Christchurch day trip to Hurunui region, North Canterbury

Extraordinary landscapes, wine and food trail and great outdoors

EARLY MORNING (SATURDAY ONLY)

Brunch at a weekend market is a great start to the day. Amberley Farmers Market represents local growers from the Waipara Region.

• Sandy Mac’s home brewed sauces and condiments
• Little Farm Goat Dairy, Toggenburg goats deliver mature cheese and freshly bottled goat milk
• Belcairn Cordials made from organically grown flowers and herbs the old-fashioned way
• Black garlic and saffron by Dunsinane’s Black Garlic
• Stoney Shed authentic artisan breads
• Olives, hazelnuts, herbalists, confectionary creators, meaty sausages and delicious piping hot coffee to go.

Every Saturday from 9.30 to early afternoon Amberley hosts a farmers market where visitors get to chat to the growers marketing their wares.

@LittleFarmCheese @balcairncordials

SUNDAY MORNINGS (AMBERLEY FARMERS MARKET SUBSTITUTE)

• Little Vintage Express is a well known local favourite with rustic mismatched furniture and communal spaces offers visitors an imaginative cafe style menu showcasing local ingredients. Growers are identified and the menu caters for all tastes and food groups. What’s more adorable than the Easter closing notice facebook photo

@LittleVintageEspresso @LittleVintageEspresso

A perfect replacement for missing the Amberley Farmers market. And the kids get to ride the train

TIP

Market fans check if your new favs have producer shops at their premises or if they frequent Woodend Farmers Market.

DURATION – ALL MORNING

@amberleyfarmersmarket.org.nz

Steam train passing Frog Rock, Canterbury, South Island

GOT THE KIDS WITH YOU

• Ride the Weka Pass railway. Weka Pass railway has vintage steam puffing coal fired engines and diesel-electric locomotives. The volunteers who form the Weka Pass Railway warmly welcome you aboard. Excursion trips, hauled by both vintage steam and diesel-electric locomotives, over 12.8 km of scenic line through the unique limestone beauty of the Weka Pass.

NOTE

The train service is occasional as it is run entirely by volunteers. Check Weka Pass railway for up to date information.

DURATION 1 ½ HOURS

LATE MORNING

GORE BAY TOURIST DRIVE

• Tear yourself away from the market treats, make sure you’ve got your goodie bag stocked up and you’re off on the Gore Bay tourist route to view Cathedral rock badlands siltstone eroded cliffs that would not look out of place in the badlands of Montana. Gore Bay beach is a local surfing hangout especially for newbies as it is one of New Zealand’s safer surfing beaches. While the kids go fossicking for shells snack on your goodie bag and finish the delicious coffee on the go. There are public toilets nearby.

DURATION: 1 HOUR

Route map

Gore Bay’s Cathedrals Sunset

Gore Bay

EARLY AFTERNOON

WALKING TRACKS GORE BAY

• Explore the Department of Conservation track along the cliff-tops between Gore Bay and the Hurunui River mouth on the Port Robinson Walkway 3km (one way) track with its cliff top views. St Anne’s lagoon is a birding hot spot

DURATION 2+ HOURS

WINE & FOOD TRAIL BUFFS – PEGASUS BAY WINERY

• Stunning architecture greets visitors with turrets, high pitched roofs and extensive gardens. The terracotta buildings are nestled in cultivated manicured gardens complete with ponds, bridges and inviting private garden spaces where couples can relish the moment. The vineyards, winery and restaurant are the labour of the Donaldson family whose passion for wine is evident.

DURATION 2+ HOURS

@Pegasus Bay Winery @Pegasus Bay Winery

LATE AFTERNOON

Time to wend your way back to Christchurch however if you have been checking out what to do and see in the Hurunui region you can be forgiven for taking an impromptu detour to parts newly discovered.

DURATION RETURN TO CHRISTCHURCH – approximately 1 ½ hours depending on location.

Hurunui river in Southern Alps

Unique journeys, personal adventures.