Beautiful landscape of the French Bay. Passing rain . Spotted some Lupins as it is end of winter. Awesome 😎.

Beautiful view of the bay. I visited in October and found a lot of purple flowers next to the light house.

Perfect place for a sunset . No wait time ,but to get inside the light house you might need an entry ticket .

Great location, tours available on Saturday and Sundays, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Great view of the bay.

Such a beautiful place 🥰 will definitely come back again when I visit Christchurch ❤️

$5 entrance fee between 1-3 pm in weekend. Nice photo point after 3 p.

Great walk to the lighthouse. Very close to the main center. This an amazing lighthouse, it really captures all the features of a lighthouse. It has inspired me to build my own lighthouse but I am not too sure. Wonderful views and many tourists. The hike is great. Everyone should see this who is able to.

What an amazing space. Thirty years in the making and the vision of a single person. We were there in early September so it was pretty quiet; just small family groups there which meant it felt more private and intimate. I'm sure it gets really busy in peak season.

Wow! Ok so this place is absolutely amazing. We loved looking around the beautiful garden, there is so much to look at. The sculptures are incredible, I took so many cool photos here and I really want to go back. A maze of mosaics!

Loved visiting the Giant's House! Had never been before and am so glad we went. It is a whimsical place that astounds you with the sheer scale of it. It's hard to fathom it is the work of primarily one person. If you go to Akaroa, go to The Giant's House!

Without being hyperbolic , I found my happiest place in the world. It entirely captured the whole essence of my heart and soul with its colour and whimsy. Josie Martin is a creative genius and what a gift to be able to visit her home.

This is an amazing place for everyone to visit! So artistic with beautiful flowers and plants! Definitely come back again with my friends and family🥰

We had a wonderful time, just strolling through the lovely gardens and discovering the beautiful and quirky sculptures on the various levels of the garden. Could easily spend hours here just chilling out and people watching

My visit to the Giants House made for a happy day for me, and surprisingly my husband. We both thoroughly enjoyed it and found it inspiring. I’m a mosaic artist and horticulturist and my husband is now supportive of my creating mosaic pathways and seating areas around our property. We loved Josie Martin’s peaceful gardens and beautiful quirky creations. So much creative and happy energy in the exceptionally designed, healthy and colorful gardens. We enjoyed visiting the gallery as well. The mosaics and gardens are even more impressive than the pics show. Josie’s gardens and art are truly a treasure no one should miss.

I have been to the Banks Peninsula several times, from day trips to nights. The best experience I have ever had is sleeping in the car and waking up on the bay in the morning to see the scenery.

I just like this place and I like to drive through the beautiful scenery. We ended up in Akaroa, which is one of our favorite places. Stop by the river and take a look at this lovely town.

it was a Beautiful View wonderful place to Visit on School camp

Great gravel road with great scenery.

This place is too beautiful. Please don't visit. It will put you off all other places.

Stunning view everywhere. This is an amazing peninsula and not far away from Christchurch. If you want to stop your car and take photos please be aware of the traffic. The road is not flat. I drove my car from Chuistchurch to the small town Akaroa in the early morning and enjoyed the view of Sunrise. It is really beautiful and peaceful. I believe you will love the drive. Cheers

Beautiful hiking trails, wildlife, green fields , the cliffs. I enjoyed hiking this area. New Zealand is my favorite country to visit, wish I could move there.

Great little Zoo. Spacious and uncrowded when we went as it was a weekday. The best experience was being able to feed the Giraffe's for free, I have never been to a zoo that offered this. The food and hot chocolates at the Cafe were super tasty and had plenty to choose from. Also the family ticket includes up to 3 children which is so great for families.

So cool! Good value for money! Had a shuttle if you didn't feel like walking. Lots of cool animals to see. Even got to feed the giraffes! Very ethical place no forcing the animals to interact it's all on there terms. Plenty of very friendly staff and awesome guides.

I purchased the year pass for me and my 3 yr old Grandson and loving it. Very different from Willowbank as so big and spread out but we always have a great time and takes us around 3 hours or more. Sometimes weve had great lion Roaring visit other times its the monkeys 🐒 or feeding the 🦒 🦒 🦒 Next visit aiming for the farmyard feeding and the playground is always fun. The cafe seems quiet and we end up always spending ages in the gift shop as brilliant array of things.

It was nice to go there around 1 o'clock on the weekend because it wasn't that crowded! If you go see the animals in time for feeding on the map, you can see many animals such as rhinos and giraffes right in front of your eyes, so families with children will be even better. I bought a ticket online in advance that day, and it was cheaper, so I was satisfied👍

Went there few weeks ago and had very good experience. The staff was very helpful at the start by giving all the info with a map. There are primes available near reception if you have kid with you. We enjoyed our time seeing the animal. There was a bit disappointment for not seeing few of them as they are in large place surrounded with trees. But overall it was a very nice experience , our daughter loved it! Highly recommended!

Well worth a visit here, spacious and the animals have lots of room. Which can make them more difficult to see, of course. was hoping to see the African Painted Dogs but they only showed their heads above the grass briefly. The Gorillas and Keas made up for it.

The zoo isn’t very big, but you get to see animals that are unique to New Zealand, including the kea. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a kiwi! The food inside the park is surprisingly good big portions and really tasty. The pumpkin soup is a must-try.

Great rail journey! Super helpful staff, great seating and very comfortable. There had been heavy rain the day before which meant less snow on the ground, but even so, spectacular scenery. Highly recommend!

