Burkes Pass, gateway to the Mackenzie region in the centre of the South Island, is reached 15
minutes before arriving at Lake Tekapo (when traveling from Christchurch). Nestled at the foot of the 709 metre (2326 feet) high
mountain pass, is a tiny historic village and my day-trip travel companions and I made a short stop here when
visiting Tekapo last May.
It was fun to wander around the collection of antiques and memorabilia
on display, some of them being for sale.
Also in the village are old buildings that were mostly erected
in the 1870s. A 30-60 minute meander
along the Heritage Walk will take you to see places like a church, the former
hotel, an old school, a musterer’s hut, a saddlery, several cob cottages (built
of clay and tussock), and a cemetery. We left this walk for another day in the future, as we
were running out of time on this visit.
There are meant to be some lovely picnic spots around the village, so this would probably be a good place to visit during the summertime.
Don't you just love exploring old villages?
Margaret.
That looks a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteWe have a place not too far away, where the buildings hold old fashioned crafts, glass works, blacksmith, printers, pottery and a huge woodworking area, we love it there.
ReplyDeleteMany of the signs seem to be North American and the term gasoline is used rather than petrol. The whisky of choice is Jim Beam; Texaco signs predominate. Is this supposed to replicate North America?
ReplyDeleteWell spotted David! I too wondered about there being so much North American stuff - I think it must have been the person who collected it all. This place was more of a shop and I don't think it was meant to represent the actual village. I would love to return to this place and explore the village itself with its old buildings, many of which are set up like mini-museums (so the pamphlet for the Historic Walk says!).
DeleteI would have loved to visit there! Sorry it is too far away, nice that you can visit it for me :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place for a wander! I would love to explore there.
ReplyDeleteI would love to wander around there...I so enjoy looking at old stuff. I don't have room in my house so I don't buy, but I look and take pics.
ReplyDeleteLikewise Rose :) I still need to downsize more, but pictures are a great way to store things!
DeleteThat's a nice little village to browse about. We don't have many of that kind in Canada, at least not that I've ever seen. Maybe we're too young a country? Or maybe in Eastern Canada.
ReplyDelete