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Bob Campbell
CUISINE WINE COUNTRY

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Banks Peninsula                                            images by Kate Pedley

Banks Peninsula, or simply ‘the Peninsula” in local lingo, is a great, big playground for the people of Christchurch and further a field.  It offers a diverse range of activities (for the fit and not so fit) as well as some great specialist food producers with lots of irresistible goodies.  It also has some exciting options for those interested in biodiversity and ecology. 

What we have done here is to wet your appetite with some of our favourite hot spots to go to, activities to do and things of interest with some links for more information.  We don’t profess that it is comprehensive and welcome your feedback on hot new experiences or taste sensations that you discover – enjoy!

Food Producers

Banks Peninsula is the home to a veritable smorgasbord of specialist food producers.  To get a “taste preview” of what’s being produced check out the Lyttleton Farmers’ Market (www.lyttelton.net.nz/lfm/) each Saturday morning.  It’s all fresh and produced by passionate people.  Vive le difference!

Below are some of our favourite producers and sources.  Very much a work in progress!

 

Local Delectable Food

  • www.lyttelton.net.nz/lfm/ 
    our favourite local farmers’ market
  • Kaituna Orchards, Kaituna Valley Rd, RD2, Christchurch.  Ph: 03 329 0852
    the best cherries in New Zealand (PYO December and January)
  • www.barrysbaycheese.co.nz
  • www.gruffjunction.co.nz   handmade goat’s cheese
  • Eatya Greens, PO Box 14, Little River, Canterbury.  Ph: 03 329 0090
    best salad greens we’ve ever tasted – try the “Saladini”
  • www.coppersfolly.co.nz   Coppersfolly Wasabi
  • www.peninsulapreserves.com   homemade preserves
  • Aquahaven NZ Ltd, Lakeside, RD3, Leeston.  Ph: 03 324 3785
    eel and salmon products
  • Christopher and Jenny Gray,  1905 State Highway 75, RD2, Christchurch.  Ph 03: 329 7905
    yummy asparagus, free-range eggs and honey
  • DE Kennedy’s Honey, Little River  Ph: 03 325 1116
  • www.akaroasalmon.co.nz
  • www.theolivegrove.net.nz   olive oils
  • www.lacasatoscana.co.nz    olive oils and olives
  • Robinsons Bay Olives and Olive Oil 
  • Fabels Hot Lime Pickles, Lavericks Bay, Akaora  Ph: 03 304 8518
  • www.lacasatoscana.co.nz - “judged the best olive oil in New Zealand in 2009!”

Grant’s Fave Coffee Haunts

  • Little River Café and Store, Main Road, Little River, Banks Peninsula.  Ph 03 325 1933
  • The Store @ Tai Tapu, Christchurch Akaroa Rd, Tai Tapu, Christchurch.  Ph 329 6753
  • Lyttleton Coffee Company, 29 London St, Lyttleton, Christchurch.  Ph 03 328 8096
  • www.ground.co.nz Ground Culinary Centre

Helen’s Fave Restaurants

Destinations

Akaroa:  This is one of our favourite spots for some rest and recreation.  It is close, but not too close to home.  Akaroa has a range of interesting activities, great cafes and restaurants and a range of accommodation options.  We prefer two or three days to relax.   Gorgeous and charming on a calm summers day.  Busy through the peak summer months so plan ahead if visiting then.  We prefer the off-peak time in April to September when the pace slows and you get some great room rates.

Must do’s

  • Fresh fish and chips by the seaside with the sun setting in summer.
  • Taste Akaroa salmon!
  • Walk the length of town – don’t drive!
  • Do the Black Cat Cruise for history and wildlife info; see the Hector Dolphins playing by the boat (www.blackcat.co.nz)
  • Cheese tasting at Barry’s Bay Cheese, Duvauchelles  (www.barrysbaycheese.co.nz)
  • Take the Eastern Bay Mail Run that departs from Akaroa.
  • Visit the Pohatu white flippered penguins (www.pohatu.co.nz)

A number of delightful bays on the Eastern side of the Peninsula are now accessible with sealed roads.  Take your tent or check out Bed and Breakfast options on local farms. 
 
Lyttleton:   This place goes off in summer with the Farmers Market each Saturday morning.  A short trip by car or bus from Christchurch through the tunnel.  Check out local institutions like the “Loons” for diverse and interesting theatre options up close in an intimate space or upstairs at the Wunderbar.  Serious coffee fixes available at Lyttleton Coffee Co.  Great deli foods at Ground and delicious dining at Freemans – you must try their pumpkin ravioli.

Little River:    You must stop at Little River on route to Akaroa.  Visit local institution, The Little River Store and Gallery – great coffee and a range of products from local artisan producers and some serious artwork from local and national artists.

Activities

The list is potentially endless.  Banks Peninsula is the home to a vast array of tracks for walking, cycling and tramping.  Tracks to suit all ages and fitness levels. 

The closest track to us for walking and cycling is the Christchurch - Little River RailTrail (www.littleriverrailtrail.co.nz/fastpage/fpengine.php/templateid/1).  Completed recently it extends from Hornby, Christchurch to Little River.  The Railtrail passes through rural areas and skirts past the volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula, hugging the shoreline of Lake Ellesmere and Lake Forsyth.  Increasingly popular on summer weekends.

For the reasonably fit tramper try the two or four day Banks Peninsula Track (www.bankstrack.co.nz) which departs and returns to Akaroa.  Take you pack, gear and food and go for it!   If not quite so fit do the guided version.  You just have to carry a small daypack and survive the day! (food and lodgings provided).

Other Spots to visit

  • Birdlings Flat – a walk on the wild side and maybe pick up some semi-precious gemstones
  • Kaituna Valley Reserve (http://tramper.co.nz/?408) - a pleasant stroll for people of any ability through remnant podocarp forest;.   Take a picnic and great for young children. 
  • Kaituna Valley is the start of the Packhorse Track (www.tramper.co.nz/?view=object&id=178) – an hour 15 minute walk up a volcanic hill to the Sign of the Packhorse hut

Flora and Fauna

Banks Peninsula is home to Lake Ellesmere (the fifth largest lake in New Zealand), Lake Forsyth and a number of small wetlands which provide a diverse habitat for plants, birds and animals.  Many species are rare including the sooty shearwater (titi), the jeweled gecko, yellow-eyed and white flipper penguins and the native orchid (Spiranthes sinensis).  Unique to Banks Peninsula is the Banks Peninsula Daisy and a few remaining populations of Cooks Scurvy grass.

It is the birds that many visitors find most striking when visiting Lake Ellesmere.  The lake has the most diverse bird population of any location in New Zealand with over 150 species represented at any one time.   Abundant birdlife can be viewed from the Christchurch - Little River RailTrail.

At our Summerhill Vineyard at Tai Tapu we are involved in a joint venture with Environment Canterbury to plant our wetland area with native plants.  With the growth of the trees and shrubs we are expecting a corresponding increase in birdlife.  A local charitable trust, the Waihora Ellesmere Trust (www.wet.org.nz) is also doing commendable work to educate people about the values of Lake Ellesmere, and to promote better management practices to improve the health and biodiversity of the lake and its catchments.


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