If I could, I'd give this scenic train line hundreds of stars. I had to stop off for a bourbon on my way back to the hotel because it just blew my mind. Train staff were so friendly and not one bend of the track disappointed. I took 2000 photos so that hopefully the experience is emblazoned on my mind.

Loved the journey through the snow capped mountains. In carriage monitors show info on regions being passed through. Staff were really friendly and helpful. Great views from the observation cars. Remember warm clothes if venturing into the observation cars as they are open air.

Great trip on the coastal pacific, don't forget to bring snacks though, the cafe car is good but not great , it can get very busy too. The scenery is great, a must do for train enthusiasts or anyone wanting a relaxing way to see the island and coast.

This very definitely a "bucket list" trip. Outstanding scenery and if you're able to afford to do part or all of your trip in the dining car...then you're in for an absolute treat. Wonderful food, wine and beers to enjoy and exceptional service. Recommended.

I travelled to NZ to do both the TranzAlpine and the Coastal Explorer and I have to say that both of these didn't disapoint. Check in was on point and staff were friendly and helpful. Train itself is very modern with large glass windows, seats are very comfortable and clean. The buffet car is very well stocked and everything is reasonably priced 👍👍. I enjoyed the open air carage at the end of the train where you can feel the freshness as the train climbs through the mountains, this also provides alot of beautiful senic photo opertunitys. I believe that train travel is one of the best ways to see the country side and if you have the opportunity to add this to your travels please do it as you won't regret it.

Part of our tour , we got to take this train from Christchurch to Arthur ‘s Pass .. Buy your tickets in advance, it’s busy and quite popular to do .. there is a locomotive that serves food and drinks , you pay with credit card.. what was Breathtaking, spectacular was the views.. the mountains , some with snowy tops, the rivers and lake with blue-green water .. this a must to do …

It is a popular tourist attraction in Christchurch. It's 1,000 metres (1,100 yd) in length, and from the summit it is possible to see across the city of Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps in the north and west, and down into Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula in the south and east. You can get here by car (about 20 mins drive) and park free at the base station. You can also use public transport to get here. It takes about 20 minutes to get up to the top station. There you will find a restaurant, walking tracks, views of the city, toilets. Very popular place, lots of tourists and locals. Level terrain around the stations though there are stairs at places. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Great place for photography.

A short Gondola ride up to the top of Mnt Cavendish, a great outlook over the city and a view of some sheep in the paddocks below, but it was the view at the top that looks towards Lyttleton Harbour and the city is spectacular! Very smooth ride and not really that high off ground,(I still wouldn't want to fall out, though), but within reach of some with height fears.

Amazing experience, a must do!! The views of Christchurch & Lyttelton are breathtaking!!! Just do it! You can walk around the viewing platform & out to the edge of the hill (with the sheep) see the paragliders take off & soar the skies. Have a coffee beer or bite to eat at the cafe . The Gondola staff are great & it’s a fun experience. Catch the #8 bus for $4 from Christchurch or uber is approximately $24

I could’ve spent the entire day at the summit. Buying a ticket and the price is quite reasonable given the end viewpoints the number of walking trails. Definitely suggest going on a weekday. I visited on a Monday and there was no queue. Keep an eye out for the lamb along the hillside if visiting during lambing season, an adorable bonus!

Better than expected, view is dope, ride is great, super steep. If you have like 6 hours in Christchurch, this is a good 2 hrs. Accessible by bus if you don’t have a car.

Nice place to see the views over the city. Poorly marked trails if you want to hike around at the top. Food was available at the café on top to grab a snack. Pleasant staff. It was interesting to see where the sheep were hanging out in the rocks in the shade.

A great experience. We arrived early and avoided the crowds. Got a bit windy so bring a jacket. The displays and scenery were great.

A truly amazing space! More than just gardens, this is a living ecosystem where you can relax among ancient trees and observe wildlife up close. Depending on the season, you might see young animals near the cafe. The nearby stream is teeming with life like trout and eels, and the bird watching for native species is fantastic. A wonderfully peaceful and inspiring experience.

Really loved this place! Peaceful, tranquil and gorgeous in the spring sunshine. Wished I could have seen it a few weeks earlier as well as I love daffodils but then again the roses weren’t quite out but … the azalea and rhododendron were. So not at all disappointed. Just means I’ll have to visit again!!! Definitely worth a visit it two and walkable from the city centre.

I hadn't visited the gardens in several years and with this visit was pleasantly surprised how wonderful they were. Although I didn't have time to walk around the whole area the parts we did visit looked beautiful, although my partner who is a keen gardener was surprised to see a fair number of weeds, especially in the border gardens. It was a fine day and it was obvious that the gardens are popular with locals and tourists alike. The Peace Train was in action and was filled each time we saw it. we had lunch at the cafe and, despite the crowds, service was quick and the food good. Overall a great experience and I'd recommend a visit to both gardeners and non gardeners alike.

We visited in spring time when the flowers were almost in full bloom. A variety of plants with a number that having travelled from the UK we had not seen before. It’s lovely place to spend an hour to two wandering around. There is an info centre, cafe and shop too. A must do if visiting the city.

One of Ōtautahi/Christchurch's taonga ... a must see for visitors and a beloved place for locals to walk, canoe and picnic. World Peace Bell area is beautiful; Ilex Cafe very nice - though often busy. Carparking off Armagh St Bridge and also off Riccarton Road. ((Photos are World Peace Bell on Parihaka Day 5-Nov-25)

Free to enter. Car parks are present but can be busy. Flat path and very easy to walk. Just a few blocks away from the CBD / Cathedral Square. This is the one the last devastating earthquake could not take away from gorgeous Christchurch. It is connected to surrounding green area and is located in the middle. Streams with clear water flows where people do kayaking. Also there is wide, flat green lawn areas where people could have picnic and there is a mini train for kids. It is a place where people of any age could go and stroll, get fresh air and let busy thoughts that drives us busy go away for a while. There are a few car parks around but not too big for the potential visitors of good Suny weekend. The CBD is now different after the earthquake. I am so happy there is something so beautiful remains!

