Category Archives: Events & Activities

Thinking of heading to Christchurch? Here's a rundown as to how to spend two days in the celebrated Garden City with Christchurch Bella Vista Motel & Apartments.

Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport, make sure you pick up a rental car to make the most of the region and the city.It takes about 30 minutes to drive from the airport to the central city.  Bella Vista Motel Christchurch is on Bealey Avenue well placed to explore both the City and surrounds.  There are many attractions within walking distance and Bella Vista offers free on-site car parking.

In the evening you could check out events at the Isaac Theatre Royal and catch a touring musician, comedian or performer.  This heritage venue reopened in late 2014 and the rebuild of the interior stayed true to what it looked like prior to the infamous 2011 earthquake.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens comprise of 30 hectares and are an enjoyable way to spend some time amongst the native and exotic plants.  There are plenty of walks through the gardens which are bordered by the Avon River and Hagley Park.  Spring is a great time to take in the Daffodil Woodland in full bloom.  Also check out the Visitor Centre which opened in 2014 and is a visually interesting multipurpose space inspired by glasshouse. This is a lovely 30 minute walk through the city into the centre of the park from our motel accommodation in Christchurch. 

Punting on the Avon is next up.  You can follow the river through the Botanic Gardens or through the City.  The 30 minute round trip on a locally made wooden punt comes with commentary from an Edwardian themed punter.  The Botanic Gardens route launches from the Antigua Boat Sheds, 2 Cambridge Terrace, which have been beside the Avon River since 1882.  The sheds, which are Category 1 historic buildings, survived a fire in 1907, as well as the 2010/11 earthquakes.  Inside you will find some old time memorabilia including a line-up of blazers that have been collected over time from local high schools.  This is also the place to hire a kayak, row boat, or Canadian canoe if you want to navigate the river yourself.
 

The afternoon may be a good time to drive out to the suburb of Woolston for some lunch and retail therapy.  The Tannery, 3 Garlands Road, is a boutique shopping and dining destination.  With a focus on recyclable and renewable materials, brickwork that was damaged in the February 22, 2011 earthquake has been restored as a façade on the rebuilt buildings.  There is an emphasis on local products here.  Try the award-winning Cassels & Sons craft beer at The Brewery.  If wine is more your thing, neighbouring Gustav’s Kitchen & Wine Bar has one of the largest wine lists in the Country. 

The Woolston area has a connection to the arts.  Kiwi reggae band Salmonella Dub recorded an album here; other musicians have used The Tannery for album launches.

Then head for the Port Hills and take a gondola (cable car) ride, 10 Bridle Path Road, to the top.  From almost 500 metres above sea level, you will see Canterbury laid out before your eyes.  Look out at the Southern Alps, Banks Peninsula, Lake Ellesmere, Lyttelton Harbour, Pegasus Bay, the Pacific Ocean and Kaikoura Peninsula. It's only 20 mins drive from the Christchurch motel nz for a little R&R before getting a bite to eat. 

For an evening meal make your way towards the area around Victoria and Madras streets and Worcester Boulevard  and within that area you will find plenty of dining and bar options for a night out.

After a good nights sleep at the Bella Vista motel ease into the day with a walk through The Commons, on the corner of Kilmore and Durham Streets.  The vacant lot is a hub of transitional activity and home to the Downtown Farmers Market.

A car trip to New Brighton is interesting.  The New Brighton Pier is the biggest ocean pier in Australasia.  After that, the Southern Pegasus Bay track takes you along most of the shoreline in both directions and offers up many photograph opportunities.
 

The Beach Cafe, on the corner of Beach and Broadpark roads is a buzzing neighbourhood that is a great spot to refuel. 

Back in the CBD, the transitional work is worth a look.   The Transitional Cardboard Cathedral constructed on the site of the former St John’s Latimer Square Anglican Church and the ReStart Mall, made from shipping containers are two examples of the innovative ways Christchurch is moving forward.

Then take a look at the Christchurch Art Gallery in Worcester Boulevard where the city’s latest public artwork has been installed.  The 46 metre long work was created for the city by the prestigious British artist Martin Creed and tells one and all, in neon letters more than metre tall, that everything is going to be alright.

With 23 motel or apartment units, Bella Vista Christchurch is a four star Qualmark endorsed motel offering quality and convenience. We look forward to your stay!

The Ashburton Aviation Museum is well worth a visit during your stay at Bella Vista Ashburton and located at the Ashburton Airport. This is a great activity and is well worth the visit no matter the weather.

