
Waipara Wine Experience with Giles Tours
Giles Tours takes small groups (max 6) on short day wine tours from Christchurch. You will visit four boutique wineries in the Waipara Valley (North Canterbury)… Read More
Holidays
With endless coastlines, winding forest trails and charming historic villages, Hurunui is an explorer’s paradise with plenty to surprise and delight all who visit.
Hidden Gems
You are never far away from a hidden gem in Hurunui. Forage for truffles, scour the forests or comb the endless coastlines. There are infinite delights just waiting to be found.
Adventure & Challenge
Stand atop Mt Grey enjoying panoramic views, fish in unique braided rivers or hit forest mountain bike trails. Hurunui’s outdoors are calling.
Escape & Reward
With fresh alpine air, forests and mountains, Hurunui is a natural relaxant. And for those wanting to really unwind there are spa treatments, wineries and indulgence on tap.
The taste of the Hurunui
Delight in one of New Zealand’s award-winning wine regions, linger in a winery restaurants and don’t miss the chance to taste the local fare at the weekend Farmers market in Amberley.
Fun with kids
Explore
Fossick under the forest canopy, comb the coastline for special treasures or experience the high country’s magnificence, it is time to dust off your cobwebs and get exploring.
Touring Routes
Road trips make memories and Hurunui is a motorist’s dream. You’ll whip past limestone outcrops, over patchwork plains, always heading towards rolling green hills on the horizon.
Welcome to Hanmer Springs
With fresh alpine air, mountains and forests, it feels good just being in Hanmer Springs. Everything you need is right here, including famous thermal springs.
North Canterbury Wine Region
A place of pioneers and innovators, the Waipara Valley’s an award-winning wine region. You’ll love the vineyard tastings and the winery restaurants… they’re exceptional.
Hurunui Heartland
Hurunui is filled with heart. Historic homesteads, country pubs and rolling green hills that will have you feeling a world away from your everyday life.
Getting Here & Getting Around
Browse Events
Eventful Hurunui
Plan or Promote an Event
Canterbury & West Coast Regional Events Fund
Alpine Winter Festival
Things To Do
Amplify your adrenalin on a jetboat or bungy cord, soothe your stress with spa treatments or strolls in the forest. Just get here and start making memories.
Action & Adventure
Hurunui is known as one of New Zealand's adventure tourism hubs. With bungy jumping, jetboating, quad biking, four wheel driving and horse riding among the activities on offer, adrenalin junkies will definitely get their fix.
Art & Galleries
Art lovers will find a treasure trove of attractions in the Hurunui with gorgeous galleries and shops dotted about the region.
Family Fun
The Hurunui is a family friendly destination... the perfect place to hang out and simply have fun.
Golf
There are golf courses a plenty in the Hurunui District. You’ll find fairways with mountain backdrops and incredible scenery as well as seaside courses, so pack the clubs and get set to tee off!
Hunting & Fishing
With canada goose, wild boar, deer and chamois, Hurunui is a popular hunting ground. It’s equally awesome for anglers with country lakes, coastlines and rivers ripe for fishing.
Parks & Gardens
With its rolling hills and stunning green landscapes, it will come as no surprise that the Hurunui is also home to some excellent parks and gardens.
Many make an excellent day trip from Christchurch and are well worth making the drive.
Spas & Relaxation
The Hurunui is lucky to have a wide range of day spa operators located across the district.
There's an extensive menu of body treatments available, suitable for all budgets - from a traditional massage to increasingly popular treatments like aromatherapry, reflexology and Thai massage - the list is almost endless.
Ski & Snowboard
Winter sees the Hurunui come alive as one of the playgrounds for snowbunnies in the South Island.
The region has two excellent ski-fields at Hanmer Springs and Mt Lyford.
Tours
The Hurunui is perfect for self drive but you can also join a tour to see behind the scenes.
Walking & Biking
Trails for all ages and all abilities. Tackle mountain tracks with panoramic views from the top or stroll or ride through winding forest trails with delights around many a corner.
Accommodation
Whether you want to make some new friends in a backpackers or indulge in luxury, it’s easy to find the perfect place to stay … what you will find hard is leaving.
Backpackers
The Hurunui has a number of hostels to choose from - cost effective, clean and fun places to stay. You'll always find a hive of activity here.
Bed & Breakfast
From cosy homes with cute bedrooms to large stately manors, we have a lot of 'Bed and Breakfast' accommodation. A great way to experience the legendary Hurunui hospitality.
Holiday Homes
Holiday homes are one of the most popular accommodation choices in the Hurunui - particularly in Hanmer Springs.
A great option for families and groups who want to self cater.
Holiday Parks & Campgrounds
A range of campgrounds are scattered across the Hurunui - they make exceptional, welcoming and cost-effective places to stay. You'll find many have everything you need onhand - bathrooms, kitchens, laundrys...even play equipment for the kids!
Hotels
Hotel accommodation is a popular option for Hurunui holidaymakers - particularly those in Hanmer Springs.
You'll find all the comforts of a home away from home and some luxuries too.
Motels
The Hurunui has a large range of motels across the district. Ideal for everyone - from couples to families or groups, they are very popular option for short term stays in particular.
Farmstays
Experience an authentic part of New Zealand life and stay on a farm! You'll be warmly welcomed and learn a lot.
Freedom Camping
Freedom camping (staying overnight out of campgrounds) is only permitted in some parts of the Hurunui. Please read the Hurunui District Council Freedom Camping Bylaw for further details.
Self Contained
Self contained accommodation includes apartments, Pure Pods and full serviced homes. Consider them your 'home away from home'.
Wedding Venues
Who doesn't want a stunning backdrop for their wedding day? The Hurunui has many to offer...dramatic alpine vistas, rows of grapes in award winning vineyards, rolling green hills, crisp rivers and lush green forests. With a range of venues and activities for your guests to enjoy, your wedding will be an unforgettable event.
Walking & Biking
Mt Cass Road
Mt Cass Walkway is currently closed due to lambing
Address
Mt Cass Road
Waipara
The Tiromoana walkway remains open
The public are reminded to be careful and to stay on the marked tracks. Please also ensure you wear appropriate clothing for weather conditions and sturdy footwear. Fire risk is also a serious risk to the area during summer – please be very mindful to protect the facility for all to enjoy.
For further information please contact Transwaste Canterbury: phone 0800 664 433
Should you find any damage while on your visit can you please call or send an email
Duration of walk: Moderately steep 2-3 hour walk to the lookout at the top of Mt Cass.
How to get there: starts from the car parking area 3.3km from SH 1
Description of walk: Most of the walkway is on a formed track.
Reasonable fitness levels are required, especially for the top most section of the track. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Mt Cass Walkway was developed cooperatively by the Waipara Valley Promotions Association and Transwaste Canterbury Limited, with local people providing many hours of volunteer labour and donated materials.
It was first opened to the public on 10 April 2006.
Facilities available: Toilet at Loop Track Junction.
Important information: Because the walkway is on a working farm, farm rules apply to anyone who uses Mt Cass Walkway.
These include:
The walk can often be closed over summer depending on the fire risk. It pays to check before heading there.
The walkway will be closed annually at lambing time: late July to October.
Summer hours: 8am and 6pm.
How to find Mt Cass Walkway
Get DirectionsGiles Tours takes small groups (max 6) on short day wine tours from Christchurch. You will visit four boutique wineries in the Waipara Valley (North Canterbury)… Read More
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Contact Us
42 Amuri Avenue
Hanmer Springs
New Zealand
Email: info@visithurunui.co.nz
Phone: +64 3 315 0000
Free phone : 0800 442 663 (NZ only)