Waipara & Nearby

Annie's Loft and Studio offers a wonderful getaway so guests can relax for a night or enjoy several days in spectacular countryside, enjoying the local wineries and restaurants and many nearby North Canterbury attractions.

A unique attraction is The Weka Pass Railway which runs every Sunday in January and alternate Sundays the rest of the year.  The spectacular steam locomotive, 428, built in 1909 is the last one of its kind still working and operates unless there is exceptional fire risk in summer when a diesel locomotive is used instead.

Nowhere in New Zealand is nowhere far from the sea or mountains so short journeys from the Waipara Valley one finds it all. Waipara is less than an 1 hour from Christchurch and is a central point of the Alpine Pacific Triangle being only 90 minutes to Kaikoura (stunning coastal and mountain scenery; whale, dolphin & seal watching) and 1 hour to Hanmer Springs (mountain walks and biking, skiing and thermal pools and spa). At the spectacular Waiau River Bridge, Thrill Seekers Canyon offers bungy jumping, jet boating, river rafting, quad biking, off-road go-cart safaris, wild west paintball and clay bird shooting. Near Leithfield is the Ultimate Challenge Centre with The Beast obstacle course and paintball.

Wine and Food

Most visitors will be keen to visit the Waipara Valley wineries not only for tastings of superb wines but also for excellent food at winery cafes such as Waipara Springs Winery & Café, and Mud House Winery & Café. Pegasus Bay was voted the best winery restaurant in NZ in 2005 and 2008 by Cuisine magazine and the winery was awarded 5 stars by Robert Parker (USA) in 2008.

We are now listed in the North Canterbury Food & Wine Trail

Many local restaurants serve our Waipara River Estate wines. In Waipara, visit the Waipara Hotel, a friendly old style country pub with roaring fire in winter & all year outdoor area. They serve our Waipara River Estate wine & great pub food.

Further afiefld in Oxford is Jo Seager's establishment —a cafe, cooking school, and kitchen shop.

Wine Tasting

Waipara wineries produce award winning wines from several grape varieties – especially riesling, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and gewürztraminer.  Details about tasting openings are on the Waipara Valley Winegrowers website. As well as wineries with cafes, year round tasting is available at: Torlesse Winery; Mt Cass Winery; Daniel Schuster Wines; Terrace Edge.

Not to be missed is the annual Waipara Wine and Food festival, on Saturday 6th March 2010 in the beautiful leafy grounds of the Glenmark Church, Church Rd, Waipara.

In summer visit the Waipara Valley Farmers market which is held Saturdays in front of the Hurunui District Council, Amberley.

Food

Nearby Amberley has several food options: the Nor’Wester Café – award winning restaurant; Karma Café – Thai restaurant; Railway Tavern Restaurant; Brew Moon Café -  boutique beer; Spoon Café; Woolshed Café (at Amberley Hotel); Pukeko Junction at Leithfield opens for lunch. There is an excellent bakery in Amberley.

Golf

The Amberley Golf Club (email) –18 hole links course at Amberley Beach, about 15 minutes drive away welcomes visitors. Fees are very modest. Turn down Beach Road, Amberley. Go right to the end & turn left, then go as far as you can until you come to the Golf Links.

For other charming country golf clubs (9 holes) within 30 minutes drive see: World Golf.

Fishing

Enjoy trout and salmon fishing in wild rivers such as the Hurunui and Waiau or take a fishing charter off the coast from Motunau Beach, about 20 minutes North East from Waipara. Fish species: blue cod, kingfish, albacore tuna, groper, trumpeter, ling, sea perch shark, crayfish. More Info.

Motunau beach is great for finding fossils which emerge from cliffs. Also see the endangered Little Blue Penguins who frequent the shore and river.

Nature Walks

Two splendid walks are on Mt Cass (closed August – September during lambing.)

Mt Cass Walkway - a moderately steep 2-3 hour walk to the lookout at the top of Mt Cass.

Tiromoana Bush Walkway - from Mt Cass to the coast - about 3hours return. This walk has a bit of everything, and offers rewards for people at many levels.