or refer to the booking form. The booking formt posted out on request.

There is an additional cost for morning tea which will be provided by Speights Ale House ($6.50 per person) whilst listening to a history of the Landing Services Building. Pay at venue for this.

 

Bookings

Bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Booking form and payment (cheque) due by Friday 31 January 2014.

Contact infosouthern@historic.org.nz or phone NZHPT's Southern Regional Office on (03) 363 1880 for a booking form.