Visitors are always welcome at Cheviot Golf Club. The course is situated five minutes west of Cheviot township. It is 90 minutes (120km) north of Christchurch or 55 minutes (55km) south of Kaikoura off State Highway 1.
Green Fees for affiliated and non-affiliated golfers
$20 for 12 holes
$25 for 18 holes
NZSCR: Men 69.2, Ladies 70.2
Slope: Men 128, Ladies 118
Length: Men 6,147m, Ladies 5,038m
This unique 12-hole course is set on flat land with views to the Kaikoura Mountains. It is beautifully landscaped, with many trees and a small stream running through it, which comes into play on several holes. The clubhouse can be hired for groups or promotional activities.
Membership Fees
Full Member - $375
Restricted Member - $230
9 Hole Member - $230
Student Member - $115
Junior Member - $50
During the season, March – October, Men’s competition day is Saturday; Ladies’ competition day is Thursday.
The Cheviot Area and Environs:
The Cheviot Township is a thriving community and the centre for a number of visitor activities.
The Cheviot area, from the Waiau River in the north and the Hurunui River to the south, grew out of the first large farm station in New Zealand; it was bought by the Government to be divided up for settlement by farmers and rural support people. The original landowner, William Robinson, fought for many years to keep roads and the railway from crossing what has been described as his “kingdom” – hence the railway line to Blenheim and Nelson being originally routed through Waiau. His death in 1892 signalled the change in the rail route, surveying of the area and the creation of roads, farm boundaries and township plans in time for the first land ballot in New Zealand towards the end of 1893. The auction sale of stock and plant (included 120,000 sheep) took three days. The community's farmers were able to use the shearing shed sited beside what are now the school grounds. And even though the shed fell into disrepair, it was a landmark on SH1 until finally being pulled down in 1980.
Until settlement began in 1893 the only way for goods to arrive at the station and for wool to leave was via the beach and surf at Gore Bay and thence by an ingenious rope and steam tow at Port Robinson. Little remains of all this today, but visitors can look down and imagine the rail line running down the cliffs and out into the breakers. Ships would come into the sheltered port and tie up to the buoy. Small craft would be launched down the cliffs and out along the rails, guided by the ropes attached to the buoy. After being loaded, they would be winched in and up the cliffs to the sheds at the top.
The Parnassus area north of the Waiau River enjoyed a population boom as the railway was pushed through to Kaikoura and the Waiau River was finally bridged. The large sheep runs were also broken up for settlement by returned servicemen.
There are numerous cafés and dining options around Cheviot. The Cheviot Motor Lodge on the main road provides bistro-style evening meals and can cater for groups from 5-150 for special occasions. Accommodation options include Cheviot Broadview Motels, Cheviot Motel & Holiday Park, Cheviot Motor Lodge, B&Bs and home/farmstays. There are also camping grounds at Gore Bay and the Hurunui River Mouth.
On the southern boundary of the township is the Cheviot Hills Reserve and the remains of the once gracious Cheviot Hills Mansion. There are still plenty of examples of the English trees planted by the Robinson family in the heyday of Cheviot Hills Station in the late 19th century.
Cheviot Museum has a very well resourced collection of documents and mementos of the early Cheviot settlement. During the summer it is open on Sundays and at other times by request.
Gore Bay, 10km east of the township, is a very picturesque part of the Canterbury coast. At the southern end is a safe surf and swimming beach. Through the settlement, heading south up the hill, is The Cathedrals Lookout, from where you can look down on 1,000-year-old limestone formations that resemble the pipes of a cathedral organ. Continuing south on the sealed road, you drop down again to the Hurunui River. The Hurunui River Mouth is a good spot for catching salmon during the summer, while further up river, trout fishing is popular. Turn right and you return to SH1 at Domett.
The Waiau River, 10km north of Cheviot, is suitable for jetboating and fishing. The mouth of the Conway River (another 15km north) and Nape Nape Beach, south of Cheviot, are good surfcasting beaches.
For more information on the area, contact Hurunui Service Centre (03 319 8862) during business hours or visithurunui.co.nz
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