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 located in Cathedral
Square. This map showcases the best cafes, restaurants and
wineries to visit along your itinerary.
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, and then head to Okuku
Country Estate for afternoon tea and a tour of the historic
house and garden. 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.
Check into five-star, eco-friendly Claremont County Estate for
the night, built in 1866 from hand-cut limestone, one of
Canterbury's truly authentic homesteads. Enjoy dinner surrounded by
acres of delightful, manicured flowered gardens and fruit
trees.
Consider taking a memorable Land Rover Safari at
Claremont, before heading back to Christchurch
tomorrow. Or if you have more time, 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.