Canterbury Faire: The Site

Waipara Riverside Park, 437 Darnley Road, Amberley, New Zealand (see Google Maps or Google-Earth)

The Boy's Brigade Waipara Riverside Park is approximately 45-60 minutes north of Christchurch in the Hurunui wine region.

Canterbury Faire Site map, showing the main facilities and customary (coloured) and "commons" (white) camping areas. CLICK for larger image.

This is a large site with excellent indoor and outdoor facilities. The main camp buildings have sleeping accommodation and facilities for 100. There is a large hall, dining room and two carpeted lounges. The grounds are attractive with a recreation area, tent and marquee sites, and caravan points, as well as numerous water taps and BBQ pads. There is a formed swimming hole in the Waipara Riverbed adjacent to the site.

All buildings have electric lighting and electrically heated hot water. Toilets are available in the Great Hall/Quarters block, the Royal Ward, at the Tui Centre, and near the Mangy Mongol.

Canterbury Faire has a large marquee on the main field to provide a shady/dry gathering area in addition to the Great Hall and to house the Market, Court and other activities.

Please note that the quietest area is that behind the Tui Lodge (furthest area from the marquee and main tourney/war fields). Less-quiet campers should choose sites nearer the marquee and Mangy Mongol.

In some years, the CF site is subject to a TOTAL FIRE BAN. In practice, we have permission in those years to use GAS BBQs for cooking provided we use one of several locations spread throughout the site which have both taps and concrete pads, or similar non-flammable ground cover. Consult the gate staff or Steward for the location of your nearest such - you will also find them indicated (as "water supply" or "power and water") on the site map above.

Southron Gaard has a large storage facility at the site, with space available for private rental so you can store large, heavy or awkward stuff between events. See the guidelines here or contact the Baronial Constable for more information.

Take the extensive site photo tour here.