Ashburton has a strong aviation history, being a training base in World War 2. At that time, there were 50 Tiger Moths based there. The original tarmac and tie-down rings are still there to this day which helped to secure the planes from Mid Canterbury’s strong nor-west winds.

There are over 20 aircraft on display in the Two Museum Buildings and more in the work shop. These include Devon, Vampire FB5, Harvard, Porterfield, Airtruk, Benson Gyro Glider, Weihe Glider, Hughes Helicopter, Olympia, Flying Flea, Harrier GR3, Canberra B2 Bomber Cockpit. F8 - Meteor, Zlin, DC3, Vampire T11, Link Trainer, Slingsby T31, Bergfalke, Cropmaster, Tiger Moth. The museum is also home to the Southern DC3 Trusts Historic Airliner ZK AMY. The latest acquisition is a Thompson Refueller, one of only 9 on display worldwide.

The museum is open to the public every day everyday between 1pm and 3pm. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:30am to 3pm. Entry is $10 per adult, children are free.

Bella Vista Motel Ashburton’s recommendation is on a nice day, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after you explore the Museum. Pending the weather, you may be able to watch other planes take off and land and skydivers landing. A picnic table is there to enjoy, please ensure you take your rubbish away when you leave.

For more information about Mid Canterbury, Ashburton accommodation or additional recommendations on activities while in the area, please contact [email protected] or 03 307 7505 today. Bella Vista is a four star quality Ashburton motel situated only five minutes from Ashburton town centre and five minutes from the aviation museum. 

Come and celebrate Victorian history with Bella Vista Motel Oamaru during the Victorian Heritage Festival which runs from 16th-20th November 2016. 

This year Oamaru is opening the door on the intriguing world of 'Medicine in the Victorian era'. The festival offers a host of events and there's plenty on offer to experience Oamaru's bygone age.  Here's our top 10 things to do:

1. Dress up, have fun, look stylish as the Victorian's did. Visit the Victorian Wardrobe with a huge selection of garments for hire
    
2. Penny Farthings, wheels, big and small. Watch the penny farthings as they speed around the precinct, and then there is the Tyne Street Grunter – let’s see how far they can climb up that rather big hill!
   
   
    
3. Kick your heels up and dance the night away – a formal ball, a barn dance or two, and an afternoon dance for those that don’t want to stay up late.
    
4. Dine like you’ve never dined before - breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning tea, or afternoon tea in the gardens, or at Totara Estate with Thomas Brydone only 14 minutes drive from our Oamaru motel. The choices are endless.
    
5. Entertainment every night, shows of all types – some a little risqué, some with a murder to solve, a twist or two, a couple of comedians, a hypnotist, music and more.
    
6. Parade. Watch as the Grand Heritage Parade works its way up Thames Street and then back to the Victorian Precinct
    
7. Tours by foot or by bus. Take a look at our history with one of our informative tour guides.
    
8. A slice of our history. Listen to a lecture, visit a historic site or building, see the machinery of yesteryear at work.
    
9. Take a stroll. Visit the Museum, Art Gallery, Library, the Public Gardens, and the shops – special displays for this year’s theme for you to view
    
10. And just when you thought it was over try the Network Waitaki Victorian Fete. Yes finish the week with a day full of entertainment, music and stalls with something to tempt you all.

So come and join us for an enjoyable visit and choose to stay at our Oamaru motels

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Looking for a getaway that offers a change of pace, and a beautifully unique experience? 

Escape to a world of peace and tranquility and discover Mid Canterbury from new heights. Hot Air Ballooning is magical experience and a flight with Ballooning Canterbury offers panoramic views across the fertile Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. 

No matter if this is your first time to Mid Canterbury or you frequent Bella Vista Ashburton for business - There is nothing else as exciting as floating while you are effortlessly over an ever changing Mid Canterbury landscape. It provides a completely different and beautiful perceptive, no matter the season.

Ballooning Canterbury is a family owned and operated business, just like our Bella Vista Ashburton. Ballooning Canterbury also operates three modern balloons with the latest technology and safety equipment, and can carry from 2-30 passengers at once and larger groups by arrangement.

Michelle and Paul from Bella Vista Ashburton can help arrange your ballooning adventure when you book your stay. Plus, with our friendly wake up calls and continental breakfast packages we will help ensure that you are up early and ready for an exciting day as your hot air balloon flight typically leaves around 6AM, depending on the season.

After your exciting day in the air, Bella Vista Ashburton can provide a delicious recommendation for lunch or dinner in Ashburton. You will be amazed by all the options in our town and the level of comfort offered by the best Ashburton accommodation provider. 

For more information about Mid Canterbury and additional recommendations on activities while in the area, please contact [email protected] or 03 307 7505 and ask for Michelle today.

