In 1983, the Jackson family saw a commercial opportunity with the 20-acre Freeway Orchard site on State Highway 6. On the main route between Christchurch and Queenstown, Kevin Jackson predicted a roadside fruit stall would reap its own rewards from tourism.

He was right. Latest figures show that 4,000 vehicles pass Freeway every day and in peak season 500 of those will stop off to buy fresh produce. Homegrown stone and pip fruits and imported produce from California, Chile and Australia are all available here.

The growth continues. The Jacksons are landlords to an on-site juice factory and offers keep pouring in for other culinary enterprises on this lakefront spot, which has become its own little goldmine.