CHEVIOT

Cheviot is a small but prosperous farming town servicing some of the largest sheep stations in New Zealand. It is also strategically located on State Highway One making a convenient stopping spot for travelers looking for a good Café.
The town has a nice medical centre, fire, police station and ambulance. It also features a Hotel, Motels, Restaurant, School, Supermarket, Chemist, Hardware, 2 Fuel stations with Garages, Honda Farm Motorcycles, Cafés, Farm Supplies Store, Trucking Depot, Hairdresser, Butcher, 2 Pre-Schools, Council Office, Museum, English style Domain, A&P showground’s and 12 hole Golf Course.

CHEVIOT HILLS DOMAIN

Originally the grounds of the Mansion House dating back to the 1860’s, this large garden and tree park is now a reserve and administered by the local reserves board. It is a great place for enjoying the outdoors.
The local cricket club have developed their grounds in a central portion of the extensive park. On either side are mature Oak forests with thousands of daffodils planted beneath, making a spectacular display every spring! Twelve original pear trees still flourish in the central park, they represent the 13 Apostles and provide free pears to those that know about them. New plantings have been designed to complement the mature trees. A river and road meander through the reserve with many walking tracks leading into the trees, the longer routes are marked.

A&P SHOWGROUNDS

Every March Cheviot hosts the local A& P Show in extensive grounds and buildings built for the show. This is an important and fun event with many events, competitions and stalls. At one end of the grounds is the Cheviot Rugby club.

GORE BAY

Wonderful swimming and surf beach that lies between Cheviot township and Manuka Bay. It has many holiday houses along the southern end along with several camping grounds. It is good for fishing and diving and is now being recognized as one of the best beaches on the east coast of the South Island. It also has walkways, waterfall, and the rock pools at the southern end team with sea life.

SEA FISHING

All along this coast from the Conway river in the North to NapeNape Beach in the south good surf casting is found. Many species are caught including Kahawai, Blue Cod, Lemon Fish, Gurnard and the odd Salmon.

SALMON AND TROUT FISHING

Both the Hurunui and Waiau rivers fish well. In March the Cheviot Lions Club host the Cheviot Salmon and Trout Fishing Contest with some good prizes offered by the sponsors.

 

WHITE BAIT FISHING

White Bait is a famous NZ delicacy, both the Hurunui and Waiau rivers offer fantastic netting of these spawn fish at or near the river mouth. The waters are clean and provide very nice tasting fish.

 

JET BOATING

Once again both the Hurunui and Waiau rivers are good for boating, both have boat trailer access, a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended for launching. The rivers are navigable most of the year and have a good variety of scenery and some exciting gorges.

 

 

KAYAKING

The Huranui River and the Waiau River are large mighty Waterways, both with different characters and challenges, offering interesting Kayaking. Between them both are Manuka Bay and Gore Bay with rocky headlands offering some diverse sea canoeing. This is a superb coastal environment but is away from the common tourist destinations so most of the time you feel you have this un-spoilt place to yourself.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Becoming a popular sport in NZ, this area has many mountain and coastal trails. In February is the local Mountain Bike Race from Culverden over farm trails to Cheviot, it is called “The Kaiwara Klassic”.

HARNESS RACING

Cheviot has a Horse Harness Racing Club and Track which hosts a local and national race day.

HUNTING

The most common hunting in the area is for wild pig, many farmers permit hunting on their land as wild pigs can do damage to pastures and cause problems at lambing time. The forests and river valleys deer can be taken. If you want smaller game then rabbits are always available and in season duck and pheasant.