WHITEHORSE LOOKOUT - Waimate
The whitehorse Lookout delivers panoramic views of Waimate and its surrounds. The monument (white horse) at the lookout is 60 feet high and 48 feet long. Take the car or use the walkway to reach this lookout.
Location: Centrewood Park Road, Waimate.
Hours: 24
Price: free
Web:
Photo courtesy of eventfinder.co.nz
Aoraki Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain (3754m), home base for Sir Edmund Hillary, who began his mountaineering days here.
In 1890 when the first climbers, Mannering & Dixon, ventured on to Aoraki's slopes its height was 10 metres above what it is now, but due to the fall of 10 million cubic metres of rock & ice in 1991 its height now sits at 3754m.
For the travelling visitor you're welcom to share in Hillary’s story and learn more about the region’s history at the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre which adjoins the Hermitage Hotel at the base of the mountain.
Lake Pukaki, set against a backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook makes this New Zealand landscape the perfect Lake town setting. Lake Pukaki spans a distance of 178sqkm and is the largest of three lakes (others are Tekapo and Ohau) occupying ancient glacial valleys in the Mackenzie Basin. The lake is considered a shimmering blue jewel with distinctive deep blue tones which are from finely ground minerals carried in the glacier-fed waters. A perfect example of New Zelaand's crystal clear waters.
The Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, considered New Zealand's greatest alpine park - spans a distance of 70,696 hectares encompassing 19 mountain peaks (over 3000 metres in height) and New Zealand's largest glaciers which cover 40 per cent of the area.
The National Park is home to around 40 species of birds, including kea - a cheeky mountain parrot known for its mischievous antics. Of the rare wildlife you'll find here one of New Zealand's rarest birds, the kaki / black stilt find it home. Above the snowline you'll find the black alpine wētā - known as the Mount Cook flea and the secretive jewelled gecko that it is rarely seen.
Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook, in the Mackenzie Country, are the subject of a ground-breaking application to UNESCO for World Heritage status as a 'Starlight Reserve'. This area attracts ‘astro tourists’ drawn to one of few places on earth where it's still possible to view a starlit night sky devoid of light pollution. recognised in June 2012 as the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This 4300sqkm gold-rated dark sky reserve has been recognised for the rare quality of its almost light-pollution-free skies.
The region is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for all fitness levels - walking and trekking, mountaineering and ice climbing, magnificent scenic flights and landings on snow and ice, cycling and stargazing.
"Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, considered New Zealand's greatest alpine park - spans a distance of 70,696 hectares"
Lower Canterbury Sights
Sergio Del Rosso
Timaru, Waimate, Geraldine
Temuka, Pleasant Point, Fairlie, Tekapo
Home_South Island_Canterbury Region_Lower Canterbury Sights
ST PATRICKS CHURCH - Waimate
St Patricks Church tells an interesting story of church architecture and was built by Francis Petre in 1908 while the parich was established in 1881. St Patricks Church is a Category 1 Historic Place.
Location: F
Hours: 24 viewing from outside - parish hours vary.
Price: free
Web: http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=8&do=detail&type=parish&id=3225
Photo courtesy of blog.iwikiwi.com
ST AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH - Waimate
Built in 1872 and enlarged in 1880, St Augustine’s church was designed by B W Mountfort, built in 1872 and enlarged in 1880. St Augustine's is a fine example of timber used for a Gothic building, reminiscent of the more famous Selwyn Churches of the North Island with a memorial lychgate and bell-tower adding to the building’s charm. In the late 20th century a meeting room and offices were added by Miles Warren. St Augustines is a Category 1 Historic Place.
Location: Waimate
Hours: 24 viewing from outside - parish hours vary.
Price: free
Web:
Photo courtesy of seniornetwaimate.org.nz
WAIMATE MUSEUM - Waimate
Waimate Museum is housed in the old 1879 Court House which was designed by P.F.M. Burrows, in the Colonial Architect's Office. The classically inspired building is considered one of New Zealand’s finest small town public buildings.
