Discover Kimbell: Clydesdales, Art and History

Kimbell offers a variety of reasons to visit: an all-weather horse experience, local art and several places with historical significance. At Silverstream Clydesdales, a family-run historical experience combines gentle horses with hands-on demonstrations. Historic addresses and the Silverstream Gallery offer other points of interest. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing between these highlights: a bookable experience, local art and Kimbell’s local history.

A Horse Experience with a Set Duration

Silverstream Clydesdales offers a 60- to 90-minute, family-run historical experience with gentle horses in Kimbell. The experience is all-weather and suitable for all ages and abilities; booking is required. Its duration gives you a clear guide for planning your day. Check the booking and operating conditions in advance if you plan to include the experience in your trip.

The experience includes harnessing the horses, pulling a sleigh and a riding demonstration. It showcases different aspects of working with horses, from practical tasks to a demonstration. Silverstream Clydesdales also offers horse hire for special events, weddings, proposals and photo shoots. This occasion-based service is separate from the historical experience. If you’re planning to hire horses, check availability in advance.

Historic Places and Local Art

Historic places in Kimbell include Walnut Cottage, a Category 2 Historic Place at 760 Fairlie-Tekapo Road. Cottage A is among the places listed in the Mackenzie District Council’s heritage register; its address is 565 Fairlie-Tekapo Road (State Highway 8). Cottage B2 is also listed there, at 25 Perambulator Lane. Stone Shed is another listed historic place, at 110 Three Springs Road. It includes the stables, bunkhouse and cookhouse. The different names and addresses give you specific points of reference if you’re interested in Kimbell’s local history.

Another cultural stop is the Silverstream Gallery, which showcases local art in Kimbell. Along with the historic places, it offers a perspective beyond the horse experience: you can also get to know Kimbell through its art and local history.

Food and Accommodation in Kimbell

The Silverstream Hotel Kimbell is located on State Highway 8 in Kimbell. The hotel serves Kimbell Burgers in the pub or beer garden and offers beer on tap. This gives you a clearly identified hotel address and two dining settings associated with the town. As menus can change, it’s best to check the latest details before your visit.

More to Explore in the Mackenzie District

The wider Mackenzie District destination offers other historical and scenic highlights. In Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd opened in 1935; it was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin and is a Category 1 Historic Place. On the eastern shore of Lake Tekapo, or Takapō, Takapō Regional Park covers 165 hectares. It has 24 km of cycling and walking trails, as well as a dog park.

For cycling enthusiasts, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail offers another way to explore the Mackenzie District. The trail is divided into nine sections and passes through Twizel. Its alternative route from Takapō, or Lake Tekapo, to Twizel crosses the Pūkaki Flats before reaching Twizel. The information about the church and park relates to Tekapo and Lake Tekapo; the cycle trail passes through Twizel. This helps distinguish Kimbell’s local experiences from the historical and scenic highlights of these other places in the Mackenzie District.

Discover more destinations: Fairlie, Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Burkes Pass, Albury

View the wider travel guide: Mackenzie District.