Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
serves here are quite substantial. The upmarket ambience befits the prices; the paper nap-
kins don't.
Monteith's Brewery Bar
(
www.mbbh.co.nz
;
47 Amuri Ave; 9am-11pm)
The best pub in town features lots of different
Monteith's beers and tasty tucker from cooked breakfasts ($12 to $17), to bar snacks ($10
to $17) to full meals ($23 to $35). Live musicians kick off from 4pm Sundays.
PUB
Information
10am-5pm)
Books trans-
Hurunui i-SITE
(
03-315 0000;
www.visithanmersprings.co.nz
; 42 Amuri Ave;
port, accommodation and activities.
Getting There & Away
The
main bus stop
is near the corner of Amuri Ave and Jacks Pass Rd.
Hanmer Connection
( 0800 242 663;
www.hanmerconnection.co.nz
;
one way/return $30/50)
Daily bus to/
from Christchurch via Waipara and Amberley.
Hanmer Tours & Shuttle
( 03-315 7418;
www.hanmertours.co.nz
)
Runs shuttles to/from Waipara
($20), Amberley ($20), Christchurch city centre ($30) and Christchurch Airport ($40).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Waipara Valley
Conveniently stretched along SH1 near the Hanmer Springs turn-off, this resolutely rural
area makes for a tasty pitstop en route to Christchurch. The valley's warm dry summers
followed by cool autumn nights have proved a winning formula for growing grapes,
olives, hazelnuts and lavender. Since vines were planted in 1982, it has swiftly built its
reputation as a producer of riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir, and the valley's wineries
now produce over 250,000 cases annually.
To explore the valley's bounty fully, pick up a copy of the Waipara Valley Map (or
download it from
www.waiparawine.co.nz
) or visit
www.foodandwinetrail.co.nz
.
Other-
wise, you'll spot several of the big players from the highway. The area's two main towns
