"Basically, I'm a pathetic wimp who hates high places - especially when there's water down below. It's not the water I'm afraid of though - it's the ridiculous distance you have to fall to get to it."

"When you're racing toward a rock wall at 90 kilometres per hour in just 6 inches of water, you can be forgiven for screaming. That's the deal when you leap aboard the Thrillseekers Jet, near Hanmer Springs. Me? I'm a speed junkie, so I ALWAYS love jet boats"

"If you're about to visit New Zealand - or even if you live here - and you want to test yourself on one of our famous outdoor adventures, then head for the little alpine town of Hanmer Springs in the Hurunui and Thrillseekers Rafting. This mild-mannered Grade 2 adventure is the perfect answer for those of you who are not quite ready for a nail-biting, teeth-gritting Grade 5 white water adventure."

"When I called in at the Nor'Wester Cafe in Amberley recently, I was quick to pounce on information about the proposed Hurunui Cycling and Walking Trail, a vision for a network of trails for pedestrians and cyclists, covering the Hurunui District. Friends of the Trail is a group that has been set up to promote the trail within the local community and to people passionate about cycling and walking."

"My first NZ camping trip! Went camping in Gore Bay on the East coast, just a two hour drive from Christchurch. Gore Bay is a tiny bay, with a scattering of holiday homes and a small campsite. Its has a beautiful, long sandy beach and is the perfect place for a relaxing weekend away."

"We went to Hanmer Springs spa. Very nice - lots of pools with varying minerals. 2 were purely natural waters - very hot - 41 degrees! couldn't stay in long but it was lovely. All very relaxing - well for me anyway. Dave was OK at first but then got bored - not ball games allowed!! I would definitely recommend a trip. It's not expensive either."

"Jason did another paddle with the Christchurch club on the Hurunui River (Jollie Brook & Maori Gully). We camped the night before at the put in and got devoured by sand flies but it was free!"

"Tadaa~~ The first stop that we made was at Waipara Springs vineyard. It's only 40 minutes drive north of Christchurch. The weather was perfect and I loved it so much. We Canterburians have been lacking Vit D this summer. In fact, we are lucky if we get to wear short sleeves in the middle of the day!"

"We arrived in Hanmer in time to join the white-water rafting trip we had wanted to try. The river was more mellow, only being a class 2, which was perfect for me. We watched a couple people bungie jumping off the massive river bridge (no, thank you) as this location called Thrillseekers Canyon offered many trips and potential ways to hurt or kill yourself."

"so now as i lull myself bedwise let me tell you about "waipara sleepers". its a train-themed backpackers where the dorms are railway cars. there is a giant chess set, and a tiny - avery sized - cage for to put small children in to play with the toys inside. the toilet/shower block has a sweet jasmine growing at the entrance, and shade-loving tropical plants inside."