Location: 28 Shearman Street, Waimate.
Price: by donation.
Hours: Tue - Fri: 12pm till 3pm / Sat - Sun: 1pm till 3pm - Mid Dec till End March
Photo courtesy of nzmuseums.co.nz
VINEYARDS
There are a selection of vineyards throughout South Canterbury where you can taste their selections of wines.
Always an enjoyable day out, spend your day relaxing in the Canterbury climate whilst sipping many a delectable option of wine, just be sure to either choose a tour guide or find an alternative option to driving.
The best way to find winery tour service providers is to visit the local information centre.
PLEASANT POINT MUSEUM & RAILWAY
- Pleasant Point
A volunteer run museum, The Pleasant Point Museum & Railway offers railway memorabilia and on the right days a working Ab locomotive and Model T Ford railcar.
Location: Railway Station, Afghan St, Pleasant Point.
Hours: View the timetable for operating times; pleasantpointrail.org.nz/Timetable
Price: Family $30, Adults $10, Child $5
MEDIEVAL MOSAIC - Geraldine
The 42 metre Medieval Mosaic is a recreation of the Bayeux Tapestry using the teeth of knitting machine pattern discs. It took 25 years to complete. It is approximately half scale.
It is housed in a knitting shop.
Location: 10 Wilson Street, Geraldine.
Price: free.
Hours: 24
Web:
ST THOMAS' ANGLICAN CHURCH
- Woodbury, Geraldine.
The Church of St. Thomas, an Anglican Church, at Woodbury, was completed in 1938? as a memorial church in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charles George Tripp, pioneer settlers. A Norman-styled slate-roofed building of local boulders, designed by Cecil Wood and built by members of the Tripp family, the church reflects a style of architecture prevalent in Devon, where Mr C. G. Tripp came from in 1855.
Location: Woodbury, 8kms from Geraldine, South Canterbury.
Hours: 10.30am – 4.30pm, daily.
Price: free.
Web: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant/stthomas.htm
Photo courtesy of Ian Moore, 2006.
GERALDINE VINTAGE CAR & MACHINERY MUSEUM
- Geraldine
On display are over 1400 exhibits. These include 101 tractors from 1912 onwards, including the oldest working tractor in New Zealand and thirty vintage cars from 1905. There are many items of farm equipment including hot air engines, stationary motors and a Threshing Mill. Also on display is a 1929 Spartan Biplane, household items, agricultural equipment and much much more.
Location: 178 Talbot St, Geraldine.
Hours:Last weekend October to 1st weekend June: Mon-Sun 9.30am-4pm Winter weekends only 10am -4 p.m.
Price: Adults: $10 - Child: free.
Web:
Photo courtesy of cathlea, Mar 2012,
GERALDINE DISTRICT GOLF CLUB - Geraldine
Geraldine Distrct Golf Club is rated one of the best 18-hole courses in the region.
The course is flat, easy walking with irrigated fairways and superb greens.
You are not required to book a tee time but it is recommended to check competition days and tournaments and events to check on course activities, this information can found on the website using the link below.
Location: Orari Back Road, Geraldine.
Hours: 9am till 5pm - 7 days.
Price: Affiliated $20.00, Non-affiliated $25.00, Weekly $45.00, School Child $5.00
FAIRLIE HERITAGE MUSEUM - Fairlie
The Museum started out as the local "smithy" run by Joseph Binney who lived right next door in what is now known as Mabel Binney's Colonial Cottage. When Mabel passed away she bequeathed the cottage to the Museum leaving it exactly as it was with all it's original bric-a-brac intact. Other buildings have been added to the property, including the old Railway Station. Over the years the Museum has acquired an amazing amount of exhibits.
Location: Mt Cook Road (State Highway 8) Fairlie.
Hours: 7 Days - 9.30am till 4.30pm..
Prices: Adults $5, Child free
Photo courtesy of Fairlie Heritage Museum