Waipara is a major wine growing region, a small town in north Canterbury, New Zealand, on the banks of the Waipara river (mainy these days a dry river!. Its name translates to "Muddy Water", wai meaning water and para meaning mud.
It is at the junction of state highways 1 and 7, 60 kilometres north of Christchurch. The beautiful Alpine village of Hanmer Springs is just 76 kilometres (55 minutes drive) north of Waipara. It is also situated on the Main North Line railway - The Coastal Pacific scenic passenger train route.
Waipara lies at one of the points of the Alpine Pacific Triangle - which also includes the major tourist centers of Hanmer Springs and stunningly beautiful coastal town of Kaikoura where "mountains meet the sea".
