Wild – This is a wild landscape of mountains and rivers, with valley slopes covered by wild Sweet Briar (Rosa rubiginosa).
Tamed – Large, old-rose collections in gardens and historic gold-mining villages.
- Hear a wide variety of lectures relating to wild and tamed old roses.
- Visit private old-rose gardens and historic villages backdropped by magestic mountains.
- Have dinner accompanied by a specially vinted Heritage Rosé wine in a stunning garden setting.
- Participate in the Heritage Roses poster competition.
- Enjoy the company of old rosarians in the hub of the most sought-after tourist destination in New Zealand.
Registration of Interest
We will keep you informed on conference developments until such time as the official registration commences.
For enquiries, click here to email the conference coordinator.
Pre-conference Tour
Dunedin to Cromwell
Wednesday 27 Nov – Thursday 28 Nov 2024
Bus tour around gardens in Dunedin, including the internationally famous Heritage Rose collection at the picturesque Northern Cemetery. Then follow a trail of gardens to reach Cromwell.
Northern Cemetery Dunedin
Programme
Heritage Roses NZ National Conference
Thursday 28 Nov – Sunday 1 Dec 2024
| Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Lectures Morning tea Lectures Lunch | Lectures Morning tea Lectures Lunch | Buses leave from auditorium travelling to Arrowtown region. Garden visits Lunch: Golden Hill Garden |
|
| Afternoon | Registration Set up posters Trades Trading Table, cuttings and plants. Raffle Visit Historic Cromwell and its rescued Heritage Roses, self guided. | Garden visits in Cromwell region, travelling by bus. | Garden visits to Clyde region, travelling by bus. Walk around Historic Clyde. Heritage Roses NZ Rosé wine at Orchard Garden. | Heritage Rose Trail in Arrowtown and historic town. |
| Evening | Opening ceremony with pōwhiri (Māori welcome). Casual buffet dinner, tea, coffee. | Free choice Optional: wine tasting at O Naturel Vineyard and Winery. | Conference Dinner at Orchard Garden. |
Location of Conference Venue
Presbyterian Auditorium, Cromwell
10 Elspeth Street
Cromwell 9310
- Within 40 minutes’ drive from Queenstown International Airport.
- Within 30 minutes’ drive from Arrowtown, Wanaka and Clyde.
- Within easy walking distance of town centre, supermarkets, and most accommodation providers.
- Within 10 kms of outlying accommodation providers such as Penny’s Drop Inn, Marsden Lake Resort, Central Park Apartments and Motels.
Transport
Hire Cars:
Queenstown International Airport: all major car rental companies.
Cromwell: Hanson Rentals, 21 Hughes Crescent, Cromwell – hanson.net.nz
This is a small, local rental car company. They can do one-way hires between Dunedin and Cromwell.
Buses:
Ritchies have a limited bus service between Queenstown and Cromwell – ritchies.co.nz
Intercity have a bus service between Dunedin and Cromwell – intercity.co.nz
Conference Shuttle:
There are currently no taxi or Uber services in Cromwell.
The conference will provide a free shuttle service for up to 10 kms to get you to and from the venue each morning and evening for those without their own transport. This will include Penny’s Drop Inn, Marsden Lake Resort and Central Park Apartments and Motels.
Garden Visits and Conference Dinner:
The conference will provide full bus services to gardens and the conference dinner.
Accommodation
Cromwell is a premium tourist destination. Accommodation is always well-booked. Ensure you book accommodation as soon as possible.
A useful site is cromwell.org.nz. Otherwise use accommodation standard search engines.
The conference has block booked at three locations:
The Gate
Hotel in Cromwell, an easy walk to the conference venue. We have been offered a discounted rate of $280.00/night per twin/double room. 44 rooms have been set aside for conference delegates until 26th October 2024. Contact directly – thegate.nz.
Penny’s Drop Inn
This is a modern, economical, shared accommodation about 9 kms from Cromwell. There are up to 29 beds in twin/double or bunk rooms. All accommodation has been set aside for conference delegates until 30th August 2024. Contact directly – pennysdropinnnz.com.
O Naturel
Vineyard-stay accommodation with two units, both set aside, about 2 kms from Cromwell. We will be visiting this garden and have an optional wine tasting here. Both units have been set aside for conference delegates until 30th August 2024. Contact directly – onaturel.co.
Poster Competition
This is a new event for Heritage Roses NZ. Any delegate is welcome to present a poster on any old rose topic.
Posters will be displayed in the auditorium and foyer from Thursday afternoon and throughout the conference.
The format may be information on a classic poster or cards, electronic with a PowerPoint presentation, possibly on a loop… use your imagination.
The venue has many pin boards, tables, power points, computer screens, etc, etc. Email us with your requirements so we can set material aside.
There will be a prize for the best poster decided by delegate votes.
Stay On Afterwards
Cromwell is the hub of New Zealand’s prime tourist destination – Central Otago and Southern Lakes. As well as attending the conference, consider:
- Visit beautiful lakeside Queenstown or Wanaka townships for some retail therapy.
- Visit quaint old gold-mining town, Ophir and have lunch at Pitchers Store.
- Visit the stunning St Bathans Blue Lake and old gold mining ghost town.
- Drive to the alpine meadows on Carrick Range (the highest public road in New Zealand) or Old Man Range – note: both are suitable only for 4WD.
- Cycle the Lake Dunstan Track or the Rail Trail (e-bikes for hire in Cromwell and Clyde).
- Walk the nearby Sluicings at Bannockburn with its fields of wild thyme (Thymus) or the Aurora Track at Bendigo Old Gold Mining Nature Reserve with its cushion plants (Rauolia) on dry spurs and other native plants in the lusher valleys. Each about 90 minutes’ walk after a short drive.
- Visit wineries and restaurants near Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown and Wanaka.
For further information go to:
centralotagonz.com
queenstownnz.co.nz
lakewanaka.co.nz
doc.govt.nz
