Favourite Resorts of Motorists

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1790, 8 November 1919, Page 5 (Supplement)

Favourite Resorts of Motorists

Expressed in the grandeur of mountains, meandering rivers, miles of sea beaches, the placidity of lakes, serenity of forest and bush and the green of undulating downs, Nature has been generous to this province of Canterbury. This beauty, in the majority of cases, is readily accessible by means of the well-beaten track; but sometimes it is necessary to go into the lanes and by-ways. Space does not suffice to deal with all the places that deserve mention, and, at the same time, provide an adequate description

of them. It is, therefore, the intention here to refer to a few of the more popular and ■widely-known resorts. Akaroa, 56 miles distant from Christchurch, is a spot that appears to be specially designed by Nature for the holiday seeker, the invalid in search of health, or those interested in New Zealand history. Both scenically and historically the Peninsula is of great interest, and the popular resort, is without a peer in the Dominion as a favoured resting resort. Many leading men who have visited the haven have extolled its virtues, and the bush and mountain scenery, climate and surroundings would be hard to surpass. Nestling in a cosy nook, with a very fine harbour, the town may be reached by water, but the majority of visitors make the journey overland by motor car. Starting from Christchurch, a run of 30 miles finds the visitor at Little River, and from there it is 20 miles over the hills to Akaroa. After leaving Little River the cars begin the sixmile ascent, culminating at Barry's Pass, 1400 ft above the sea. A large expanse of one of the finest harbours in the world encircled by volcanic hills meets the eye. The view on a fine morning is magnificent. When the Hill-top is reached the motorist may go to Akaroa via the Summit Road, than which, from a scenic point of view, there is probably nothing finer in the world. Instead of turning to the right and going down the hill, the motorist must go straight on. The road leads for 14 miles along the summits of the hills. The view from there commands the ocean, the plains, the far-distant mountains, and the bays below. Ashley Gorge, a beautiful picnicking and camping spot, is reached after a 45-mile run from Christchurch, through Rangiora, Cust and East Oxford. Ashley Gorge, rugged in its beauty and clad with virgin forest, is a very popular resort. Rakaia Gorge, which is 52 miles distant from Christchurch, is rugged in character and has some fine stretches of bush. Mt. Hutt can be seen in the distance. The route to Hanmer lies over 87 miles of roads, for the greater part good. The journey up is rendered interesting by a variety of level, undulating and mountainous country, and before Hanmer is reached gorge scenery of a magnificent character is met with. Hanmer, itself, though possessing little bush, is a pretty spot nestling among foot hills. The air is particularly bracing

and health-giving, and the Hanmer Springs always attract attention. Kaikoura is 120 miles from Christchurch. Although it has no trees or towering heights, Kaikoura's beauty is stz'iking, while its situation, with an outlook on the ocean and the lofty Kaikouras, is quite unique. The wonderful sunrises and sunsets to be seen at Kaikoura are indescribably beautiful. Kaikoura may be reached by an inland route via Cheviot or along the coastline. The trip to Mt. Cook may be made by tak-

ing the road through Geraldine and Cattle Valley, or by going through Timaru to Fairlie. Mt. Cook is one of the highest snowpeaks in the world, and its fame as such has given the mountain a world-wide reputation. Mt. Cook alone is a sight worth crossing the world to see. How much more worth while, then, is it to make a journey to see the mass of mountains, which rear their crests to the skies on every side of the. picturesquelysituated Hermitage." The vicinity of Lake Coleridge makes a

picture that is well worthy of the tourist travelling the 68 miles between there and the city in order to view it. The blue waters of the Lake itself, rippling in the sunshine, the distant snow-covered mountain peaks, the silence broken only by the songs of the birds, are features that make an irresistible appeal to all lovers of the beautiful. Probably the most popular hill drive in the vicinity of Christchurch is that to Kennedy's Bush. The magnificent panorama of mountain and plain which can be obtained, to-

gether with the health-giving qualities of the invigorating atmosphere, attracts large numbers of motorists to this charming piece of what remains of the Canterbury bush. The bush itself is a valuable museum of the botany of Canterbury. There are also other stretches of valuable and beautiful bush, notably that at Kaituna, which will be tapped by the projected Summit-Akaroa road. Kaituna Bush is a lovely spot, which will spring into greater prominence with the completion of the road. Peel Forest is a favourite picnicking and camping resort, on the south bank of the Rangitata River, at the foot of Mount Peel. It is about 85 miles from Christchurch. Rich in virgin forest, and deeply-wooded, rugged gorges, Peel Forest is one of the beauty spots of New Zealand. Typical New Zealand ferns grow in abundance, and the picture is completed by several small waterfalls. Of these falls the Largelly and Lynn deserve particular mention. Good trout fishing may be had in the vicinity of Peel Forest. Kairaki Beach, 15 miles from Christchurch, near Kaiapoi, is a popular resort. Coming nearer home, New Brighton and Sumner are sufficiently well known to all. The mouths of the Rakaia and Selwyn Rivers, which are 39 and 24 miles, respectively, from Christchurch, enjoy a wide popularity with people seeking a change, or those who are fond of the rod and line. Lake Ellesmere, 21 miles from Christchurch, provides good shooting for sportsmen, and good trout fishing may be had in the Selwyn River near by. Governor's Bay, a great pleasure resort, and an interesting field for geologists and botanists, is situated opposite Lyttelton, from which it is distant six miles. There is plenty of rabbit shooting and good fishing close at hand. Little Akaloa, Okain's, Robinson's, Le Bon's, Long, and Duvauchelles Bays, and Takamatua, are all delightful spots within easy reach of Christchurch. Canterbury in general and the vicinity of Christchurch in particular are singularly blessed in the matter of resorts" bf rare charm and distinctive rural beauty. The fact that the province contains within its borders resorts, the fame of which is Dominion, and, in some cases, world, wide, is another very strong factor in building up the reputation of the province as the chief motoring centre in the Dominion.