I visited the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in the morning, and it was such a peaceful and refreshing experience. The sunlight made the flowers look even more beautiful — especially the roses, which were vibrant and full of color. I also enjoyed watching the birds wandering around the lawns, adding a calm and lively touch to the walk.

Amazing exhibitions and 4D showcase. You can see cute little penguins and huskies there. The snow storm simulation is fascinating. If you’re going in group tour and have a staff guide that’d be much more awesome. I personally think they can add more stuff inside to make the entire experience more fruitful.

Took advantage of the 50% ticket price for locals because theres no way i would pay the full price of $74 per adult and $49 for children. Website did say to allow two or three hours but if you were by yourself you could easily get through in an hour. Huskys had set slot times through out the day but we forgot to go back. Couple of small penguins in the enclosure, shame the viewing windows were dirty. Storm dome was good. 4D theater was good. Lots of parking available and a cafe on site. No ques getting in on a week day.

While slightly on the pricier side ($199 NZD for a family of 2 adults and 2 children), the International Antarctic Centre is well worth a visit. From the moment you step into the first area (a giant display of video from Antarctica on three walls), you're transported to a different place and time. Learning about polar exploration from such a long time ago was fascinating, and the experiences were amazing. Seeing the penguins and Huskies was great, the 4D movie was a lot of fun, and the Hägglund experience was an absolute blast. Being able to experience a summer Antarctic storm was also well worth the time (despite being freezing!!). I would 100% recommend visiting the Antarctic Centre, it was interactive and educational, and extremely fun. We would definitely go back again.

Wonderful place to bring family and friends! We had an (arctic) blast last time we went, had a lot to do and see with all the activities and shows althroughout. Please note though that rides do have a height requirement which they are a bit strict with for safety reasons. The rest are pretty accessible to the young and young at heart. A bit pricey but you doget a lot of enjoyment and knowledge out of it.

What an excellent experience! Absolutely loved the Hagglund trek thru the different terrains. We got to talk with Heather about all the penguins and their antics. We were there for about 5 hours, went for lunch, great food in the cafe, then back in to see the beautiful huskies, and having Jo talk about his beloved huskies! Highly recommended, very interactive 😍

They have their own parking space. Online booking is cheaper. Better try the hagglund ride if you are eligible and our rider was superfriendly. Therafter you will get to see a 4D movie , video demonstrations , huskies ,an antarctic storm in a freezing chamber and little penguins. Renovations are on the way and hopefully waiting for an upgrade.There is a good cafe with delicious food and toilets at the facility.

Not somewhere I would of gone of my own accord, but reccomended by others and it did not disappoint. We spent 2hrs there. Great knowledgeable and chatty staff on the hagglund atv. Lots to learn and interactive stuff for all age levels.

This museum is a lovely place with excellent service. However, it is currently undergoing renovations and will not reopen until 2027 or 2029—I can’t recall the exact year. The exhibits feature incredibly detailed and unique pieces, especially for those who appreciate pottery. While it might not be worth a dedicated trip if you’re not a fan of this art form, its central location makes it convenient to visit if you’re nearby. Overall, it’s worth a look when it reopens.

Considering it is a pop up while the museum is under renovation this museum was a good visit. The staff were really helpful. We enjoyed it. My grandson loved the meteor!

Usually we are not really into museums but when we visited in the beginning of February 25 we had a really good time walking through the exhibitions (especially the Wharenui Harikoa, because it included light into the art as well) 🥰 Beside the entrance we even had the opportunity to make pompoms at a little creative area, so I would definitely recommend a visit 😊

Some old favourites on display and then the other part dedicated to the the docudrama of New Zealand's 19th century past. Free entry. Combine with a visit to the Art museum on the other side of the block.

Small but well organized museum, free admission, definitely worth a short 20 minute visit. We arrived about 30 to 40 minutes before closing, the staff welcomed us anyway the moment we stepped in. 5⭐ for the great customer service.

Seems it is currently being renovated, currently a small exhibition is available on the first floor. Nice descriptions, half of the space was pottery when I was there, the other half was mostly unrelated to NZ, such as small display of Roald Amundsens Antarctic expedition, a piece of meteorite from the US, African animals and so on, would have loved some more Māori or NZ related things. Granted I read fast, but having read almost everything, I finished seeing everything after half an hour. Free entrance but they would like a donation. They recommend 5 NZD, and you can choose eftpos donation of 5, 10, 15 or 20 NZD, I had a hard time since I just wanted to drop 2 dollars but it seemed so petty so I just didn’t. Didn’t feel it was 5 dollars worth, would have donated more if the exhibition was fully open and larger and not mainly pottery haha. The staff was super friendly tho!

Had a brilliant time visiting the pop up museum and seeing the wharenui in person. What an absolute stunning piece 😍 the staff were super friendly and loved to chat and help. They kept the exhibit running nice and smoothly. Was beautiful quiet place to reflect when I went (:

What an interesting and different building. Well worth the visit. Free entry, and don't hassle you about donating. Super friendly staff, particularly the young lady (Kathleen was it?). Pleasure meeting you and it was great learning about the place and also other recommendations around town.

