THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC, SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH Invites you to join us in celebrating 120 years since the FIRST POWERED MOTOR VEHICLES TRAVELLED TO THE HERMITAGE, MT COOK.
5TH, 6TH, 7TH February 2026
- Entries close Wednesday December 31st 2025.
- This celebration is open to all Veteran, Vintage and Post Vintage vehicles and follows closely as is possible to the Centennial event held in 2006.
About this Rally
5 February 2026 – Registration
Registration will be Thursday 5th February 2026, from 5pm til 10.30pm at the South Canterbury Clubrooms, 19 Redruth St, Timaru. This is the normal Branch Noggin Night, cash bar will be operating, the parts shed will be open. Supper will be provided.
6 February 2026 – Timaru to Tekapo
The starting point is yet to be confirmed but will be advised to entrants where the start will be. First car away at 9am and we will travel to morning tea at Opawa Homestead at Albury, the original home of John Rutherford, owner of one of the two De Dion Bouton cars that were first to travel to Mt Cook. The Albury School will be providing your morning tea and will be dressed for the occasion so your wearing of period costume would be appreciated.
Lunch will be at Fairlie. You can provide your own picnic, or order a lunch box on your registration form, or purchase in Fairlie. ( Remember it is a holiday weekend so food could be limited. ) After lunch give yourself time to visit the Fairlie Museum. This is on your way out of Fairlie. There is a display of C.W.F Hamilton’s designer Jet Boat and information. Bill Hamilton was the designer of the very first Jet Boat in New Zealand. You can visit This
Museum individually if you wish.
The first days motoring will finish at Lake Tekapo. There is a Bar B Que meal for all, arranged at the Tekapo Hall, from 4-30pm. Time for a chat and catch up with friends. You will need to bring your own drinks. Tea and Coffee will be supplied.
While in Tekapo there are many places to visit. One of these is the Mt John Observatory. There is a road charge of $8 at the time of printing this. The payment can ONLY be paid by CARD. NO CASH. This fee is per vehicle, not per person. The road to Mt John is all sealed and has steep gradients. Amazing views at the top, and a great coffee shop as well. There are tours to the Observatory and these have to be booked thru the Dark Sky project. The Dark Sky Experience combines many tales/science/astronomy/ preserving the night sky/ a daytime indoor astronomy tour. The Dark Sky Experience is a world first and is a must on all itineries if staying in Tekapo or just passing thru. You will have time in the morning for a visit if you run short of time when you arrive in Tekapo. Check them out 0800 327 5759 , or 03 680 6960, or info@darkskyproject.co.nz Many choices for you to choose from. Book yourself in. Also check out the toilets in the Lake Tekapo car park. These are adorned with photos from George Empson, he is a well known, world famous photographer, but lives in Tekapo. You will have seen many of his photos during the news clips on TV.
7 February 2026 – Tekapo to Mt Cook
The next morning 7 th February, you can leave at your own time. There is no morning tea stop scheduled this morning. If you would like to visit the Irishman Creek Station and visit the Museum then please contact them direct. irishmancreek.enquiries@gmail.com
Period costume especially preferred on this day as there will be secret squirrels floating around choosing the best dressed for this day. Prizes will be awarded at the Evening Dinner at the Distinction Country Hotel Twizel.
Your lunch stop today will be at Glentanner Station Woolshed. You will have tickets to hand in for your lunch.
After our lunch stop we will proceed in car order if possible on the main SH to The Hermitage, Mt Cook. You might visit the Lavender farm on the way. Please obey any Marshall’s instructions, and be considerate of others. Feel free to wander around. They have great shopping areas upstairs and down, and hopefully they will have the video playing taken from 20 years ago.
Parking could be an issue. Pease take care. Your plaque will be handed out at the Hermitage door. After your visit, feel free to wander up to the glaciers for a look around.
You only have a short trip into Twizel ( approx 66km, or 48 miles ) so plenty of time for a drive to the glaciers etc.
Assemble back at the Distinction Country Hotel Twizel from 6pm. ( Cash bar available ) A slide show/video will be playing and presentations at 6.30pm with the prepaid meal starting at 7pm. Your meal tickets will be in your rally packs. Those who are not partaking of the meal, you are most welcome to attend the before dinner drinks and chat. ( Cash Bar )