Ashburton: Art, Walks and River Trails

Ashburton combines art and heritage with walks, river trails and options for active pursuits. The town can be explored on short walks; those interested in architecture, exhibitions or recreation will find a range of other themes to help plan their trip. Which of these shapes your stay may also influence your choice of accommodation.

Art, history and a well-known landmark

Rokowhiria is an art and heritage venue in Ashburton. Its gallery space hosts changing exhibitions and installations featuring local and national art. As exhibitions change, it is worth checking the current programme before visiting.

Another prominent historical feature is the clock tower at Baring Square East, widely regarded as a landmark of Ashburton. The clock began running in 1904; Wilson Littlejohn installed it in the post office clock tower. The structure’s architecture has also been recognised: in 1978, the clock tower received an NZIA Local Award. In 2004, the New Zealand Institute of Architects awarded Warren and Mahoney an Enduring Architecture Award, recognising the structure’s significance.

Two historic and cultural town walks each take about 30 minutes. They offer another way to explore the town’s history and streetscape within a manageable timeframe. A short walk, a visit to an exhibition and a closer look at the landmark are different ways to get to know Ashburton.

Green spaces and trails around Ashburton

Ashburton Domain covers 37 hectares of open spaces, lawns, gardens and recreational facilities. Wedding ceremonies are often held in the rose garden. A fitness trail offers set exercises at different stations; the park thus combines landscaped garden areas with opportunities to exercise outdoors.

For a longer route, the shared-use Ashburton Hakatere River Trail runs from the Ashburton River Bridge on State Highway 1 along the river’s north bank to Hakatere on the coast. The trail is intended for walking, cycling and horse riding. Its route and range of uses make it a different option from the two historic town walks, each of which takes about 30 minutes.

Water, exercise and activities for different age groups

The EA Networks Centre has four swimming pools, a spa area and a steam room. The leisure pool includes a overflow channel and a lazy river, also known as a rapid river. The centre states that the steam room and spa area are kept at 38°C. Ramp access is available to all aquatic areas except the Learn to Swim Pool and the Spa Pool; this restriction is important if access to specific pools matters for your plans.

Ashburton Domain has a small playground for preschoolers next to its seasonal paddling pool. Ashburton Museum adds to the options with exhibitions and activity programmes for all ages. Its changing programme includes themed activities and crafts related to regional history, discovery trails, holiday programmes and special events for adults, school and community groups, as well as children. If you want to combine different interests during a trip, you can choose from aquatic activities, park activities and culture; the specific programme content varies.

More ways to explore Ashburton District

Ashburton District also has distinctive natural and cultural destinations. The area of Awa Awa Rata Reserve is known as Mahitahi and was a kāinga mahika kai, a place where food was gathered. Two walking trails lead to Scott’s Saddle or along the ridge. Hakatere Conservation Park covers almost 60,000 hectares of rugged high country, tussock grassland, beech forest, rivers and lakes. At Ashburton Lakes, visitors can swim, boat, fish, watch birds, camp and picnic. These examples offer a broader view beyond Ashburton’s cultural and urban experiences, while keeping the destinations distinct.

When choosing accommodation, you can first decide whether your focus is on Ashburton’s galleries, landmarks and town walks, or on other experiences in Ashburton District. This lets you base your search on the themes that matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations

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