Innovative thinking at its peak.Attended Sunday mass here and the worship songs sung by the choir members is mesmerising 🤩Felt very peaceful and the sermon was great and meaningful. Very organised in each and every event . Hope they get enough funding for building the new church.great architecture.

The architectural design is beautiful and unique! It’s worth visiting, and I encourage everyone to make a donation to the church.

We visited in early October , nice and unique church. There was a singing choir and service going on so we attended it. Made some donations , hope it goes to help in the rebuilding of the church building funds. Nice and interesting building structure.

Popped in while exploring Christchurch and was honestly impressed — simple but stunning. Love how they turned something so unusual into a powerful symbol after the earthquake. It was worth a quick visit! It’s not huge, but the architecture is awesome, and there’s a lot of meaning behind it. Nice quiet place to just sit and take it in for a bit. Didn’t expect to be so moved by a cardboard building! It's modern, clever, and surprisingly warm inside. It's definitely a must-see if you're in the area. Closing time is 4pm

The cardboard cathedral is a temporary home for the Anglican community of Christchurch since the original cathedral was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake. It is made of recyclable materials. It is now dwarved by the new stadium.

Interesting Cathedral - built as an interim replacement of the Christchurch cathedral damaged in Earthquake. Gets it name from the cardboard tubes used for the walls and roof. Interiors looks pretty simple (viewed from outside, couldn't enter the church as it was closed). Stain glass on the facade looks nice.

What an amazing museum - a hidden gem. A wide variety of exhibits to a very high standard. Interactive if you have children. This museum is definitely worth a visit and you will need more time than you think.

Fantastic specimens and well preserved items celebrating colonialism…. Well done on hiding the local Māori history and artefacts

A great country museum. A lot bigger than what you think.

A great small-town memorabilia and history museum. Seemed to be stuffed with artifacts from every attic and house sale of the past century. Also the original projectprs and advertising slides from the town cinema. Much larger than we at first thought, owing to a very large rear building housing a wide range of horse-drawn carriages, agricultural machines, and motor transport. Volunteer-run with very limited opening hours, so check ahead if you plan a visit.

Great place to see the past of Oxford. They have some family tree information. Volunteer on the day was very helpful.

A rural museum of two halves; the newer section is great, with a lot of information, well laid-out exhibits, and an 'immersive' bush scene on entry. The older part is a little cluttered, dated, and reminiscent of any rural museum that hasn't been touched in half a century - not very interactive, and not very child (or adult) friendly. The Māori section is - disappointingly for an area with real history - relegated to a single dusty box and an inaccurate painting in the corner, with no real explanations as to either.

Lots of items on display of early colonial history of the area. Older Cantabrians will recognise many items from their childhood, things their grandparents would have owned. Some NZ favourites and some items from Britain. A room at the end has a good display of farming machinery. There are clean toilets and ample off street parking. The museum is completely accessible with ramps and accessible toilet. I enjoyed the range of items on display of domestic life in early settler times.

We visited here 2 days ago and it was a wonderful surprise. Full of fascinating history, an amazing collection of artifacts and the custodian of the day was the most delightful lady. She was so welcoming, full of incredible knowledge and really made the experience a 10/10 for us. It is honestly well worth the visit and admission. One of the best.

Really great museum! Tons of artifacts to look at, their Maori collection is especially impressive. Fantastic way to spend an afternoon

incredibly knowledgeable staff who chatted with us and told stories all the way through, best museum experience I have ever had. would give 100/5 stars, the collection here is massive and carefully curated :)

Beautiful museum about the history of NZ (both Maori and Colonial). Vast collection of Maori exhibits as well as from the colonial period. We've spent over 3 hours there and didn't even read everything, it's that huge. The entrance fee is very low for what it has on offer. The staff is also very knowledgefull and kind. Beautiful drive there too, so definitly worth the trip from Christchurch! For me an absolut must see during a NZ trip.

This museum houses a truly impressive collection of Maori artifacts, from all parts of New Zealand. The Waka collection is among the best in New Zealand. Items are carefully displayed and labels give a clear explanation of significance and purpose. The colonial section is well set out, showing a wide range of items across the life of colonial New Zealanders. The cottages and other buildings are well maintained and have a sense that the owners and workers have just stepped out for a moment The museum is well worth a visit.

Amazing museum seemingly tucked away in the back of beyond. Highly recommended, in fact worth going out of your way to make the stop. Also plan for a good hour as they have a great collection of early Maori artifacts and history as well as the colonial history. Then not far to pop into the cool Okains Bay General store with a great collection of retro bits and pieces to fit out your campervan and grab an ice cream.

Many cultural items on display enjoyed every moment of memorable items

Interesting rock formation on the foreshore. At low tide you can walk through the cave. If you are keen it is apparently an easy climb to the top of the rock

Cave Rock / Tuawera is beautiful any time of day, but at night it’s something else. The whole area takes on a calm, almost magical feel. The cross lit up above the beach is such a cool sight—it kind of glows over the water and makes the whole scene feel peaceful and special. It’s one of those spots that just makes you stop and appreciate where you are. Highly recommend checking it out after dark!

Beautiful view, great place for photos and a quick easy little climb to the top of the rocks to view the beach. Great place to watch the sunrise/sunset. I loved the flowers and trees/plants.

Very crowded during the weekend when it is a sunny day, HAVE FUN. Abit hard to find parking as well.

Beautiful coastal landmark at Sumner Beach! Loved exploring the cave at low tide and climbing to the top for great views. A must-visit spot in Christchurch.

