Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Waipara Hills
WINERY, CAFE $$$
(
www.waiparahillswines.co.nz
;
780 Glasnevin Rd (SH1); mains $23-27; tastings 10am-5pm, res-
taurant 10am-3pm)
Hard to miss in an impressive edifice immediately south of Waipara,
this winery produces an excellent Gewürztraminer, as well as the more common valley
varietals. The cafe serves leisurely lunches on the terrace, and in summer the winery
hosts occasional big-name concerts (see
www.adayonthegreen.com.au
).
Waipara Springs
WINERY, CAFE $$$
(
www.waiparasprings.co.nz
;
SH1; mains $20-27; 11am-5pm; )
Slightly north of Waipara
township, this is one of the valley's oldest vineyards. The attached cafe serves platters
and bistro-style lunches.
Pegasus Bay
RESTAURANT, WINERY $$$
$$$
( 03-314 6869;
www.pegasusbay.com
;
Stockgrove Rd; mains $38-45; restaurant noon-4pm,
tastings 10am-5pm)
It's fitting that Waipara Valley's premier winery should have the love-
liest setting and one of Canterbury's best restaurants. Beautiful gardens set the scene but
it's the contemporary NZ menu that steals the show, taking advantage of superb local
produce and recommending wines to match.
Getting There & Away
The
Coastal Pacific
train from Christchurch to Picton stops at Waipara. Wine tours are
available from several Christchurch-based companies.
Springs ($20, 50 minutes) and Christchurch ($20, 1¼ hours).
Hanmer Springs ($20), Christchurch city centre ($15) and Christchurch Airport ($25).
hours), Blenheim (from $22, four hours), Kaikoura (from $13, 1¾ hours) and Christch-
urch (from $10, one hour) twice daily.
CENTRAL CANTERBURY
While the dead-flat agricultural heartland of the Canterbury Plains blankets the majority
of the region, there's plenty of interest for travellers in the west, where the Southern Alps
soar to snowy peaks. Here you'll find Canterbury's best ski fields and some brilliant wil-
derness walks.
