The beauty of Aotearoa always takes my breath away. Drive in any direction and you’re surrounded by the luscious countryside its so well known for. The gorgeous scenery is one of my favorite parts about driving from Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula. It’s a microcosm of Aotearoa with a landscape that changes fluidly from rolling green hills to craggy rock formations with two big lakes and a serving of ocean on the side.

We drive out to the Banks Peninsula every week or so. We have family in the area and gather in the tiny town of Little River for lunch and a coffee to start our day. Little River is the very definition of a quaint wee town with unexpected gems. You can find Little River along State Highway 75, about 45 minutes from Christchurch. It’s not very big, blink and you might miss it, and you would be sorry you did!

Little River is a cozy little township with a great café, little shops, a museum, the information center, and more wrapped in a charming atmosphere. Despite its small size, Little River has a lot to offer. It’s very artsy and boasts an art gallery of unique paintings, carvings, jewelry, and sculptures. The gallery is connected to the Little River Café. There are walkways in both that extend into the back where larger art installations feature throughout the garden. There is more outdoor seating in the front of the café. A little shop attached to the other side of the café (it also has its own front door entrance) where you can stock up on snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and other necessities for your travels.

This little section of Little River includes a great playground for the kids, a train museum, and walking trails. On Sundays, you can visit the Little River Outdoor market. There is live music, delicious foods, and vendors selling an array of products, from trinkets to candles, plants and fresh sausages. Little River boasts other eateries, like Junction Coffee & Eats, the Little River Inn, and the One Next Door, which is located next to Silostay (oh, we’ll get to Silostay next).

Little River has a lot to offer the outdoorsy types. There are hiking and bike trails in the surrounding hills, like the Christchurch-Little River Rail Trail, built along the line of the old Little River Branch Railway, which used to haul timber into the city. Te Oka Reserve Track is a challenging trek for those who prefer a more arduous hike. And check out the native bush along the Manaia Native Habitat. Other outdoor activities include fishing for trout, perch (redfin) and eel from surrounding rivers and the lakes, Ellesmere (Te Waihora) and Forsyth. For the true outdoorsy types, bring your tent or rent a caravan and stay at the dog-friendly Little River campgrounds.

If camping or glamping (Little River has that, too) isn’t your thing, check out their mix of B&Bs, farmstays, cottages, and a red bus. There are more accommodations than you would expect from such a small tiny town along the highway. That includes Silostay, the most unexpected hotel you have ever seen in a place as small as Little River. Silostay is a small B&B made completely from corn silos.

Yeah, silos. The kind that are usually full of corn and other grains. These silos aren’t full of grain, they’re full of luxury accommodations with round walls and big windows to enjoy the views. It’s the cutest little hotel I have ever seen and staying a few nights is definitely on my bucket list. I have included links to Silostay and other accommodations at the end of the post.

There is so much more to this tiny little town. The original Little River Branch Railway station reinvented itself as the prime spot for information, second hand shops, and the train museum. Behind the revamped station, is one of the original trains with a few cars still attached. If you have kids (even big adult size “kids”), they’ll love it!

For full list of all the things to do, places to see, weekend markets, and more, check out the Little River Wairewa Community Trusty website at https://littleriver.org.nz/. Check out the rest of the photo gallery below. In my next Love Letter to Aotearoa, we will visit one of the coolest places I have ever been as my adventure continues on the Banks Peninsula.

Where to stay:
silostay
Holiday Houses for Rent in Little River
Bookabach
Little River Campground

Maps to Little River
From Christchurch to Little River
From Akaroa to Little River