Beutiful view of the beach from the top

Beautiful rocks to climb up! Relatively easy to climb it, almost like stairs, and you get a view over the whole beach. Stunning place to just relax

Excellent theatre. Friendly staff. Great ice creams. Easy free parking in the surrounding streets.

Great service for a small place and the staff are friendly. Enjoyed the comfortable chair and movie.

Wonderful small cinemas 🎥 inside this immaculate building .. great friendly staff .

Staff always friendly, cinemas clean and tidy. Good experience!

Live this place. Friendly staff. Clean theater Our local. Great films And special events

Lovely building with 2 small cinemas and 1 larger one. Staff are really friendly and helpful too.

A very comfy theatre. Lovely staff

Awesome experience! Wine tasting was $52 for 2 people. Beautiful garden and great service. We got to try their olive oil as well.

This was an absolute highlight. Kerry is a brilliant host and we had a fantastic time here with some brilliant wines. The olives and olive oil are not to be missed as well! Great view even on a grey day. Look forward to returning next trip!

This winery is not to be missed. All our group enjoyed all of the beautiful wines at the tasting. Our friendly host Kerrie was knowledgeable and made the whole experience relaxing and jovial. The scenary adds another delight to this lovely experience.

Hi, wanna check will the winery be opened on 26December2025? We have a total of 7 adults, would like to make an wine tasting for 7 pax, at 10am on 26December2025. Please assist to advise! Thanks

Still family owned local winery. When we went for the tasting($8 for 8 superb wines) Jill who is a owner looked after us with Kiwi friendly hospitality. All their wines taste fantastic! I’ll definitely come back. They grow their own olives and make olive oil which tasted excellent,too.

Amazing wine and olive oil. Absolutely fantastic experience to do the wine tasting in this elegant place..

Terrace Edge is a must go-to! Their wines are a stunning representation of north canterbury. Also really cool to be able to taste not your typical NZ varietals (their Albariño and Saint Laurent wines are beautiful). Kerrie made our experience and made the wines come to life. From the moment we walked in she was so welcoming and made us feel at home. Great chat and very knowledgeable about the vineyard and area. Thank you so much, we will be back!

Our host, Boston’s wine knowledge and hospitality were top-notch. We had an excellent wine tasting. You try a wide range of wines, and hear a story about the production of each. Highly recommend. If only the tasting took place outside to showcase these beautiful grounds!

Beautiful winery, lovely gardens and amazing produce and wine. Service was very friendly upon arrival and we had a really nice chat to the owner about the various plants in their gardens. Highly recommend a visit.

A friend recommended this winery and we were not disappointed. The setting and service was exceptional. Generous pours and knowledge from Boston. Able to enjoy high quality self select charcuterie in the picturesque gardens.

We had a fantastic time at Pegasus Bay winery and deli shop, Food quality from deli was so tasty, we had warm bread, crackers, various cheeses, meats, Salmon and sauces to mention a few . And of course the excellent wines We enjoyed so much! Afterwards we walked the stunning sculpture gardens, definitely a must do. Big shout to The super helpful and friendly staff Highly recommended!

Beautiful venue, wine tasting great price, the ability to choose your own charcuterie board is a great idea. Perfect for a picnic and great day out.

Fantastic tasting room, deli and indoor/outdoor seating. They have a small Cafe style menu or choose cheeses, crackers and spreads from the deli and they will provide you with plates, knifes, napkins, cutting boards in a basket to make your own cheese platter. Great service and lovely wine. Beautiful gardens with a pond where the kids can feed the giant eels.

The best wine tasting experience in NZ thus far! A vast range of interesting and special wine available, the staff are professional, knowledgeable and friendly. On top of everything, their garden is absolutely mind blowing, so sad the restaurant isn’t open that day, would love to be back for the food.

We stopped in on our way back to Christchurch and were lucky enough to get a table for 2. Bookings are recommended. The setting is lovely, the service is really good, absolutely lovely staff. The food is also really good. I had the falafel main, and my husband had the steak sandwich, both of which we enjoyed. The rating is because their wine is not vegan friendly, which is disappointing. They can provide a sparkling rose for vegans, but that's it.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Waipara Hills, a vineyard in Waipara, Canterbury, New Zealand, and I have to say, it was a stunningly beautiful experience. The wines are truly fantastic, with a wide range of varietals to choose from. The flavors were well-balanced, and the prices of bottles were more than reasonable. The real highlight of my visit was the restaurant, which exceeded all of my expectations. The food was absolutely delicious, with a menu that featured a variety of dishes that were expertly prepared. The restaurant truly felt like a 5-star establishment, with a focus on providing a unique experience to patrons. The staff were also top-notch, and they were incredibly knowledgeable about the wines and food. I would highly recommend Waipara Hills to anyone looking for a fantastic wine-tasting experience with delicious food. It's truly a hidden gem in Waipara, Canterbury.

An absolutely delightful experience! Recommend booking before coming as they get very busy and don’t always take walk ins. Paired the food very nicely with wine and everything came out promptly and tasted very fresh. The location is also stunning!

A great venue for all sorts of functions. Great atmosphere and superb wines. Enjoy the venue either as a private function or dining out with friends. I am writing this as I am at the venue while listening to good background music and a nice warm comfortable temperature. If you want something uniquely different then give this place a go.

Great lunch with pretty good service. Enjoyed the share plates of the chicken bao and the pork sliders. Also a very good wine selection as well. Would be best in the summer I reckon to be able to sit outside.

