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The rite of passage into your roaring 40s can be a bumpy one. What better way to distract yourself from the age milestone by celebrating with a group of friends in a beautiful location, with luxury accommodation and surrounded by leisure activities.
So it was we found ourselves at Terrace Downs resort in Canterbury - the birthday boy's chosen venue and the perfect spot for a bunch of townies to blow off some steam.
The 50-minute journey from Christchurch airport to the resort is great for getting rid of stress as you drive through fairytale-style forests breathing in the crisp country air.
As you enter Terrace Downs, the winding road meanders through 220ha of lush pasture to the natural stone-crafted clubhouse, passing the stylish, private, self-catering villa suites dotted about the property.
The clubhouse and villas offer fabulous views across the resort's pristine, tree-lined golf course, towards the turquoise waters of the Rakaia River. In the background, farmland stretches as far as the eye can see, with snow-kissed Mt Hutt completing the scene.
When Kiwi buddies Jonathan Hendriksen and Tim Williams took over the reins at the resort in late 2007, they focused on transforming it into a place that's not just famous for its greens.
Says Hendriksen: "Our goal was to create a one-stop-shop with a rustic twist; a destination anyone can escape to any time of the year, to experience the best the New Zealand countryside has to offer." And it seems they're spot on: there's a slice of Kiwi heaven to suit all tastes out here, whether you're getting hitched, holidaying with the relatives, spending time with friends or attending a conference.
If you're the outdoorsy, sightseeing type, I recommend you chuck on a pair of trainers and explore the property on foot. The girls in our entourage did just that while the boys whiled away the hours collecting bogeys on the golf course.
For more of a bird's-eye view of the area there's always the option to saddle up and do a horse trek down to the Rakaia River, which also offers superb salmon fishing and jet-boating opportunities.
If you prefer wheels to hooves, blokarting or mountain biking in the Canterbury foothills are possibilities; hunting is also available, as is clay-bird shooting and archery.
In winter, ski bunnies will be tempted to tackle the slopes at Methven in the Arrowsmith Ranges, arguably one of the world's top heli-skiing locations. For this purpose, Terrace Downs offers a unique heli-taxi service, which takes you up to Mt Hutt in a speedy four minutes.
More winter-style fun can be had by taking a scenic flight across the nearby glaciers or building snowmen on the resort grounds (if the weather permits).
The resort is also child-friendly, with a kids' club and a petting zoo in which youngsters can get up close and personal with alpacas, kune kune pigs, goats, sheep and highland cattle.
With the kids happily occupied, mum and dad have ample time to indulge in the finer things at Terrace Downs - such as a luxurious in-villa massage, hanging out beside the cosy stone fireplace in the clubhouse with a glass of velvety red, or tucking into a juicy, dukkah-crusted venison loin at Avoca fine dining restaurant.
Suddenly, turning 40 doesn't seem so bad at all.
For further information, visit terracedowns.co.nz
