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Given the usual disclaimer that things could possibly change, here is the planned itinerary for the Bash (more details to be added).

Most notes in the Location Summary and Bash hints for each place are taken from the Bash Bulletin (don’t know who wrote them).

Day 0 – Saturday, March 6 – Christchurch

• Overview: The day most people arrive in Christchurch, the day before the Bash officially begins, but with a Pre-Bash dinner that night.
• Christchurch: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city, historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy for visitors to get around.
• Bash hints: A spectacular pre-Bash dinner is planned for Saturday 6th of March
• Dinner: Night at the Races, at Addington Raceway. Dress in theme or team gear.

Day 1 – Sunday, March 7 – Christchurch – Hanmer Springs

• Overview: First day of the Bash, heading from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs. The official start of the 20th Anniversary could involve an attempt on a Guinness™ World Record. A Hanmer Springs street carnival is in the pipeline to coincide with our visit.
• Distance: 134 kms
• Morning: Breakfast at Woolston.
• 12 noon – 1pm: Official launch and lunch at Cathedral Square, with a massive water fight.
• 4 – 6pm: in Hanmer Springs, the Bashers will join in the fun of the Trolley Derby and Street Carnival
• Hanmer Springs: Wikipedia, Official Hanmer Springs Website
• Location Summary: Situated in the foothills of the Southern Alps, the resort town of Hanmer Springs is an attractive year-round holiday destination for adventure, relaxation and indulgence. Local activities are all about experiencing the beautiful environment. At the end of the day, head for the thermal reserve to soak in the naturally heated pools.
• Dinner: Pool party at the Hanmer Springs Spa, dressing in theme.

Day 2 – Monday, March 8 – Hanmer Springs – Westport – Nelson

• Overview: Heading from Hanmer Springs to Westport to Nelson.
• Distance: 448 kms
• 7-9am: Breakfast at Hanmer Primary School
• Reefton: Wikipedia, Map
• Westport: Map
• Location Summary: Westport was first a gold town and then a coal town. Scenic highlights include old coal towns, gold mining relics, forest hikes and coastal walks. There is a seal colony nearby at Cape Foulwind. Depending on the season, there can be up to 100 New Zealand fur seals in the vicinity.
• Bash hints: The transit through the Lewis Pass on the way to Westport is spectacular. Despite its name Cape Foulwind is definitely worth a visit!
• Nelson: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: Nelson is an entertaining city in many ways. From a cultural point of view, it provides the chance to appreciate New Zealand art, both in galleries and in artists’ studios. Nelson is also appealing from a lifestyle point of view. There are wineries scattered around the Moutere Hills and the Waimea Plains.
• Bash hints: Nelson could be a ‘SUPER’ city
• Dinner: Nelson Yacht Club, dress casual.

Day 3 – Tuesday, March 9 – Nelson – Farewell Spit – Takaka

• Overview:
• Distance: 219 kms
• 7;8:15am: Breakfast Nelson McDonalds, where Waimea College’s Special Education unit will receive a Sunshine Coach
• Morning: The Bash will take its special type of magic to 1100 children in the Nelson schools. We’ll have lunch at a school
• Farewell Spit: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: Situated at the extreme northern tip of the South Island, Farewell Spit stretches more than 30 kilometers into the Tasman Sea and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Maori name for the spit is Onetahua, meaning ‘heaped up sand’.
• Bash hints: The NZ Bash has never visited the spit so this could be a first!!
• Takaka: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: Takaka is located at the south eastern end of Golden Bay in the Nelson region. With a community that includes many alternative lifestylers, it’s a town full of character.
  Other nearby attractions include the Waikoropupu Springs which is the largest freshwater spring in New Zealand.
• Bash hints: A picture paints a thousand words!!
• Dinner: on Pohara Beach

Day 4 – Wednesday, March 10 – Takaka – Blenheim – Picton

• Overview:
• Distance: 284 kms (making 1,085 kms on the South Island)
• Morning: Breakfast at Pohara Community Hall. After visiting more Nelson schools, the Bash heads to Picton.
• 3.00pm – 3.30pm: Picton street parade and grant presentation
• 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Picton locals are encouraged to come to the foreshore to Meet the Bashers and see the vehicles up close.
• Picton: Wikipedia, Map
• Blenheim: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: Blenheim is situated in the heart of wine-growing Marlborough.
  It is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand with an estimated average of 2,438 hours of sunshine a year.
  There are more than 20 wineries within driving distance of the town, and most of them welcome visitors for sampling sessions and cellar door sales.
• Bash hints: It just wouldn’t be right not to sample some of the local produce
• Location Summary: Marlborough Sounds is a collection of ancient sunken river valleys filled with the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Forested hills rise steeply from the sea around an intricate coastline of sheltered inlets and sandy bays.
• Bash hints: Magnificent scenery but it’s a long, windy road
• Dinner: at Brancott Winery in Blenheim