Food was was amazing, really the wine as well. Really great service too. Came in on the weekend without a booking (just driving by) and they were able to accommodate us. 5 it of 5 for everything!!!

Great place to spend Sunday afternoon , sit in the sun eat great meals and drink fine wines. Meals are quite large and easily shared, the wine matching is helpful. I had the mussels and chorizo, great. As was the beef ragout Friendly staff and no smoking, that I noticed, nearby

We visited Waipara Springs Winery for lunch as part of our first visit to New Zealand from the US. It was excellent. We spent almost two hours enjoying a relaxing lunch by a very toasty fireplace. Service was great too.

What a perfect lunch stop on our way from Christchurch to Kaikōura! The place was full and there was live music playing, but even without a reservation we were lucky to get a table. We were served by a wonderful waitress Kristina who recommended the seafood tasting platter and a sample of four wines. The food quality was outstanding. We also got to sample their local white wine, Blended – something truly unique that we’ve never tasted before. We loved it so much we bought a bottle to take home!

Looking for a cozy winery with delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere? Look no further than Waipara Springs! This place is the perfect spot to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends and enjoy a few glasses of wine. The food is amazing. The cheese board and bread plate are huge and could easily feed four people, and the main dishes are even bigger. I was so full after my appetizer that I could barely finish my main course! But the food is so good that it's worth it. The wine is also excellent. They only have two reds on the menu, but they're both delicious. The staff is very knowledgeable and can help you choose the perfect wine to pair with your meal. The only downside is that there can be a bit of a wait for a table on Saturdays. We had to wait about 30 minutes, but it was worth it. The atmosphere is so relaxing and the food is so good that it makes the wait worth it. Overall, I highly recommend the Waipara Springs Winery and Restaurant. It's a great place to spend a day with friends and enjoy some good food and wine. Here are a few additional things to keep in mind: * The winery is open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day. * There is a 20-minute wait for a tasting and a 30-45 minute wait for a table on Saturdays. * The restaurant is located in the Waipara Valley, about 40 minutes from Christchurch. * There is plenty of free parking available on-site. If you're looking for a great place to spend a day in the Waipara Valley, I highly recommend the Waipara Springs Winery and Restaurant. You won't be disappointed!

Well, our strange accumulation of friends from Martinborough, who enjoy good food and great wine, descended upon Waipara for a wine tasting and gastronomic weekend experience which included Sunday lunch at the delightful Waipara Springs Winery and Restaurant. Communication regarding our booking was clear and responsive, taking great care of our dietary needs and wants, thanks Lauren. The greeting on arrival, thanks Katie (Katherine), was generous, warm and welcoming, as were all the staff. Andrew introduced the wines with expert knowledge, humorous skill and deft attention to our numerous questions. All staff were obviously well-trained, respectful and careful. The vineyard history, the story of the wines and the atmosphere added exponentially to our enjoyment and experience. We found the wines to be appealing, tasty and delicious; indicative of the terroir, climate and people of a New Zealand wine region with which most of us were somewhat unfamiliar. The food was fabulous and tasty; simple but not simplistic; and simply delicious. Would thoroughly recommend a visit to this fine establishment if you are in the area, or go out of your way if you’re not!

What a lovely restaurant! Staff were friendly and efficient, food was great. We had a a shared fish platter that was delicious, with a wide range of fishy delights-cooked in plain and fancy ways, and two gorgeous salads. Finished with a choc brownie (yum) so big we finished it at home. Very reasonable price too- highly recommended!!

We hosted a milestone birthday at Waipara Spring Winery on Sunday for 33 people, and the entire experience was outstanding. From booking right through to the end of lunch, everything ran seamlessly. Lauren, Megan and the team were warm, attentive, and incredibly accommodating — nothing was ever a hassle. The food and wine were divine. Overall, a truly memorable day and we highly recommend them to anyone for a special occasion or a leisurely lunch.

So many things to love at this place. The online booking last minute was easily accommodated. The staff were so friendly and attentive and the setting is a perfect place to be in the sun and enjoy the delicious wines. Unfortunately a change in menu (we were told) recently saw all our diners disappointed in the meals. Bland, overcooked. not the usual zing I'm sorry to say. Staff very very good at dealing with a meal replacement though.

An experience like no other. Horses that have been bred for this specific terrain and purpose over decades and know exactly what they are doing! Operators are just as skilled and you’re their number 1 safety concern. Come along for one hell of a ride. Capable people doing things to the highest calibre. Highly recommend and guarantee you’ll want to come again. I’m booked for the 12 day trek and can’t wait!

Lawrie and Jenny are just the best people! So patient with beginners, they have worked with horses their whole life's and you can tell !! We learned a lot and would recommend them to anyone who is up for an amazing real horseback adventure through NZ !

Spent 3 months back in 1993? at the farm with Laurie and Jenny. Incredible place. Incredible experience.

Such a cool experience. Jenny and Lawrie are lovely and very accommodating

Best place ever

Lovely place to stop for breafast or lunch. Very friendly service and great food. Superb pies!!!

Have stopped here many times in the past but has been a couple of years since last here. Your establishment is devoid of all character they staff don't smile or chat and that's from the till down. One young man on today is very polite and the only one smiley, he must be happy in his job. The food was fine, no complaint there. Will be stopping elsewhere on our back through.

Filos and pies come with salad sides. Pretty good for a lunch stop

Enjoyed the winery tour, lovely people working there, very informative tour. Recomend it . Just one comment we bought some of the wine, which is delicious!! But what is going on with the foil on the top of the bottles?? very poor design i have cut myself twice trying to open the bottle, you have to wedge a knife under the foil and work your way up, reckon you guys need to review that or put a tear tab on it, even then by the thickness of the foil i doubt whether it will still be easy to open. This is a constructive comment for you.

