North Canterbury (Hurunui district) has many sites and buildings of historic
significance. A small selection of the places open to the public are presented
here. Please note that entry is not necessarily free, sometimes admission is by
donation or koha and you may need to make special arrangements to view. Please
pay a visit and help keep our heritage places alive!
Remember to visit
the properties in the care of the Historic Places Trust - you can find out more
about those in the Canterbury region by clicking the map at right.
Acheron Accommodation House
Molseworth Road,
junction of Clarence & Acheron Rivers, Molesworth Station
The Acheron Accommodation House is the only one to survive
of seven licensed by the Nelson Provincial Council to meet the needs of travellers.
It was constructed from cob in 1863 and the license continued until 1932. Following
that it was used by musterers on St Helen's station and later Molesworth Station
until around 1954.
This hill country property has a restored pioneer cottage
dating from 1871, stables constructed from limestone and cob, the original sheep
dip and horse-drawn agricultural equipment. Tours are available by arrangement
with the owner. Contact Beverley Forrester 701 Karaka Road, Hurunui, RD Hawarden
Phone 03 314 4195 and Fax (03) 314 4196 Email: forrester_blackhills@xtra.co.nz
On homestead block
off former Cheviot Hills estate
The Domain is situated on the homestead block off the
former Cheviot Hills estate. Cheviot Hills, owned by William "Ready Money"
Robinson was famous for its size and also as the first major estate to be subdivided
for smaller farms by the Liberal Government of the 1890s.
The Cricket Club
House steps were the original Mansion House steps. The concrete foundations of
the mansion house are still clearly visible. The cricket grounds have been formed
on the former lawns and the 12 pear trees on the western side of the cricket field
are plantings from the original garden.
The former hospital is set in lovely treed grounds in
the heart of Hanmer Springs. Of special note is the Soldiers' Block built in 1916
to treat soldiers returning from the First World War. It has two distinctive octagonal-shaped
wards. The Chisholm Ward was built in 1926 for female patients suffering from
nervous disorders. The next door thermal springs contributed to the therapeutic
setting which earned a national reputation.
Open: Tours by the Queen Mary
Reserve Trust Sunday at 12.00 pm. Meet at the white gates, Amuri Ave.
This bridge was opened in 1877, replacing a 1874 bridge
which blew into the Waiau River. The bridge, of iron construction, was designed
by John Blackett and built by Anderson Limited of Christchurch.
The main feature of Weka Pass Historic Reserve is a
large limestone overhang shelter, containing examples of rock art.
A walkway
crossing farmland takes you to the rock art site - 40 minutes walking each way.
Weka Pass Historic Reserve is about an hour's drive from Christchurch.
There
are two entry points to the walkway - The Star and Garter Hotel on SH7 (parking
available at hotel), or from Waikari township.
Open: During daylight hours,
the walkway crosses private farmland. Closed during lambing 1 August to 1 October.
A historic rural railway using both vintage steam and
diesel-electric locomotives on a 12.8 km line through Weka Pass. This is part
of the original Hurunui-Bluff Main Trunk line built in 1882.
Open: The
train runs every Sunday in January and on first and third Sundays for the remainder
of the year.
Learn
more about the historic sites in the care of the Historic Places Trust located
in and around the