Winscombe, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Winscombe is a lightly populated locality in the southern part of the Canterbury
region of New Zealand
's South Island
. It is situated inland from Timaru
on State Highway 8
between Pleasant Point
and Fairlie
. It is located in a very rural setting.
The village is notable for being the terminus of what became the Fairlie Branch
railway line for a brief period. On 24 August 1883, the railway was extended to Winscombe from Albury
and its terminus remained in Winscombe until the line was opened to Eversley, just beyond Fairlie, on 9 January 1884. The railway closed in 1968, but some of the old formation can still be seen passing through the countryside around Winscombe.
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
region of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
. It is situated inland from Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
on State Highway 8
New Zealand State Highway network
The New Zealand State Highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Just under 100 roads in both the North and South Islands are State Highways...
between Pleasant Point
Pleasant Point, New Zealand
Pleasant Point is a small country town in southern Canterbury, New Zealand, some 19 km inland from Timaru. A service town for the surrounding farming district, it has a population of 1,222 and one of its main attractions is the heritage railway, the Pleasant Point Museum and Railway, which...
and Fairlie
Fairlie, New Zealand
FairlieUrban AreaPopulation:723Extent:Territorial AuthorityName:Mackenzie District CouncilPopulation:Mayor:Website:Extent:Regional councilName:Environment Canterbury...
. It is located in a very rural setting.
The village is notable for being the terminus of what became the Fairlie Branch
Fairlie Branch
The Fairlie Branch was a branch line railway in southern Canterbury which formed part of New Zealand's national railway network. Construction began in 1874, and at its farthest extent, it terminated just beyond Fairlie in Eversley...
railway line for a brief period. On 24 August 1883, the railway was extended to Winscombe from Albury
Albury, New Zealand
AlburyUrban AreaPopulation:Extent:Territorial AuthorityName:Mackenzie District CouncilPopulation:Mayor:Website:Extent:Regional councilName:Environment Canterbury...
and its terminus remained in Winscombe until the line was opened to Eversley, just beyond Fairlie, on 9 January 1884. The railway closed in 1968, but some of the old formation can still be seen passing through the countryside around Winscombe.