Haere Mai Hokitika! Described as a ‘cool little town’, Hokitika serves a great place to stay, a gateway to the West Coast, and a pretty cool destination in its own right – not least as the celebrated host of the annual Wild Food Festival. Hokitika can also uniquely lay claim to both the Tasman Sea and Mt Cook as the scenic backdrop to its picturesque setting.

There is so much on offer in the town; Enjoy exploring the vibrant arts scene, delve into eclectic mix of independent stores, soak up the pioneer spirit at the Hokitika museum, seek out your very own personal Pounamu, or simply relax at some of the many fantastic eateries including Ocean View Restaurant and enjoy some true West Coast hospitality.

Situated right on the beach, Hokitika is compact and easy to explore by foot. On fair weather days, be sure to take a late afternoon walk to the aptly named Sunset Point as you’re guaranteed a spectacular West Coast sundowners. 

Beyond the town itself, you have the option to take a daytrip to the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier to the south, or Punakaiki Pancake Rocks to the north. Closer at hand, however, are a couple of scenic gems which are a little off the beaten track.

Hokitika Gorge is a must-do, an incredibly impressive natural formation set within lush native bush. Make sure you take time to stop at Lake Kaniere on the way. The calm tranquility of Lake Mahinapoua is also well worth a visit as is a loop drive that includes Goldsborough, an historic gold-mining town. For those wanting to get a little more adventurous, try the excellent West Coast Tree Top Walk or get up in the air with Wilderness Wings and take a scenic flight over the Southern Alsp and see Mount Cook up close.

Hokitika can be easily reached. Direct flights arrive frequently to Hokitika airport courtesy of Air New Zealand or jump in a car for a breathtakingly scenic three hour journey from Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass.

If you are set for a visit, we would definitely recommend you find a copy of  Eleanor Catton’s Man Booker Prize novel ‘The  Luminaries’. It’s a great way to introduce you to the old port town of Hokitika and what life was like in the mid-1860s gold-rush times. It’s an absorbing read full of interesting characters. Many of the locations described in the book can still be found as you wander around town.

And finally, before we forget, you’ll need some accommodation in Hokitika. Motel accommodation is possibly your best choice with Bella Vista Hokitika offering everything you need and only a stone’s throw from the town centre. If you do stay at Bella Vista Motel Hokitika you are in great company - Eleanor Catton stayed in Room 16 whilst promoting her book in March 2014.

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Fancy a free trip to Hokitika? Well here's an amazing opportunity. Visit the Bella Vista Facebook page Make sure you click LIKE  and leave a comment as to why you want to visit Hokitika and you’re in the draw to win a two night stay with some fabulous inclusions. Refer to www.bellavista.co.nz for full details. Competition closes 4pm, 2nd September 2016. Good Luck! 

Come to Ashburton, stay at Bella Vista Ashburton and see ‘Ultimate’ which showcases one of the world’s greatest music legends, David Bowie. If you are a David Bowie fan, an incredible night awaits you on August 18, 2016. 

The legacy he left his New Zealand fans is a superb catalogue of music from a stellar 40+ year career and the memories of his many visits to these shores for concerts that have gone down in folklore as some of the biggest ever staged on Kiwi soil.

In an authentic celebration and salute to David Bowie, aka Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, Showcase Entertainment Group and Pacific Entertainment are pleased to present the UK's No. 1 David Bowie tribute show ULTIMATE BOWIE starring Ed Blaney as David Bowie to transport you across the 40 years of Bowie, from Spaceboy to Superstar.

Ed not only possesses Bowie's awe-inspiring vocal prowess but is also the definitive look-alike, commanding the stage and faithfully bringing alive the many sides of Bowie's chameleon personality with precise detail, supported by a seven-piece band.

Ed Blaney's ULTIMATE BOWIE delivers a stunning two-hour show of Bowie classics, from "Space Oddity" to "Let's Dance" to David's latest massive hit "Blackstar".

The Ashburton Trust Event Centre is located a convenient 1.7km away from Bella Vista Ashburton and this one night only showing of ‘Ultimate’ is already a popular hit and selling out fast! Tickets for this event can be purchased from ticketdirect.co.nz

Ashburton has a lot to offer visitors and we encourage you to explore more. For more information about upcoming events, activities and must do attractions in Ashburton please give Michelle, Paul and the team at Bella Vista Ashburton for more information. Bella Vista Ashburton still has a few rooms available for the ‘Ultimate’ performance, giving you the opportunity to plan a night or a well-deserved long weekend away from home. Contact [email protected] or 03 307 7505 today for more information.