Discover Ashburton District

Ashburton District offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: coastal landscapes, rivers and mountains sit alongside cultural sites, historic collections and options for active days. Which of these you choose to focus on makes a noticeable difference to the experiences you choose – from waterside trails to thermal pools or snow activities.

Landscapes between park, mountains and coast

Ashburton Domain is a 37-hectare open space with lawns, gardens and recreational facilities. A rose garden, mature exotic trees and seasonal flower beds shape its character. Families can enjoy a paddling pool, a small playground for preschoolers and a learn-to-ride track that older children can also use with skateboards or roller skates.

The Hakatere Conservation Park encompasses very different landscapes: almost 60,000 hectares of rugged mountain country, tussock grassland, beech forest, rivers and lakes. Wakanui Beach lies on the east coast of Ashburton District. The area is notable for its significant biodiversity and has walking tracks. This means coastal walks sit alongside trails through mountain and bush landscapes.

Trails, rivers and outdoor activities

The Ashburton / Hakatere River Trail follows the Ashburton River from Melrose Road to the sea at Hakatere. This easy walking and cycling route is a practical option for anyone wanting to explore on foot or by bike. There are several walking tracks and river access points at Rakaia Gorge. The Ashburton Lakes offer a different focus, with opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, birdwatching, camping and picnicking.

The Methven Walkway passes through scenic farmland, follows rivers and winds through bushland. At Mt Hutt, the Summit-Six chairlift rises to 2,086 metres above the Canterbury Plains, with views stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps. Mt Hutt Snowsports School offers beginner lessons, children’s programmes, private coaching and multi-day programmes. Check the current seasonal dates for these offerings before your trip.

Cultural history and special places

The area of Awa Awa Rata Reserve is known as Mahitahi and was a kāinga mahika kai – a place where food was gathered. The reserve is also a picnic area and a destination for day trips. Two walking tracks lead to Scott’s Saddle or along a ridge. The combination of cultural significance and walking tracks makes this a different kind of excursion from the historic railways and collections in the district.

Plains Historical and Vintage Railway has historic locomotives and steam engines. The Pioneer Village includes a railway station, a church, a cottage and recreated shops, as well as a blacksmith’s workshop with a working forge. Tinwald Domain has further heritage attractions, including historic trains, museums, model railways and collections of historic machinery. Educational offerings on the cultural and social history of Mid Canterbury and Aotearoa are available at the Ashburton Museum.

Thermal experiences and planning your trip

Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa is a thermal bathing and wellness destination in Methven. The Discovery experience includes family-friendly thermal pools with a lazy river and water play features. Tranquility, by contrast, is for adults only and includes a swim-up bar and a restaurant serving regional flavours. This distinction can help with planning if you’re looking for a shared bathing experience or an adults-only option.

Discover places in Ashburton District

Also discover Ashburton, Methven, Mayfield, Hinds and Mount Hutt.

Discover more destinations: Timaru District, Waimakariri District, Kaikōura District.

For the broader travel overview: Canterbury.