Leithfield is a small town in North Canterbury. It's on State Highway 1, just south of Amberley (5 kilometres). Leithfield consists of two semi-districts. Leithfield Beach which is to the east of SH1 and Leithfield Village which is to the west of the State Highway.
The coastal settlement of Leithfield Beach would be an ideal spot to get away from it all. The holiday homes and houses are well maintained - the narrow streets are quiet without footpaths. It had a peaceful atmosphere.
First I stopped at the beach to take a walk.
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| Great place for a swing. |
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| Not a soul in sight. |
At the northern end of the campground is the Kowai Lagoon. It's popular for bird sighting, although it wasn't my lucky day.
As I wandered the streets I was struck by the sweetest smell. I found the source - a climbing rose. Mmmmm it smelt divine!
Seaside daisies added splashes of colour - on the sand, beside the road ...
Leithfeild school has six teachers and has been educating children for 150 years.
There's an easy walk between Leithfield Village and Leithfield Beach known as the 'Kowai Walkway'. It starts at the end of the road behind the historic 'Leithfield Hotel'.
A snippet of history if you're interested ...
The Leithfield Hotel was built in 1855 by John Leith. It included stables and an accomodation building adjacent to the hotel. Made from mud block with a thatched roof, it provided an overnight place for travellers to stay, including the CoBB and Co coaches and passengers.
Leithfield is one of the oldest townships in Canterbury, it was founded in 1857 by John Leith as a coach stop. It also provided services to the surrounding farms and milling areas.
In 1863 Leithfield boasted one of the first flour mills in North Canterbury - the only one to be powered by wind.
