Ashburton,Methven
and Rakaia Gorge
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Ashburton
Located south of Christchurch on State
Highway One.
Ashburton Community Pool, 25 Walnut
Ave, Ashburton. Ph: 03 308 4020
Ashburton Vintage Car Museum, Maronan
Road. Ph: 03 308 3392
Mt Hutt |
Mt Somers
Methven
It is hard to imagine that the Canterbury
Plains were once forests. But through man's presence here forests have
given way to the large plains we see today.
Methven is situated at the
edge of these plains and is only 25 kilometres from
Mount
Hutt ski fields and 92km west from
Christchurch, which means that in
winter you will need to book your accommodation in advance!
Things
to do
- SWIMMING POOLS
-
- Methven has a swimming pool which is open in summer only.
- Other things
to do
- There are so many activities to
choose from in the area,
including a
vintage and classic car museum. Horse riding is available,
with rides for everyone in the family from the first-timer to the more experienced riders. Or, if you feel a bit more adventurous, why not take the
children on a jet boat ride or jump on the bikes and take the children
along the Methven Walkway.
Methven Walkway
This is an easy one to three-hour walk along the
grass verges beside the Ranitata Diversion Race. The walk is used by
both walkers and those on mountain bikes and makes for a fun day
out. The walks starts and finishes at the Methven i-Site.
|
The Square,
Methven
Ph:
03 302 8105
|
Main Street, Methven
Ph:
03 302 8103
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Rakaia Gorge Walkway
This walk is an easy three hours
return and starts at the Rakaia River off Route 72. The walk is five
kilometres long and goes through forest and shrub. Keep the children
interested by seeing if they can find the historical site of the
ferryman's cottage or the site of the home guard fortification.
There are, of course, the old coalmine shafts that are visible
during the walk. If the five kilometre walk sounds too much, then
why not get one of the jet boat operators to take your family up the
Rakaia Gorge and then do the walk back to the carpark at the start
of the walkway?
High
Country Horse Adventures, Rakaia Gorge. Ph: 0800 386 336 or 025
305 601 www.horsetrek.co.nz
Rakaia
Gorge Scenic Jet, Rakaia Gorge. Ph: 0800 435 453 or 03 318 6515
www.rakaiagorgescenicjet.co.nz
Rakaia
Gorge Alpine Jet, Rakaia Gorge. Ph: 0800 538 2628 or 03 318 6574
www.rivertours.co.nz
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Mt Somers
The small town of Mt Somers is at the
base of Mount Somers, which rises to 1687 metres high. Near the
town are some easy walks for the family to do.
Woolshed Creek
Woolshed Creek has a large grassy
area, suitable for both picnics and camping. A welcome relief to
parents will be that there are toilets here.
There are two easy walks to do while
visiting Woolshed Creek, taking anywhere from 40 minutes to
two hours. It really depends on how far you want to
walk!
These are the Nature Trail
which will take you around 40 minutes to do the return trip, and
Sidewinder Track, taking you around two hours for
the return trip.
Sharplin Falls
Not far from the town of Mt Somers,
along State Highway 77, is the town of Staveley. In Staveley turn off
to the Sharplin Falls Scenic Reserve where you will find a picnic
area with two large pools — both suitable for swimming. There is an
easy one-hour return walk to the Sharplin Falls. The children will
enjoy the large swing bridge over the Bowyers Stream and of course
during summer might want to take their togs with them for when they
reach the twin falls.
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Mt. Hutt
Mt Hutt is the largest ski field in
Canterbury and only 25km from Methven. The ski area is suitable for
families with gear hire and skiing schools.
-
Mt Hutt Ski Area, PO Box 14, Methven.
Ph: 03 302 5074
www.nzski.co./mthutt
- Five hours from Christchurch city is Mt Hutt.
With its superb
snow and long season it's a must-do winter destination for
families.
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- Emergency Contacts
-
- For emergencies requiring
Police,
Fire or Ambulance - Dial 111
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