Clan Donald Canterbury: Visit to Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch

On Sunday 3 April, Clan Donald Canterbury members visited the Ferrymead Heritage Park, located in the Heathcote Valley, at the site of New Zealand’s first public railway.

Ferrymead features an early 1900s township and has a variety of restored houses, cottages, businesses, a school, post office, stables, church, and railway station.

Early Christchurch restored houses and cottages are open to viewing.

 

Businesses on the main street

 

One of the volunteers in the print shop explains the operating of the press, watched by Raewyn Hinton, Margaret Donald, and Ann Smith.

 

The Park is also home to a range of groups and societies with historical themes, mainly transport related.
There is a large array of heritage exhibitions and displays that are open for viewing. These displays are owned and operated by individual societies and staffed by volunteers. Displays include fire engines, aeroplanes, cars, printing, photography, farm machinery and much more.

 

One of several restored trams which operate at the park.

 

Pictured on the tram (left to right) Raewyn Hinton, Margaret Donald, Ann Smith, Alan MacDonald, and Andrew Muskee.

 

One of the park’s three Vulcan Railcars about to depart Moorhouse Station.

 

We enjoyed our visit, including the ride on the tram and the Vulcan railcar and could have easily spent longer viewing the exhibits. However, having already requested our secretary, Margaret Donald to delay our lunch booking once, we ran out of time. To finish the day, we enjoyed a wonderful pub Sunday lunch at the nearby Valley Inn.

 

The Valley Inn, Heathcote Valley