'Darfield' is a
town in the
South Island of
New Zealand. It is located 45 kilometres west from the outskirts of
Christchurch, New Zealand on
State Highway 73 (''The great Alpine highway'') and the The town is on the
Midland railway line, route of the famous
TranzAlpine train service. Its population (2001 census) is 1,362.
Darfield is the main town between Christchurch and the
West Coast, New Zealand. It is often called "The township under the
Nor'west arch", in reference to a characteristic weather phenomenon, which often displays an arch of cloud above an otherwise clear sky to the west of the township. This is caused by the condensation of water particles channeled upwards over the
Southern Alps. Darfield has a high school which covers a large area and many stores selling goods and services.
Darfield lies in the Malvern district's arable and pastoral farming area. It is a gateway to the scenic
Waimakariri and
Rakaia Rivers and the Southern Alps, and is also a popular lift-off place for hot-air
ballooning.
Born in Darfield
★
Mary Clinton (May 8, 1960), New Zealand field hockey player
External links
★
Selwyn District website