Delicious breakfast with BIG portions. Great service. Coffee was beautiful. New regular stop when down south working.

Just had breakfast here, absolutely awesome. The pancakes are delicious, light & fluffy. Service is fast and friendly, definitely recommended.

Lovely people. Service was great. Food menu was small but delicious. Wine tasting as really pleasant. Bought the Pinot Noir. Very smooth but full of flavour

Nice animal park with loads of different animals to look at, well worth the $15 entry, you can buy food and feed the animals also enter some enclosures

Great fun and well priced! Decent size bag of animal food so you can get around all animals without needing 2 bags. Being able to be in with some of the animals makes for an extra cool experience! Our group of x6 25 year olds loved it! Great for all ages 😍

Was a great place to visit with my family. They have a surprising range of different animals from emu's to goats to wallabies. We loved showing our son all the different animals and getting to feed them as well.

Cool place to stop and check out the friendly animals, especially the deer. I loved feeding the guinea pigs!

Our children enjoyed themselves, it’s a good setup with the playground in the middle. However it was quite upsetting to see the pig enclosure. 2 out of the 3 were limping and in pain walking due to the very sharp stones covering most of their area. We have pet pigs ourselves, they should never be on stones like these.

I'll little place to go with the kids when we were there there was a birthday party going on. They do have a few animals to pay and feed. U buy ur animal food separate when U enter quiet cool little walk down to the water buffalo. Would be awsome to have some trout/fish or eels in the ponds. U guys do an awsome job nice clean enclosures and perfect housing for each individual animal. We couldn't get over how busy U guys were. Keep the great work up guys

Suitable for all ages can feed animals ( extra $3). Have kids playing area. can buy food in here and park open all year around. Have sheep and lambs, goats, pigs, pony, donkeys, llamas and alpacas, cow, texas longhorn, ostrich, emu, wallaby, water buffalo , deer, ducks, geese and chickens , guinea pigs, chinchillas and giant flemish rabbits. Adult $15 children $8 (aged 2-16)

Good littel minigolf place. Simple enough and prices are what you would expect. The greens are well kept and in good condition however the actual tracks were a bit bland and simple. Some of them however had a little more excitment. It is not that big of a course so it could get quite crowded in the peak of summer.

Definitely recommend! Great for all ages! Mini golf is good fun - could maybe do with an upgrade or extension to the course to add new holes! Maze is also fun! The wee black out rooms were quite fun! 🤩

A great way to spend half an hour, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed it. Good cheerful staff members as well.

This place isn't just perfect for kids but kids at heart can definitely enjoy this place as well! My partner and I visited this place unplanned and we actualy had a great time. It took us about 30 minutes to go through the maze and complete the task. Lots of laughs and lots of fun! You guys should try it.

Arrived after an epic drive with ferrel kids who just needed and activity to do to stay the boardness of the trip to find the place closed at 4:25pm on a school holiday day. Madness, i would think a place like this would be open till 6pm during school holiday periods. If we get to play tomorrow we may change our rateing but for now 2 stars. Edit: was able to play the following day and will advise that the place is very cool. Hence we have given an extra star.

Very fun, we did the maze. Unique from mu experience and not too much to take up the whole day. Managed to get a bit wet on the one "Challenge" which gave a good laugh to the rest of the group. A must do when you visit hanmar springs.

Really enjoyed. Pretty cool place, and the lost temple adventure maze is awesome. Usually, it can finish 15 to 30 minutes. Adult $12 children $10 Mini golf side has 18 holes, and it's a super fun group activity Usually, it can finish 15 to 30 minutes.Adult $12 children $10 Can buy combination pass Adult $20 children $16

It is a nice place to walk. It is a bit cold inside the forest. There are animals sculptures along the walking path.

It was amazing place to walk with kids! There were lots of bikers, so it must be great to ride bikes. Interesting sculptures are in the forest. Strongly recommend to visit with family.

Recommend you do this walk. Easy to do and the carvings are amazing. Awesome to see the forest being left in its natural condition.

Recommended by the locals. the animal sculptures carved out of one fallen redwood are remarkable. What a great idea. I loved finding each new sculpture. Well singposted. Easy walk.....bit further than the 1km they suggest. Could walk from town to this

An amazing place for a walk, with lots of cute animal sculptures

Great walk, not too long, almost completely flat, so you don't need to be fit to enjoy the wooden sculptures/carvings along the way. Very beautiful in Autumn with all the natural colours of the season.

We adore this trail, particularly the sculpture trail. The majestic tall fir trees guide the loop track with soft ground, offering a pleasant and easy 30-minute stroll to enjoy tranquility.

The Kaikōura Seal Colony at Point Kean is one of the best places in New Zealand to see fur seals up close—and it’s free! Parking is available right by the coast, and from there it’s just a short walk along the rocky shoreline to spot them. No long hikes or tickets required, which makes it very accessible. On a sunny afternoon, the silver-grey rocks shimmered under the light, blending almost seamlessly with the resting seals. Most were napping, their round bellies rising and falling with each breath, completely unbothered by visitors. A few groomed themselves with their flippers, occasionally glancing our way as if to ask, “Are you done taking pictures yet?” These are New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri), part of the eared seal family, easily recognized by their visible ears and ability to “walk” on land using front and back flippers. Watching them so close in their natural habitat felt both peaceful and unforgettable.

