Bullock wagons, pioneers, water and strawberries help describe some of the history, scenery and character to be experienced as you travel along South Canterbury's Heritage Trails.
South Canterbury lies prominently in the centre of the South Island. Bounded by the Rangitata River to the north and the Waitaki River to the south and stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps, South Canterbury contains a bounty of riches. Wonderful scenery throughout makes a fitting frame for everything from limpid vividly-coloured lakes to the simple buildings of the first European settlers.
Timaru is the principal town and it is from here that two of the trails begin. The Bullock Wagon Trail leads the traveller from Timaru to Mt Cook village and Twizel. This takes four hours direct (3 weeks return for a bullock wagon) but allowing time to explore the sites along the way it will take a day. The strawberry Trail travels from Timaru to Kurow passing through Waimate and takes three hours but at least half a day to explore. The Pioneer Trail is a circuit that can be easily picked up at Pleasant Point, Geraldine or Temuka. This trail takes three hours without a stop, but again will take at least half a day to explore.
Mt Cook - Aoraki, the highest peak in New Zealand is a prominent site on The Bullock Wagon Trail. The local Maori name for Mt Cook is Aoraki. It is named in an ancient Maori legend relating to the wreck of a canoe of the Gods. The entire complement of the canoe were turned into mountains, including the chief of the party named Aoraki. Mt Cook - Aoraki is visible from many places as you travel through South Canterbury. It is from Mt Cook - Aoraki that the mighty Waitaki River flows.
The history of Maori occupation of this area is only briefly covered on these Heritage Trails. The local Maori have requested that identifying sites and explaining their history be left to them and this is respected. If anyone has a particular interest in Maori history and sites, please contact members of the Arowhenua or Waihao Runanga at Temuka, or Waimate.
Don't let the grandeur of Mount Cook-Aoraki overshadow the places of our heritage, which are of a more intimate scale. Remember the Heritage Trails provide an introduction to South Canterbury. There is much more to see and do than is described, so don't hesitate to stop and explore. You can ski, fish, walk, tramp, canoe, ride, climb, picnic, camp , as you travel through. Give yourself time to meet the people, you will find South Canterbury is a very friendly place.
