Conference 2012 – ‘High N Dry'

Cromwell - 26-29 April 2012

Programme & Registration
Programme (pdf)
Registration From

The Cromwell Conference has a big emphasis on the future. Sustainable water use, drought tolerant plants and green roof technology will feature strongly. A visit to a winery water treatment rush bed, a green roof, a salt pan reserve and practical seed processing workshops are being planned. Some high calibre overseas speakers are itching to come to Central Otago ... so don't miss out!

Really exciting to see lots of people have booked accommodation for this really social, fun conference already!

Options include:

Golden Gate Lodge: Bed and breakfast $135 ($150 for two people) www.goldengate.co.nz
C arrick Lodge (really close and nice): Smaller studio sleeps 2, $125 www.carricklodge.co.nz
Colonial Manor (also close): Studios from $115 www.colonialmanor.co.nz
Even cheaper options at Cromwell Top 10 Holiday Park, www.cromwellholidaypark.co.nz

Remember to quote IPPS when booking to secure the special rates organized for you.

We will also be picking people up from Queenstown airport, so get onto the Grab a Seat fares - it is very cheap to get to the mainland. Conference finishes 12:00 noon Sunday. It takes 45 mins to the airport, so plan flights for 2pm onwards if possible. We will deliver groups back to Queenstown airport.

Don't forget Mark Brown's special pre-conference tour leaving Dunedin on Monday 23 April and heading via the Taieri Gorge Railway to Middlemarch, then onto Naseby, Ranfurly, Ophir (officially the coldest place in New Zealand), Thompsons Pass and then onto Cromwell in time for conference to begin. Limited to 30 lucky people, so be in - details follow.

Mark your diaries and get onto those leave plans!
Registration forms not too far away.
Warm regards from the 2012 committee.

Pre-Conference Tour - Monday 23 April to Thursday 26 April

Monday 23rd April

8.30am - Meet at Dunedin Historic Railway Station to transfer luggage to vans
9.30am - Taieri Gorge Train departs from Dunedin across the Taieri Plains then following the Taieri River in Central Otago. This is one of the world's greatest train trips.
11.35am - Train arrives at Pukerangi
Buffet car on train for morning tea. Vans meet train
Visit Sutton Salt Lake. 1.5 hour walk round trip. Introduction to Central Otago rock formations and plants
Drive through Middlemarch, Otago's own Wild West town and proceed to the Hyde
Hotel for lunch 1.15pm. Depart 2.15pm.
Drive through Kokonga, Waipiata, Patearoa to Clachanbarn - a garden of National Signifcance growing against the odds in a harsh climate and tenderly cared for by a character of local significance. Garden visit and afternoon tea.
Travel across the Maniototo Plains to Naseby approximately 6pm. Staying at Ancient Briton Hotel.
2 motel units, 1 with 2 singles, 1 with 1 double and 1 single. 12 ensuite rooms. 1 double room (share bathroom), 1 twin room (share bathroom).

Tuesday 24th April

8.45am - 11am Curling. Suggest North versus South.
Drive to and tour Ranfurly Museum etc.
12 - 1pm - Lunch
1.30pm -2.30pm Falls Dam - Steve to investigate DOC reserve for plants worth a look at.
2.50pm - 3.50pm St Bathans Hotel - Ghosts and characters and a tour of St Bathans. Afternoon tea with Mike the publican.
4pm - Head back to Naseby via Wedderburn, arrive Naseby 6.30pm.
Dinner Nasby at the Ancient Briton Hotel

Wednesday 25th April Anzac Day

8.45am - Depart Naseby
10am - Omakau for Anzac service and morning tea. Cost approximately $10.
Then to Blacks Cottage at Ophir, one of the earliest properties settled in the area with an interesting layout and all in a part of New Zealand that has the lowest temperatures ever recorded. Please note, not many visitors get the pleasure to visit this property and meet yet another character of local significance. Lunch here
2pm - Depart and travel over Thompsons Track through old gold mining areas. 22 gates to be opened and closed! Not suitable for the faint hearted. To be investigated further.
Onto Golden Gate Hotel

Thursday 26th April

Bus to Remarkables Alpine fields
Remarkables Mountain Range. Once again not a trip for the faint-hearted. Some may wish to sit on the left side going up and right coming down. Alpine herb fields with a wide range of plants from Hectorella caespinosa, Aciphylla kirkii to Chionochloa macr. Arne Cleland may be available to describe the challenges of revegetating around the ski field area.
Warm clothing required (essential)