Location
Five Acre Farm is located at the foot of Christchurch’s Port Hills, in Heathcote Valley. This special location is only 10 minute drive from central Christchurch, yet feels like a peaceful rural community. It is the unique microclimate that Heathcote Valley is known for, that allows for an abundance of orchards, farmland and stunning hill views.
Step out on foot, ride a bike or explore by car further afield. Five Acre Farm is an idyllic base for a stay in Christchurch that’s far more than just a little special.
Activities
There are many great walking and mountain biking tracks in the area. The Costal Walkway is a paved track following the waters edge from Ferrymead to Sumner and the Port Hills, that surround Five Acre Farm, are known for it’s walking and mountain biking tracks.
Five Acre Farm backs on to Ferrymead Golf Leisure Park with a golf course, driving range, mini putt and paintball. Just down the road is the Heathcote Riding School offering horse treks and farm rides. Or, if the wind is right, have a go at windsurfing, kiteboarding or stand-up paddle boarding on the Estuary near by, gear and lessons can be done through Goundswell Sports in Ferrymead.
Food & Shopping
Ferrymead is a 10 minute walk or 5 minute drive away and has all the amenities you could need: supermarket, restaurants, countless takeaway options, pharmacy. Ten/27 is a great cafe in the area, and Green Juice Bar has delicious fresh juices and beautiful food.
The Tannery is a boutique shopping and dining precinct, well known and loved by locals. Once a tannery, as the name suggests, the red brick and glass roofed building has been beautifully refurbished with amazing local clothing, art and homeware stores, a small cinema, and eateries. Nori Table has the best sushi in town and The Brewery is very popular for it’s craft beer, brewed on site, and woodfired pizzas.
Lyttleton
Lyttelton is a small portside town, just a 5 minute drive from Five Acre Farm, through Lyttelton Road Tunnel. The local community has a well known farmers market on a Saturday morning (10-2pm). Lyttelton Coffee Co. is great for coffee, brunch or lunch and The Shroom Room is a funky vegan cafe. SUPER and Nom Nom are both Asian Fusion restaurants high on our list. Perfect for a drink on a Friday or Saturday evening is Civil & Navel, a gorgeous little bar in the heart of Lyttelton with a great New Zealand wine and craft beer list, then continue your night at the ever popular and quirky Wunderbar for a game of pool and live music.
sumner & Taylors Mistake
Sumner Beach is Christchurch’s most popular beach, great for a weekend walk. Sumner hosts several good dining options, cafes and shops. Joes Garage and Dot.Com are great for weekend brunch. Le Xom is our absolute favourite, Asian restaurant. Red Snapper and Burger Stop for the kiwi classic fish & chip takeaway, perfect for eating on the beach.
Taylors Mistake Beach is just a 5 minute drive over the hill from Sumner. We often pick up fish & chips from Summer and take them over the hill to Taylors. Usually quieter than Sumner beach, unless the surf is big, beautiful “Kiwi bachs” line the rocks around the bay and there is a great walk, the Taylors Mistake Track, that leaves from the beach out to Godley Head and back (approx. 3km each way).