Eat, drink, play, live in vibrant Amberley
In the heart of the Hurunui lies the thriving town of Amberley. With a host of charming cafés and boutique stores, Amberley exudes a warm country welcome that invites further exploration of beautiful North Canterbury.
Shiny tractors in the local sale yards entice farmers to this town north of Christchurch, where the arrival of the railway in the 1870s kick-started Amberley’s evolution as an important farming service centre. These rural roots continue to enrich life here, where the Amberley Farmers’ Market is a Saturday morning treat for many. Another highlight for locals and visitors alike is the annual North Canterbury Wine and Food Festival, set under the oaks in Glenmark Domain. The fresh seasonal flavours of this region infuse Amberley’s café scene with deliciousness.
Just 40 minutes north of the city, Amberley is an escape from the rush of the everyday. The pace feels slower and more relaxed. With a vibrant arts and crafts scene, lovely little parks and reserves, and Amberley Beach nearby, it’s the kind of place that naturally brings people together to enjoy life. Amberley is also the gateway to the alpine resort of Hanmer Springs along with Waipara Valley’s vineyards, part of North Canterbury’s internationally renowned wine region.
As one of the region’s fastest growing towns, Amberley is coming of age as a lifestyle destination. With multiple large new subdivisions and a new retirement village approved in recent years, the town’s population is rapidly approaching 3000, with further strong growth forecast. For those putting down roots here, Amberley offers excellent schools, along with health and wellbeing services. A new three-level health and wellness facility is planned for the town, adjacent to Brackenfields Shopping Centre.
A real plus for Amberley is that everything is so handy, whether for work or play. There are some great local amenities on tap, such as the recently refurbished Amberley Pool and the Amberley Domain, a hub for sport and recreation events, agricultural shows, and leisure activities.
Amberley’s newest masterplanned neighbourhood – The Clearing North Canterbury – offers 123 build-ready sections (Stages 1–3) at a convenient location off Amberley Beach Road. When complete, The Clearing will have 400 sections in total. It is an ideal spot, closely connected with the town centre’s shops and cafés and with the coast just a short drive away. Sections are affordably priced and build-ready: titled and fully serviced, with fencing and engineered stormwater attenuation. The developer UWC Ltd – part of The Wellington Company Group – has made the most of this idyllic location to create premium, easy living in a high-quality setting. UWC and The Wellington Company Group, led by Ian Cassels, have an influential track record in urban development and a focus on revitalisation and community building. The Clearing is thoughtfully laid out with public open spaces, walkways, and highly planted wetlands. Proposed as part of the development’s next stage is a full community playground. With soft landscaping and fencing recently completed, it won’t be long before the first homes are being built here.
Brimming with interest, Hurunui’s seasonal events calendar includes a New Year’s Eve festival in a beautiful boutique winery (Rolling Meadows), off-the-grid dining (Fire and Feast), a half marathon through Hanmer Forest (Four Square Hanmer Half) and big touring acts. Six60 is stopping by in May for a gig at The Waipara Winehouse as part of their grassroots tour (already sold out). Winter is truffle season in North Canterbury, bringing opportunities to go truffle hunting with Kings Truffles. Founded in 2003, Kings Truffles is an innovative family business and a black truffle specialist.
Whether you’re planning to go truffle hunting or are looking for a new home, Amberley is the perfect starting point for exploring the vibrant North Canterbury lifestyle this autumn and coming winter.