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Hurunui Township Snippets

Check out the online community directory CINCH for information about clubs, community organisations and continuing education courses in the greater Christchurch area, including Hurunui.

 

Amberley

Amberley was founded during the 1860s. Today its a rural service town with access to both coastal and inland areas while being on the edge of the Waipara Valley wine region.
Attractions: Good range of B&B and self-contained accommodation. Selection of restaurants and cafés. Golf course, beach walks, Mt Grey scenic walks and coastal tracks, Chamberlain Park, boutique shops and a farmers market.

Leithfield

Leithfield village is one of the oldest townships in Canterbury; it was founded in 1857 by John Leith as an important coach stop and to provide services to the surrounding farming and milling area.
Attractions: Historic hotel, cafés, wine shop and gallery, confidence course attraction, paintball activity, the Kowai River Track (for walking or cycling) and beach walks.

Waipara

At the southern gateway to the Hurunui District is one of New Zealand’s finest and most rapidly expanding wine regions. The microclimate, soils and topography of the valley favours full ripeness in both red and white grape varieties.
Attractions: Many cellar doors open to the public, several winery restaurants, luxury and boutique accommodation, olives, lavender and other local produce, vintage railway and walking tracks.

Waikari & Hawarden

Waikari offers panoramic views of the Puketeraki and Kaikoura ranges and is the final stopping point for the Weka Pass Vintage Railway. Hawarden is home to the well known Flaxmere Gardens and is also the gateway to the pristine Lake Sumner Forest Park set in secluded wilderness.
Attractions: Boutique farmstay accommodation, vintage train, cafes, gallery, walking tracks, limestone formations, Maori rock art, farm heritage buildings (5km North of Waikari), high country horse trekking, 4WD drive tours, garden visits, golf course, fishing, tramping, Lake Sumner Forest Park and a community museum.

Hurunui 

Located south of Culverden and bordering the Hurunui River. On the north side of the Hurunui River is the huge Balmoral Forest with its sheltered camping and picnic areas. On the south side is the Hurunui Hotel, built in 1868 to accommodate weary drovers, and is now a historic landmark in North Canterbury and a great place for refreshments.
Attractions: historic Hurunui hotel, farm heritage buildings, Hurunui River and Balmoral Forest Reserve.

Culverden

Culverden was established following the arrival of the railway in 1886. Set in the middle of the wide Amuri Basin, it’s a delightful country town and a common stopping point for travellers seeking a rural New Zealand experience. Each October is time for the Christmas Country Fete showcasing arts, crafts, food and wine in a garden party atmosphere.
Attractions: cafés, playground and reserves, golf course, high country multi-day walking track (inland and south of Culverden), craft shops.

Hanmer Springs

Situated in a high country basin the alpine village of Hanmer Springs is a natural place to unwind amidst clear mountain air and tall trees. Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa is the major draw card and one of New Zealand’s historic visitor attractions. The alpine environment with its forests, rivers and mountains enhance its appeal as the ultimate year round destination.
Attractions: substantial range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes, galleries and boutique shopping. Thermal pools, massage & beauty treatments, forest walks & mountain bike rides. Jet boating, horse treks, quad biking, fishing, rafting, golf course, skiing, scenic flights, bungy jumping and other family activities.

Rotherham & Waiau

The town of Waiau originated in the 1860s and runs alongside the Waiau River, where the village green marks the town’s centre. There is excellent access to salmon and trout fishing. The development of Rotherham as a township followed in 1877. The Amuri Golf Club is located between both townships.
Attractions: range of accommodation from luxury lodges to farm stays, cafes, adventure and fishing tours, golf course, community museum and historic buildings, resident artist studios.

Mt Lyford 

This village is a unique alpine chalet retreat, positioned at the base of the Mount Lyford Ski Field. It provides a picturesque mountain and forest setting, with open spaces and views to the Pacific Ocean. Mt Lyford is also home to New Zealand’s largest log cabin structure.
Attractions: A range of accommodation including log cabins and luxury lodges, café & bar, skiing & boarding, ice-skating, horse trekking, customized 4WD tours, walking and mountain biking.

Cheviot & Gore Bay 

A classic rural town, Cheviot is the centre of a pastoral farming area. In the township there are several cafes, shops, galleries and a museum. Drive the Gore Bay Tourist Drive through the hills, along the surfing beaches of Gore Bay, past the Cathedral Cliffs and relics of historic Port Robinson.
Attractions: A range of accommodation. Cafés, art galleries, craft and retail shops. Gore Bay Tourist Drive, swimming, surfing beaches, scenic reserves, museum, short nature walks & multi-day walking tracks, fishing, golf course and ‘The Cathedrals’ at Gore Bay.

Domett

Just south of Cheviot is Domett, named after Alfred Domett, a past politician and former Premier of New Zealand who emigrated from England to Nelson in 1842. The Mainline Station Café is located in the restored Domett Railway Station (which dates back to 1907) and contains years of authentic New Zealand railway memorabilia.
Attractions: cafe, community market (Sept-April), Gore Bay Tourist Drive, proximity to fishing and beaches.

Greta Valley & Motunau Beach

Greta Valley was created in the late 1970s. Motunau Beach is a popular coastal holiday settlement and a focal point for the local crayfish industry. The beach settlement has expanded over the past 50 years, complementing the many earlier “traditional Kiwi baches” that characterise it.
Attractions: Motunau Beach, Nape Nape, coastal & scenic walks, fishing and diving. A range of accommodation: B&B, self-contained & campground. Café and bar, collector shops and golf course.