I’m doing a little roadie from Christchurch and am going to lake Tekapo and Mount Hutt. I’ve heard that South Island pies are the best and was wondering my if there were any place people recommend that I stop at
When covering the Springfield mixed train, I originally did not intend to cover the historically connected Whitecliffs branch. My focus is primarily on passenger trains rather than freight, and this line saw very little passenger patronage. However, the question of why the railway deviated to Darfield was raised.
The answer largely comes down to coal. Christchurch desperately needed it, and importing it from Australia was expensive. While coal was found in the Malvern Hills, transporting it was difficult. In 1867, when the railway reached Norwood (then called Selwyn North), coal was hauled there by horse from Coalgate. Travellers followed this same route, which is still called Coaltrack Road today.
The Provincial Government knew a better solution was needed. They built a narrow-gauge railway up to Kirwee, intending to split the line: one branch to Malvern North, and another heading towards South Malvern via Darfield.
However, once the track reached Darfield, they shifted their focus. Malvern North (Sheffield) became the higher priority because it had both coal and passengers wanting to transfer to stagecoaches bound for the West Coast.
Despite this pivot, the South Malvern line was completed the following year in 1875. There were even plans to extend the railway further to Lake Coleridge, going so far as to future-proof the terminus bridge over the Selwyn River for combined road and rail traffic. This rail extension never eventuated. When the Lake Coleridge Dam was eventually built in 1914, materials were transported over the route by road trains pulled by traction engines instead.
During the Victorian period, the line enjoyed steady traffic driven by local industry and agriculture. The hills provided excellent clay for bricks and pottery, and local coal fired the kilns. Substantial wheat and sheep farming in the area also helped sustain the route. The South Malvern brickworks closed early in 1903, but the Glentunnel operation survived until 1983. By the 1920s, concerns regarding the line's overall economic viability were beginning to surface.
Passenger traffic was always very light because it was a secondary branch line. Lacking a direct connection to Christchurch, travellers were forced to transfer at Darfield for the Springfield or Greymouth trains. Passenger services were briefly replaced with a bus in 1928. When this proved too expensive, rail services returned in 1930 using a combined passenger carriage and guard's van, but this ended in 1949. Highly seasonal Sunday excursion trains also operated for hikers until 1954 and steam excursions took heritage locomotives trains up the line to see the "old railway route".
Despite some attempts to save the line, it was ultimately closed in 1962 due to its lack of profitability, and the tracks were subsequently removed.
Stations on the line:
Discussions with family and mates have thrown a few ideas. What names have you heard so far?
I tend to get a bit bored when I do the same thing for a few weeks at a time so I tend to bus into chch for a "lets do something", which is generally just going to some stores around CBD area that aren't in North Canterbury.
I think I might go in sometime during the week to do this but I feel like I am falling into a routine of going to the same places, I might get a ride in go to Ric Mall look in Kmart at stuff (generally dog stuff) then take a bus into CBD and go to Riverside, Moorehouse Paknsave, Kosco, and pick up small things here and there - love the Bellbird Bakery btw 10/10 breads
The thing is when I walk around the CBD or suburbs "main street" there really isnt anything to do that isn't super expensive and/or not awkward for a person to do, like everything is either expensive, made for groups or combined both.
Like I don't care about going to the movies by myself, expensive, but take ENTX with the Mini Golf and Bowling, its kinda weird and awkward to do that by yourself. Also a bit sad that ENTX is basically just another eatery - great vibes but like, its just another Little High imo.
Anyway to get to the point of the post - What are some places to go to, things to do for a solo person that isn't stupidly expensive and relatively weather friendly
I wonder how much this helped us to get that victory by 1 point. Psychological warfare and all that
Let me preface by saying I know it’s shit food. Don’t go there if you don’t like the food. I know, I got what I deserved, but that being said, thought we would give it a go for the first time in awhile.
Honestly how do they stay open? Their pricing is out the gate! Satay chicken main meal $45! Sorry what? Shit food can be good if the price matches, but this feels criminal
Who is this Greg guy that Horncastle keeps referring to on his socials?
He doesn’t seem to elaborate as to why, surely somethings happened between the two?
So this arvo our much loved red toboggan grew legs at Mt Hutt and wandered away with someone else, leaving behind two very sad children.
I can't seem to find anywhere that's selling them anymore. Two or four or so years ago The Warehouse, Torpedo7 and some others had that type of stuff.
Today? Nothing. A few places renting them out. Or Facebook Marketplace for some slim pickings.
Any idea where to grab some locally-ish?
Now back to our old toboggan. It was very common for some sightseers to take it without asking, it would happen multiple times a day, every single day. Most would give it back when asked without issue, or we'd tell them to just put it back when they're done and it was fine. Heck, some even asked before taking it.
But today, it did not return :(
Sadly by the time we discovered it disappeared the snowfall came in, reducing visibility to that of about a bees dick so it wasn't possible to call in the rescue helicopter to do an air search for it.
There is an almost two year old child with this being their third year on the mountain that simply can't wait to ride one again. (Try to work out that math).
Whats a side hustle you can do right here in Christchurch?
hello, I’m stuck with a dead car at new Brighton and I have no one available to help me. can someone help me jumpstart my car if you’re in the vicinity?
thanks a bunch.
Heya guys,
Does anyone have a roofer in Christchurch they’d genuinely recommend for an inspection?
Not really after quotes etc more just someone who’ll tell me if anything needs fixing, maintenance etc, rather than trying to sell me a new roof, as there’s something obvious to my eyes, more for peace of mind!
Obv expecting/happy to pay for their time. Bonus if they’re familiar with older homes and internal guttering.
I was just at Couplands Linwood and the staff was no greeting (not even a polite hello, or price. He said nothing to me at all). Is it the norm? Because he was courteous to the customer before and after mine.
Thoughts?
For me, the pre game was sensational. I was sat there and thought several times thank God the stadium was built, to deliver experiences like these.
Have been a few times now, and I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the place. Half time lights thingy was cool. Enjoyed dance cam. Game was great. Only negative was playing music when the game was on - personally I think it’s very annoying. No music during the halves would suit me just fine. But overall, simply superb. Christchurch on the up!
Did anyone else watch the game? Well done on the ABs but my goodness, we're going to need some better handling skills if we want to be the best.
French side was a B team and we just edged them. But imo, France had what it took to gut the ABs tonight. Too many knock ons. If France punished us for these mistakes, we would have lost.
Source: I was at the stadium (epic btw).
Anyone else agree) disagree?
Anyone else noticed that recently the ecoshop prices have gone crazy? Especially for speakers and receivers, I used to buy all of my sound equipment from there as it was a cost effective and fun solution to DIY home audio setups, but recently they've started charging like $200 for amps that dont even have the volume knobs attached. The whole point of buying stuff from a store like that is that you get a good price but you have to know what to look for and figure out what works with what.
Hey guys 👋, I'm moving solo to chch from Perth, WA and I was wondering what some good spots for dinner ideas that's good but affordable (not saying im expecting $10 meals just give me your opinions and ideas!) Or any type of food place around thanks!