MORE TO SEE IN AMBERLEY

Chamberlain Park in the centre of town is shaded by tall trees. It has an aviary, a playground and a Chinese garden with an oriental footbridge. Cob Cottage, an historic heritage building, has been re-sited in the grounds.

Amberley Beach Walkway, close to the golf course, is an easy 20-minute walk through lush surroundings and water features.

Check out Pams Pantry on Carters Road, which isn’t a pantry at all but a new style of supermarket in which 90 percent of the stock is the Pams brand and all checkout is DIY.

Also on Carter Road is a large and gloriously chaotic store called

Mumma T Trading Lounge, which has an absorbing assortment of vintage, antique and collectable treasures.

Amberley is sometimes referred to as Hurunui’s Pantry, partly because of its reputation for good produce, but also for the wealth of wineries, cellar doors and vineyard cafes of the Waipara Valley nearby. There are around 28 wineries in the area.

A popular farmers’ market is held every Saturday morning outside the council building on Carters Road.