Amberley: Discover the park, market and coast

If you are considering Amberley as a destination for a hotel stay, the town brings together several different highlights: a central park with history and recreational activities, a farmers market, the coast and a cycle trail. This mix helps you choose Amberley based on the activities you want to shape your trip.

Town centre: park, history and market

Chamberlain Park is in the centre of Amberley, on the western side of State Highway 1. There is a historic mud-brick house in the park, built sometime in the mid-19th century. The aviary in the park is home to several exotic birds and is managed by an Aviary Trust. The park is suitable for picnics, walks, ball games and using the playground equipment. Amberley is also home to the Charles Upham statue, a bronze sculpture in front of the Hurunui District Council buildings.

Amberley Farmers Market is in the centre of town, on the edge of State Highway 1. It offers fresh local produce and handcrafted goods, and attracts both locals and visitors. The market is held year-round every Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm in front of the Hurunui District Council buildings. Check the market date again before you travel. The one-day Amberley A & P Show has a different focus, with classes for horses, livestock, domestic dogs, handicrafts, art, cooking and local produce.

Beach and cycle trail

Amberley’s beaches are part of Northern Pegasus Bay. At Amberley Beach, you can fish and go for walks, with views of the mountains to the north and south. A short path leads from Amberley Beach to the mouth of the Waipara River. This lets you combine a beach visit with a clearly defined destination for a short walk.

The Amberley Area Cycle Trail reaches Amberley and ends at the corner of State Highway 1 and Grays Road. Features of the route include crossing the normally dry bed of the Kowai River and a section through a scenic farm. The short path from Amberley Beach to the river mouth and the cycle trail therefore offer different options: a path starting close to the beach, and a cycling route with a riverbed crossing and a section through a farm.

Sports and other recreational activities

Amberley Recreation Reserve has facilities for tennis, netball, rugby, squash and bowls. The reserve also has a 1.3 km loop track for walking and running, as well as a large dog-friendly area. This gives you a choice of several sports facilities, a loop of a stated length and an area for dogs.

Nearby, Amberley Golf Club has an 18-hole course at Amberley Beach. Amberley is also home to the MainPower Amberley Swimming Pool, a public pool with five lanes on Douglas Road; it operates seasonally. Before visiting, check whether the pool will be open during your trip.

In the Hurunui District

In the wider destination of Hurunui District, Weka Pass Historic Reserve was officially established in 1969. A 40-minute walk there leads to a large limestone overhang with examples of early Māori rock art. Access to the Māori rock art at Weka Pass Historic Reserve in Hurunui District begins at the Waikari Village Walkway; access points are at the Star and Garter Hotel on SH7 or from Waikari. The Waikari Village Walkway in Hurunui District is closed during the seasonal lambing period from 1 August to 1 October.

Discover more destinations: Hawarden, Hanmer Springs, Cheviot, Lyford, Leithfield, Gore Bay

Go to the wider travel overview: Hurunui District.