New Zealand
> Canterbury > Hurunui
To the north of
Christchurch the Hurunui district is a popular destination. The
district with the small towns of Amberley, Cheviot, Culverden,
Waikari, Waipara and Hanmer has a wide
range of outdoor and leisure activities varying from mountain walks,
skiing, thermal bathing, river sports, swimming, surfing and
fishing. Mt Lyford is a popular ski
area and Lake Taylor is a quiet
retreat.
Amberley:
35 - 45 minutes north from Christchurch Amberley is a service
centre of this north Canterbury farming region. For motorists it is
a fuel and refreshment stop and the nearby beach is wind swept and
stony, but popular for fishing and has a campground and nature
reserve.
Cheviot:
115 KM form Christchurch, the Cheviot area stretches between the
Hurunui River in the South to the Conway River in the North. On
State Highway one, the township of Cheviot is well known for it’s cafe’s
which provide an important refreshment stop for travelers. There is
a
museum and 12 hole golf course. The Hurunui and Waiau Rivers are
easily accessible for salmon, trout and white bait fishing.
Kaikoura is an hours drive to the north.
Culverden:
An hour and a half drive 97 km) from
Christchurch, Culverden is situated on the flat plain of the Amuri
basin and is a service centre of this north Canterbury farming area.
For motorists it is a fuel and refreshment stop. Speed infringement
fines are a major source of income for the area. There is some
home/farm stay accommodation and there are some walks in the near by
hills.
Gore Bay & Port Robinson:
Gore Bay pictured right provides excellent swimming in summer
and is popular with surfers year around. Signposted from the Cheviot
town centre and from SH1 at
Dommet, Gore bay makes for a detour of highway one. At the
southern end of the bay is an area of erosion known as the
Cathedrals. There are two campgrounds and a few B & B's.
Port Robinson was in the late 1800's the principal port for the export of North
Canterbury produce. It is also the name of the coastal walkway from
Gore Bay to the Hurunui river mouth, (7k or 3 - 5 hours walk).
Waikari:
A small rural township on highway 6 at the end of the historic Weka Pass
Railway (from Waipara) with cafe's and some accommodation. Turn off
here to take the
scenic drive to Hawarden and further inland to Lake Sumner, Loch Katrine,
Lake Sheppard, Lake Taylor and Lake
Mason where there is some excellent walking trails with fishing and hunting
opportunities with freedom camping. Visitors
should contact the local
Department of Conservation to find out more
details about access and weather conditions before travelling to the
lakes.
Waipara:
This
relatively new viticultural area lying 45k to the
north of Christchurch was first planted in vines in
the early 1980’s. The low rainfall and long,
hot, dry days (sheltered from the Pacific’s cool
easterly breezes) aid the ripening of the principal
grapes grown - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling,
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The soil,
predominantly of limestone origin, is excellent for
these varieties. The Waipara food and wine festival is held annually
in March.
Waipara is also the road junction where highway 6 to Hanmer,
Lewis Pass, Westland and Nelson intersects.
Drive Guide