The drive along the ocean was scenic. Windy & lots of seagulls & we also saw seals on the coast. Lovely & beautiful

Seals, seals and some more seals! We were hoping to just see a few, but once we rounded the corner, there were resting on rocks as far as we would see. The path is easy to follow and gets you up close to the seals. Mind the barriers as its for yours and their safety.

It’s a 1 and a half to 2 hours walk, up the hill and down towards the rocky seaside. Lots of seals laying around, beware of getting to close to their cubs. Little kids not recommended unless adults are around to carry them at rocky areas

Amazing place to see seals up close in their natural habitat! Beautiful coastal views and a great spot for photos.

About 15 minutes walk from the carpark, walking on the big rocks can be slightly challenging. There are one or two lying around the rocks nearer to the carpark, but there are much more to see at the colony point.

A rocky beack with loads of birds and seals. Plenty of free parking. It gets very windy, so prepare yourself especially if it's cold.

The Kaikōura Seal Colony at Point Kean is one of the best places in New Zealand to see fur seals up close—and it’s free! Parking is available right by the coast, and from there it’s just a short walk along the rocky shoreline to spot them. No long hikes or tickets required, which makes it very accessible. On a sunny afternoon, the silver-grey rocks shimmered under the light, blending almost seamlessly with the resting seals. Most were napping, their round bellies rising and falling with each breath, completely unbothered by visitors. A few groomed themselves with their flippers, occasionally glancing our way as if to ask, “Are you done taking pictures yet?” These are New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri), part of the eared seal family, easily recognized by their visible ears and ability to “walk” on land using front and back flippers. Watching them so close in their natural habitat felt both peaceful and unforgettable.

The drive along the ocean was scenic. Windy & lots of seagulls & we also saw seals on the coast. Lovely & beautiful

Seals, seals and some more seals! We were hoping to just see a few, but once we rounded the corner, there were resting on rocks as far as we would see. The path is easy to follow and gets you up close to the seals. Mind the barriers as its for yours and their safety.

It’s a 1 and a half to 2 hours walk, up the hill and down towards the rocky seaside. Lots of seals laying around, beware of getting to close to their cubs. Little kids not recommended unless adults are around to carry them at rocky areas

Amazing place to see seals up close in their natural habitat! Beautiful coastal views and a great spot for photos.

About 15 minutes walk from the carpark, walking on the big rocks can be slightly challenging. There are one or two lying around the rocks nearer to the carpark, but there are much more to see at the colony point.

A rocky beack with loads of birds and seals. Plenty of free parking. It gets very windy, so prepare yourself especially if it's cold.

Amazing walkway along an absolutely STUNNING piece of New Zealand coastline. There is a great short walk option which is about 30 minutes and follows the top of a hill with amazing views and comes back along the coast with nesting birds and fur seals in the wild. Can be very exposed and windy - take a jacket and hat. Super easy and our school age children loved it. Can be a loop otherwise an easy there and back

Absolutely gorgeous views everywhere you look! There’s a good bit of parking and bathrooms. It was so cool seeing the seals in mid-September. There are several trail options. Depending on what you do, you could easily spend 1-5 hours here. Your trail options can be loop or out-and-back. It sounds like you may have to be mindful of the tide for part of 1 trail.

This is a wonderful 11.7km loop track with loads of scenery and variety. As a loop of the entire peninsula you can start almost anywhere from your motel to any of the official track ends. We walked from across the road from Dolphin Encounter along the Esplanade to the official carpark and then along the beach because this brought you to close to the fur seals, gulls, coastal reefs and the sea. You could walk the cliff top but you get to do that a bit further along where you climb back up to the cliff for some spectacular views of the bays and ocean before coming back down to South Bay followed by a short jaunt across the peninsula and back to our car.

Seals n whales great views lovely peninsular great walking tracks,awesome place to go for a walk amongst nature

Loved this walkway. Amazing views from the top of the cliffs & you can watch the seals below or walk back on the bottom & see them up close & personal! There's a small yellow lighthouse at the start of the walk at the top of the hill & after that, theres rural views & a grassy track on the cliff top with seats placed strategically for the views.

Amazing walking track along either the coast or up on top of the cliffs. Up on the cliffs gives you great views out to sea and down over the seal colony with many different points where you can decide to walk down to the coastline. The coastline walk will get you close to the seal colony, you'll see people getting way too close to the seals and bothering them, please don't be them and enjoy them from a distance. The walk can go a long way around the peninsula and be a one way walk if someone is able to pick you up from the other end otherwise loop back on yourself. Fairly flat walk with some largish stones to traverse over at certain points of the walk.

Always full of hikers doing the walkways, easy access and good toilets at hand. The views across the bay towards the mountains were breathtaking and eye-catching.

They open at 10 am which was bit of an inconvenient to us. We needed some quick information but the i-site was closed. There is lot of parking available. You can book tickets for whale watching at the beach i-site (According to the advertisement outside).

Helpful staff and lovely art works on display. However, cannot make bookings here as all staff are volunteers. New info centre will be opening in future.

Good information and helpful staff... and still amazing views right outside the doors

I've given up trying to ring them. They just don't answer the phone, and the answering machine just says the person at that extension is "unavailable". I don't even know if it's the right number or not.

Lots of information and helpful staff. Def worth checking out before you check out some of Kaikoura.

Many thanks for i-SITE. A Chinese lady named Ivy has offered so many information and tips for us. She is amazing and helpful. Her help makes our trip more colorful and easier. We will remember this lovely town in our New Zealand travelling.

Stunning view of Creek meeting the ocean nice little shelter to have your lunch