Road Trip to the Mackenzie: A Day in Geraldine and Fairlie

Begin your journey in the lush garden of the iconic Geraldine café, Verde. Tucked behind the Old Post Office Building off the town’s main road, the park like setting of this special café offers a tranquil start for a day on the road.

Fuel up with a decent breakfast such as smashed avocado, which comes with sourdough bread, beetroot hummus, dukkah, sprouts and poached eggs, or a sweet tooth’s dream, French toast, cinnamon sugar ciabatta served with berry compote, whipped cream, bacon and maple syrup. Top it all off with a cup of great coffee and you’ll be good to go on your merry way for the day.

You know that Old Post Office Building that you walked past on your way to Verde? Well, upstairs you’ll find the wonderful Susan Badcock Gallery, with an impressive array of art on display by the creative Badcock family.

Expect to view the stunning hand-coloured photography by Susan herself, paintings by her father John Badcock and grandfather Douglas Badcock, plus more members of the wider family as well as other local artists. The building has also been lovingly restored by the Braddock family.

Begin your tour with a browse through the visually appealing, purpose-built Barker’s Foodstore building. Glass jars galore await visitors, with practically the entire range of Barker’s production line from jams to sauces and beyond showcased and ready for purchase. There’s a tasting station and plenty of recipe ideas around too.

Next, head over the road to the Four Peaks Plaza and discover the Geraldine Cheese Company tucked in the corner. Makers of a diverse range of handcrafted small-batch cheese and retailers of quality delicatessen items, you’ll find everything for that perfect platter right here. Ever changing tastings of the more popular cheeses including blues and hard cheeses are available, and the fridge is full of such a selection that you will be spoiled for choice. Geraldine Cheese Company also produces a small variety of handmade fudge in distinctive flavours, for example, Liquorice Allsorts or Chilli Chocolate.

Now that you’ve picked up a few preserves and a bunch of cheeses, it’s time to grab some meat from the Geraldine Butchery. The butchery has been a Geraldine fixture for more than three decades, and continues to do business with the good old-fashioned values of supplying the best quality, local meat available. The knowledgeable butchers will cut to request, and share their expertise on how to cook a delicious meal for your friends and family. You can also pick up free range eggs and plenty of gourmet condiments here.

Before you leave town, swing by the cellar door at Humdinger Gin Distillery on Talbot Street for a tasting (and a bottle for later). Then pack up the car and settle in for the picturesque 30-minute drive through rolling farmland to the township of Fairlie.

That drive has surely made you a bit peckish, so first things first on landing in Fairlie: head to the famous Fairlie Bakehouse for a delicious pie. This family-run business is one of the most awarded and best-known pie makers in the country. Once you’ve sampled some of their flaky goodness, you’ll know why. Quality ingredients are of the utmost importance and the components of the pies are both fresh and handmade. The bakery even has its own butchery to guarantee the quality of meat. If you’re stuck for choice, we hear the most popular pie is the pork belly & apple, and for herbivores, the vegan pie is a real cracker.

With a pie (or two) under your belt, it’s time to stretch your legs along Fairlie’s main street, where a handful of standout independent stores punch well above the size of this little country town.

Start at The Little Red Fox, housed in a high-ceilinged, stone-clad building in the centre of town. The racks are filled with an ever-evolving collection of fashion for women, men and kids – from merino and linen staples to the latest from brands like Cartel & Willow and Antler.

Homeware lovers should make a beeline for Matilda & The Metalman, a gift and interiors store with a heart, where timeless ceramics, curated books, linen and quality kids’ wares make it near impossible to walk out empty-handed. Then round things off at 77 Art + Living, a welcoming independent gallery showcasing predominantly South Canterbury artists, alongside handmade jewellery and boutique fragrances.

If you’d like to pamper yourself before the evening, Remarkable Beauty on Main Street offers massages and beauty treatments with friendly, professional service.

Finish the day with a short drive west to the historic Silverstream Hotel in Kimbell. Refurbished by owners who have preserved the old while modernising the essentials, it’s a proper Kiwi country pub with honest, hearty food and a selection of craft beer on tap. Have a go at pool, or find a sunny spot in the beer garden for a game of pétanque. Just down the road, art lovers can also drop into The Garage Gallery, a roadside gallery showcasing striking New Zealand landscape paintings.

Carrying on the next morning? Continue along the Starlight Highway to Burkes Pass, where the roadside wonderland of Three Creeks is well worth a stop, before the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo come into view. See our guide to the best food and drink in South Canterbury for where to eat when you get there.