The Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes
Around Canterbury you'll find the Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes. Ask your guide about stargazing — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Otago → Canterbury
If you're based in Mosgiel and curious about Oxford, a private day tour is the simplest way to make it happen.
Oxford sits in Canterbury — braided rivers and patchwork plains running up to the Southern Alps. Travel privately with a local driver-guide and the day becomes yours: stop for the view, take the short walk, and let someone else handle the wheel.
Canterbury
A taste of what a day around Oxford can hold.
Around Canterbury you'll find the Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes. Ask your guide about stargazing — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Around Canterbury you'll find alpine passes and high-country stations. Ask your guide about scenic rail journeys — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Around Canterbury you'll find a rebuilt garden city with street art everywhere. Ask your guide about alpine hiking — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Around Canterbury you'll find whale-watching and volcanic harbours on the coast. Ask your guide about whale and wildlife watching — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Ways to travel between Mosgiel and Oxford.
A big day out with your own guide — viewpoints, short walks and the landmarks that pull people to the South Island in the first place.
Move between towns the slow way, stopping at lake edges, passes and lookouts that most travellers drive straight past.
Guided time on foot, from gentle lakeside strolls to a genuine day walk, matched to your fitness and the conditions.
String several highlights together in one private vehicle, with the flexibility to linger where it's worth lingering.
Premium vehicle, a hand-picked guide and a day shaped around cellar doors, private walks and quiet corners.
Your driver-guide is a local. They know which lookout is clear in the morning, which café is worth the stop and which short walk is worth the shoes.
The road between Mosgiel and Oxford threads through the kind of country people fly across the world to see — braided rivers and patchwork plains running up to the Southern Alps.
Going private means the day belongs to you: no fixed departure times, no coach-load of strangers, and no rushing past something you wanted to photograph.
Make the most of both ends of your journey.
Before you set out, Mosgiel is a good place to slow down — Otago is known for Victorian and Edwardian architecture and surreal boulders and limestone landscapes.
Once you arrive, Oxford opens up whale and wildlife watching, alpine hiking and scenic rail journeys in and around the wider Canterbury area.
Tell us what you'd like to do and we'll come back with a private itinerary and a clear quote.