Experience North Canterbury

Kaiapoi, Oxford, and Rangiora are an integral part of North Canterbury, satellite towns with thriving business communities and plenty to attract day trippers, weekend warriors, and holiday makers.

Things to do in Oxford

Tucked into the foothills of the Southern Alps, Oxford is known its great eateries, gift shops, art gallery, museum, and numerous family short walks in reserves and forests. Surrounding farmland and pockets of native forest make it a natural wonderland for getaways, with or without children.

Highlights include the Oxford Sunday Farmers market with more than 25 stalls, live music, and entertainment, the Oxford Museum, Ashley Gorge River walks and swimming holes (in summer), and nearby Cust with quirky shops.

Closer to town is Mears Track, a 20 minute loop walk, 4km from Oxford township, suitable for people of all abilities and fitness, through a stand of native bush with native plants identified along the way.

Things to do in Rangiora

A few kilometres north of Christchurch, Rangiora is also home to a booming shopping centre, museum, art and concert venues, and numerous walking/cycle tracks.

Rangiora holds a Sunday Market, on the third Sunday of the month, increasing to fortnightly in summer. A classic rural market, it includes home baking, local artists, school groups fundraising, and professional pop up stall holders.
The museum is full of the area’s history, and boasts its own pseudo cob cottage, complete with furnishings reflecting the era of the day.

A popular gathering place for groups and families is the Northbrook Wetlands, a creative recycling waste water scheme, while within the town’s boundary is Matawai Park, a four hectare area with native vegetation, spacious paths, seating
and easy access.

Things to do in Kaiapoi

Another Kiwi heartland area, Kaiapoi is bustling with things to do, and places to see.
From shopping to sailing, and a bit of sightseeing, it is full of options for relaxing or more energetic enterprises.
The town boasts a museum, library, rhododendron garden, and art galleries, while having plenty of walking, cycling, and motorbike tracks, beaches, and fishing spots.
A must-visit is the town’s i-Site on Williams St, where you will find plentiful information, maps, and advice on what to do and where to go.
Water-based activities are numerous, including fishing, sailing lessons, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking, and more sedate river cruises.

MARKETS

KAIAPOI FARMERS MARKET Morgan Williams Reserve,
Charles St, Kaiapoi. Every Saturday, 10am–12pm.
OHOKA FARMERS MARKET Ohoka Domain, Mill Rd, Ohoka. Every Friday, 9am–12pm.
OXFORD FARMERS MARKET Main St, Oxford.
Every Sunday, 9am–12pm.
OXFORD CRAFT MARKET Oxford Town Hall, Oxford.
First Sunday of each month, 10am–2pm.
RANGIORA CHURCH STREET MARKET St John’s Anglican Church Grounds & Hall, Cnr of Church and High Sts, Rangiora. First Saturday of each month, 9.30am–1pm.
THE DELICIOUS MARKET 179 Lehmans Rd, Rangiora,
Mon-Fri 9am–2.30pm.