Follow the North Canterbury Food & Wine
Trail shared between Hurunui, Kaikoura and Waimakariri
Districts and indulge yourself. Waimakariri, in North Canterbury, is also a
place to go to experience a tranquil country lifestyle destination,
and be warmly welcomed by the people who will share their place
with visitors.
Day 1, Christchurch to Waimakariri
Prior to leaving Christchurch, get the North Canterbury
Food & Wine Trail map available at the Christchurch
i-Site Visitor Centre. This map will showcases the best cafes,
restaurants and wineries to visit along your itinerary.
Your first stop is Melton Estate, located in West Melton (to
west of Christchurch City off SH1 South and SH73 West) just a 20
minute drive from the Christchurch CBD and a great place to sample
you first taste of Canterbury wine (note - Melton Estate is not on
the NCF&WT Map).
Drive all the way to Springfield and experience
an iconic New Zealand attraction - the Alpine Jet.
Travel to Oxford for lunch at the famous Seagars at
Oxford Café & Cooking School. Enjoy wandering around town
through boutique stores. If you stay the night, indulge in
dinner of local organic produce, and a swim and spa in the indoor
facility.
Day 2, Waipara Valley
Perhaps the area's best-kept secret is Karikaas
Cheese - taste their award-winning cheeses at this
boutique countryside factory. This factory is located on the
outskirts of Rangiora.
Then continue to the Waipara Valley, one of the
country's newest and most rapidly expanding wine areas. Here you
are spoiled for choice in terms of wineries, we highly
recommend:
- Pegasus
Bay Winery was founded by the Donaldson family, pioneers of
local grape growing and wine making. Originally from Prague, Daniel
Schuster's own New Zealand Winery is born out of his 25 years of
international winemaking experience.
- The Mud House Winery and
Café offers creative cuisine and a warm, friendly
atmosphere.
Head north to Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura. The second
boasts the Kaikoura Winery, where the main
reception building is sited on the edge of a limestone cliff
looking out on the larger Kaikoura landscape.
Being New Zealand's largest independent car rental company, Apex
Car Rentals offers a large fleet of new and late model car hire
options. Contact Apex
for car rental information and booking.