5 minute read
Waimakariri District Must-Do's
OXFORD MUST-DO'S
Oxford Sign © Visit Waimakariri
Advertisement
Oxford Farmers’ Market
Every Sunday, local producers gather to sell their wares at this traditional authentic farmers’ market. Open year round, 9am-12pm.
Oxford Museum
Delving into Oxford's rural past, the museum preserves a superb collection of historic items and farming equipment which represent the lives and times of a bygone era.
Kowhai Horse Treks
Groom and tack up your horse, then jump on the saddle for countryside treks saturated in Canterbury Plains’ views. Free transfers from Oxford when you book a full-day tour.
Emma’s at Oxford
A charming store bursting with all that is new and niche in the world of books and must-buy curios. An addictive medley of keepsakes that you will want to pore over.
Top Oxford Eateries
Head to Cruisy Day Diners for that 1950s vibe or Sheffield Pie Shop to taste their award-winning pies.
Oxford Forest Conservation Area
Oxford Conservation Park © Visit Waimakariri
Scribbled with a variety of hiking tracks, trails range from a few hours to overnight, snaking through tangled forest. Treat yourself with a dip in the Ryde Falls, a five-tired waterfall.
Ashley Gorge Holiday Park
Not far from Oxford is this scenic holiday park nestled in the foothills on the side of the Ashley River. Great for a day trip or longer. Take your togs, pack up the kids, throw in the dog and take a picnic.
WAIKUKU MUST-DO'S
Waiuku Wetland, near Waiuku Beach © AATP
Old School Collective
Once a schoolhouse, now a complex of bespoke stores, artisans and studios, drop in for treasures of every type, as well as good coffee and great company.
Waikuku Beach
Book in at the beachside holiday park and you’ll be able roll on to the sand from your sleeping bag. At night, enjoy a starlit walk on the beach.
Sand Sculpture Competition
Every January, Waikuku Beach hosts this incredible event. See some seriously talented sculptors at work.
MUST-DO WAIMAKARIRI TRAILS
Jump on your bike and explore the cycle trails of Waimakariri. This stunning district offers a network of fun, family friendly trails that connects contemporary towns with beautiful braided rivers, wide open sandy beaches and expansive rural landscapes.
Wharfedale Track
Enjoy this 15km cycle trail that is accessed fromthe View Hill car park, 14km from Oxford. The track sidles and gently climbs through beech forest to the saddle downhill to the Wharfedale Hut.
Rakahuri Trail
Keen cyclists will want to give this 18km one-way cycle trail a go. With access from the northern end of the East Belt in Rangiora, this fun trail runs alongside the Ashley Rakahuri River, farmland and willow trees with pockets of native bush.
Tūtaepatu Trail
This 5km one-way top cycle trail can be accessed from Kiwi Ave, Waikuku Beach and will take you to a spring-fedfresh water wildlife sanctuary with stunning flora and fauna.
Pegasus Trail
This 10.5km one way ride will take you through the beach settlement of Pines/Kairaki into the forest to Woodend Beach.
RANGIORA MUST-DO'S
Cycling in Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park © Visit Waimakariri
Matawai Park
Hiding in plain sight, this central Rangiora park is a great place to enjoy a walk, barbecue or picnic, with plenty of green space to let the kids loose.
Northbrook Wetlands
A string of three lakes makes a peaceful oasis for ducks and swans, while the 1.5km circuit pathway facilitates walkers and cyclists, with picnic tables to boot.
Away with the Fairies
Cust is a sleepy, rural village 20 minutes inland from Rangiora and home to an enchanting fairy, bear and patchwork shop. An emporium of collectible teddies, fairy clothes, Tinkerbell houses and haberdashery, it’s magic stitched by craft needle. Done and Dusted and Route 72 Emporium are a couple of other shops with a difference that are worth a visit.
Rangiora Bakery
Established in 1860, the accolades have come thick and fast ever since. Partnered with Artisan Café, follow your nostrils to (arguably) the best baked goods in Canterbury. Visitors can peek behind the scenes with the café’s theatre baking, chef zone and cake decorating area.
Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park
Enjoy a brisk walk or cycle on paths skimming the river’s edge and weaving through forests. You can get from Rangiora to Waikuku.
High-end Boutiques
Shop up a storm in Rangiora’s laneways and pretty main street.
GLENTUI MUST-DO'S
CANYONING
Tui canyon slices through dense forest here, perfect or rambles, scrambles, swims and abseiling. Meet the guides from Canyoning Christchurch in Glentui and embark on a three-hour adventure.
MT THOMAS TRACKS
Forty minutes from Glentui, tramps range from a few hours to everal, weaving through native forest. Far-reaching views of the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula will impress.
KAIAPOI MUST-DO'S
River Perks
Pretty river town Kaiapoi boasts two beautiful rivers passing through it, allowing for jet boat rides, river walks, bike rides and fishing. Jump aboard the Kaiapoi River Queen paddle steamer to cruise the river in vintage style or catch a ride on New Zealand’s only air boat with Alpine Jet Thrills.
Kaiapoi River Queen © ChristchurchNZ
Alpine Jet Thrills
Zip up and down Waimakariri River by jet boat or air boat. Skilled drivers thrill passengers with 360-degree spins and detailed insight into the area’s history, nature and beautiful braided river.
Fishing
The Waimakariri River is a top salmon and trout fishery so come and hook yourself a large one at the river’s mouth. Whitebaiting is also popular on the lower reaches of the river.
Kaiapoi Museum
There’s enough preserved history from Kaiapoi and surrounds in this little museum to ensure you smash every Kaiapoi-related pub quiz here on in. Entry is free. Kaiapoi Museum is housed within the modern Ruataniwha Civic Centre, where you’ll also find the Art on Quay art gallery
Kaiapoi Lakes Reserve
The eastern-most lake is a breeding ground for rare water birds while the south-western lake offers a peaceful recreation area for kayakers, picnic lovers and walkers.
Kaiapoi Letterbox
Find a series of higgledy-piggledy red-letter boxes sculptured by Mark Larsen to reflect 1049 homes destroyed by the 2010 earthquake.
Kaiapoi Island
Part of the Waimakariri River Regional Park and a haven of outdoor pursuits. There are several shared tracks for cycling and walking as well as fishing and swimming spots. This is one island you can drive, walk or ride straight in.
Blackwell’s Department Store
This time-honoured establishment has been in Kaiapoi since 1871. Opposite the store is a small new shopping precinct punching above its weight.
