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About The Area
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The mountain
valleys and ridgelines of Canterbury's foothill forests offer
a unique opportunity to enjoy forest and alpine environments.
Their location at the foot of the Southern Alps is within
an hours drive from Christchurch.
These areas are managed by the Department of Conservation
for public use and enjoyment and for the preservation of their
natural values. They are remnants of the native vegetation
that once existed throughout the region.
Birdlife to be seen and heard in the forest area include native
species like fantail, bellbird, silvereye, tomtit, grey warbler,
brown creeper, wood pigeon and rifleman. Introduced species
include chaffinch, red poll, blackbird and thrush.
Visit the district website www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz
for information on the Waimakariri District
Destination Oxford -
click here to read
article (PDF File 51kb)
Destination Ashley Gorge - click
here to read article (PDF File 37kb)
(NOTE: These articles are PDF files for ease
of reading and printing, and require Adobe Acrobat Reader
to view. Click
here if you need to download Adobe Acrobat now.)
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Activities
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 Short
Walks
1. At the
top end of the Birch Flat picnic area there is a short walk
to a lookout up the Gorge.
2.
Short walks in and around Oxford, 6 short kiwi walks approximately
1 hour each.
Forest Walks
In
and around Mt Thomas and Oxfords forests. We have brochures
at the office.
Games
Table tennis - Cricket sets - Frisbee - Balls for hire
Kids Hour
Organised Activities
daily over summer. Check noticeboard for details. |
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Recreation Opportunities |
| Recreational
opportunities range from interesting short walks to scenic waterfalls,
challenging tramping routes along exposed mountain tops, as
well as kayaking, rafting and mountain biking.
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Walking Tracks
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Glentui Nature Trail
• Glentui Waterfall Track
Tramping Tracks
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Richardson Track
• Blowhard Track
• Bypass Track
Mountain Biking
• Blowhard Track
• Wharfdale Track
Kayaking the Ashley River. Photo
Copyright © Jim Helsel
Kayaking
• Ashley River from middle bridge on Lees Valley Road
to campground
• Class III+ 4-120 cumecs, Class IV >120cumecs, Experienced
kayakers.
• 12.5 km length, time 2-5 hours, shuttle available from
campground
• See the book "Whitewater River Running in NZ"
by Graham Egarr
• Check the flow at the Gorge on www.ecan.govt.nz
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Rafting
• Ashley River from middle bridge on Lees Valley Road to
campground
• Check the river flows on www.ecan.govt.nz
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Fishing
• Species: Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout.
• Fishing Methods: Above bridge - artificial flyfishing,
spinning, Below bridge - all authorised methods
• Season Duration: Above bridge - 1 Oct - 30 April, Below
bridge - All year.
• Limit Bags: Above bridge - 1 trout, max size less than
350mm, Below bridge - 2 trout
• Bait
fishing for trout only 1 Oct - 30 April
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A fishing licence is required and must be produced.
• See www.fishandgame.org.nz
North Canterbury region - Ph 03 366 9191
• Trout Quest Canterbury Fishing Tours - Ph 03 312 4902
• Canterbury High Country Fishing Tours - Ph 03 312 3379
Hunting
•
See www.fishandgame.org.nz
North Canterbury region
• The Mt Thomas Recreation Hunting Area is an open hunting
zone. A permit is required to hunt in this area. Permits available
from the Christchurch Department of Conservation office -
Ph 03 3713706
Jet Boating
• Waimakariri Gorge Jet - Ph 03 313 6490
Operate from Springfield, approx 20 mins from Ashley Gorge
Holiday Park.
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Golf
• Waimakariri Gorge Golf Club |
Animals
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Kowhai Farm Horse Riding School - Ph 03 312 4309
• Palmdale Llamas - Ph 03 312 1737 |
Kiwi
Walks
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6 Short walks in and around Oxford. Approximately 1 hour each.
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Arts, Crafts and Museums |
| There
are a variety of arts and crafts made locally. Local museum
showcases Oxford of yesteryear. |
• Oxford
Cottage Craft
• Craft Market
• Marina's Paper Art Studio
• Farmers Market (every Sunday)
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• Oxford
Museum
• Cust Museum
• Away With The Fairies Cust
• Triple S Pottery |
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Gardens and Nurseries |
| Interesting
selection of gardens and nurseries in the area with specialist
areas like herbs, unusual herbs and perennials, lavender and
lavender products, organics, potager. Many have display gardens
to view. |
• The Colour
Purple
• Ashley Gorge Nursery
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• Roses
at Cust
• Ribblesdale Gardens |
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Village Shopping |
• Emmas
• Seagars Cookware Store
• Jaks
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• Oakleigh
Cottage
• Oxford Pharmacy & Gifts
• Oxford Craft Shop |
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Food and Beverage
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| Delicious
options from licencesed restaurants, bars, café style takeaways
and wineries to tempt the taste buds. |
• Village
Foods Cafe, Bakery and Takeaways
• Oxford Workingmen's Club
• Cafe 51 |
• West Oxford
Hotel
• Seagers at Oxford
• Route 72 at Cust |
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Scenic Drives |
• Heritage Trails to follow around the Waimakariri District
• Historic Trails to follow around Oxford, Carlton and
Bennett's Area
• Lees Valley Experience |