Day 5 – Thursday, March 11 – Picton – Wellington – Masterton

• Overview:
• Distance: 172 kms
• Morning: Very early ferry to Wellington, with breakfast on board. Lunch and grant presentations in Wellington.
• 11:20am: Wellingtonians are encouraged to make their way to the ferry terminal to see the fun of the Bash arrive in the capital city
• Lunch: will be at Westpac Stadium with 100 children from 10 Wellington schools. The Bash will make grant presentations to deserving Wellington children.
• Wellington: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: Wellington is the political capital of New Zealand. The city is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot. Shopping, cafes, transport, accommodation and the city’s major attractions are compressed into an area that’s conveniently walkable.
• Bash hints: We might just have time for a quick coffee
• Masterton: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: Masterton is the largest town in Wairarapa region. Traditionally, Masterton has been a service centre for farmers, but these days its proximity to the Wairarapa wine industry is gradually changing the character of the town.
• Bash hints: A different kind of breakfast potentially!!
• Dinner: at Copthorne Hotel and Resort: theme is Stars in Your Eyes. Lip-sync night.

Day 6 – Friday, March 12 – Masterton – Wanganui

• Overview:
• Distance: 179 kms
• Early breakfast at the Tui Brewery
• Morning: the Bash will visit over 1500 children in Palmerston North.
• Lunch: will be at the Ohakea Air Base where children from Bulls, Clifton and Sanson Primary Schools will greet the Bashers on arrival.
• Afternoon: is dedicated to school visits in Marton
• Wanganui:: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: One of New Zealand’s largest provincial cities, Palmerston North has an attractive historic heart. Many of the original stores (built in the 1920s and 1930s) have been restored and now function as boutiques, cafés and restaurants.
• Bash hints: The propellers on this windmill could indicate a different kind of lunch!!
• Dinner: at Woolshed, theme Sheilas and Shearers

Day 7 – Saturday, March 13 – Wanganui – Chateau

• Overview:
• Distance: 327 kms
• Morning: Early start, then Bashers will make a lasting difference to the Whanganui community with community projects at Aranui and Fordell schools.
• Bayview Chateau, Tongariro: Wikipedia, Map, Official Site
• Location Summary: Whakapapa Village is located at the base of the access road to Whakapapa ski field on the western side of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano. The settlement is dominated by the elegant Chateau Tongariro, a large heritage hotel that was built in 1929. The Mount Ruapehu Bayview Chateau Tongariro is one of the most luxurious hotels in New Zealand.
• Bash hints: A dinner with a difference at this magnificent venue steeped in Bash history
• Dinner: at the Chateau. Awards night. Formal attire or team uniform.

Day 8 – Sunday, March 14 – Chateau – Auckland

• Overview:
• Distance: 339 kms (making that 1,017 kms on the North Island, plus the 1,085 kms on the South Island, making a total of 2,102 kms on the trip, an easy pace most days!)
• Morning: Breakfast at the Chateau.
  The Bash travels through Mangakino and Cambridge on its way to lunch in Gordonton where it will make grant presentations to deserving children.
  Along the way will be lunch and a funstop (likely to be wet).
• Cambridge: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: The pretty country town of Cambridge is located in the heart of the Waikato horse breeding district. It has lovely tree lined streets and many well preserved heritage buildings. If you’re fond of horses, you’ll like it here.
• Bash hints: Supporting our locally based teams!!
• 4:30pm: Crossing finish-line at Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), where it will distribute over $90,000 of grants.
• Auckland: Wikipedia, Map
• Location Summary: Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping – you’re beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Auckland’s blend of harbour, islands, Polynesian culture and modern city environment has created a lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world.
• Bash hints: Our final night function is likely to be a technological marvel!!
• Dinner: at MOTAT – final awards.

During the 2010 Bash, Variety will be distributing over $230,000 in grants to sick, disabled and disadvantaged Kiwi kids.

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