Buses provide wide-ranging fun and vistas

Press, 19 August 1983, Page 9

Buses provide wide-ranging fun and vistas

The Christchurch Transport Board’s special package deal incorporating bus fares as well as admission to Willowbank and Orana Park wildlife reserves is one of a number of services offered for the school holiday period. While these two tours operate for the holiday period only, other tours and services undertaken by the board — such as the hills-harbour and citysuburbs tours — traditionally prove very popular during school holidays. And with the C.T.B. now running a regular commuter service out in the country

between Southbridge and Rangiora, there is a wealth of rural attractions to enjoy with no travel or parking problems. Operating from August 20 to September 11, the tours to Orana Park and Willowbank represent very good value for money, says the C.T.B. The all-in price for Willowbank is $2.60 for children ($5.15 adults), while for Orana Park the charges are $3.35 ($6.70). Buses to both destinations leave Victoria Square at 12.30 p.m. daily, returning to the city by 3.30 p.m. The timing of the departure

allows travellers the choice of taking a picnic lunch or having an early lunch before leaving. Returning at 3.30 p.m. means those catching other buses for their homeward journey can still be within the half-fare (off-peak) period. The board’s hills and harbour tour is proving increasingly popular at school holiday times as a means for parents to show their children more of their city. It also allows local people to show something of Christchurch to school-aged friends or relations of the family from

out of town. The tour lasts three hours and includes a 40-minute launch trip around Lyttelton Harbour. The city and suburbs tour, also tailor-made as an introduction to the city for out-of-towners, takes two hours and includes all the features that have made Christchurch one of the more popular tourist destinations. Using the rural network, ( there are a large number of . holiday attractions to keep ; both youngsters and adults ’ occupied. Rangiora, the largest town in North Canterbury, offers unhurried and friendly shopping and a variety of recreational opportunities including golf and swimming. Serving a prosperous agricultural area, the town also has a number of interesting primary industries such as sawmilling and flourmilling which are well worth a look. A little further south, Kaiapoi is well endowed with natural features which make it a popular spot for families during school holiday periods. Attractions include rowing and fishing on the river, the Scott Rose Garden, Morgan Williams Reserve, Darnley Square, museum, tennis courts | and heated swimming pool j complete with picnic facilities. I South of Christchurch, Prebbleton offers many sel-dom-publicised attractions including an excellent domain, the largest monterey pinetree

outside California and the Anglican church which is steeped in history. In Lincoln, a wide variety of shopping is available and picnic lunches for mum and the kids can be enjoyed in the peace and quiet of the town’s Liffy Domain which is wooded and has a stream running through it. Leeston, towards the end of the southern leg of the bus route, has all the facilities for an enjoyable day out in the country. The scenic Anderson Gardens provide a popular picnic spot and Chamberlain’s Ford, 10km north of the town and near the bus route, is a well The holiday programme at Queen Elizabeth II Park these holidays combines the use of the stadium facilities and the pool areas. The result is an exciting range of activities. In the craft field, there are classes in clay, wax and plaster modelling, copper work and cane work, while for the younger children there are colouring competitions, storytimes, movies and mural painting. Want to learn how to defend i yourself and build up your body? Come along to body building, judo or self defence I courses. Squash, racketball and golf lessons are available for children 10 years and over, ' while the girls can join rhythmical gymnastics or popsercise sessions. Be in early as > numbers are limited.

known picnic and barbecue area. It can cost as little as $1.20 (off peak) for -the trip from Christchurch to either Rangiora or Southbridge, the two extremities of the C.T.B.’s rural service. The timetables are well planned and provide a regular service to all rural destinations. To make things easier for the prospective traveller, the C.T.B. recently introduced a special timetable-route-fare inquiry number (794-600) and has stocked its Information Kiosk in Cathedral Square with all the relevant information.

The pool offers an exciting range of activities including a comprehensive learn to swim programme for ali abilities of swimmers. Underwater hockey is a new sport to try and incorporates snorkelling skills. With summer coming up why not learn to canoe indoors for the outdoors in the Queen Elizabeth II Park pool. For those who would like to learn or already ski, Tuesday, August 23, is Ski Day at Porter Heights. Cheap rates and cheap transport have been made available so don’t miss this opportunity, but be in early. For ail these programmes and others, get in touch with the Recreation Officer at Queen Elizabeth II Park by telephoning 886-079.