Top Things to do in Ashburton
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Ashburton, New Zealand
Discover the best top things to do in Ashburton, New Zealand including Skydiving Kiwis, Ashburton Aviation Museum, Trotts Garden, Air Rangitata Scenic Flights, Ashburton Domain, Ashburton Art Gallery, Smithfield Berries, Plains Vintage Railway, At Violinos, Hakatere Conservation Park.
Restaurants in Ashburton
1. Skydiving Kiwis
Overall Ratings
5 based on 353 reviews
SKYDIVE in NEW ZEALAND with the Skydiving KIWIS team...Just 50mins from Christchurch the #1 spot in Canterbury to do your tandem skydive! Nestled in the heart of Canterbury's majestic scenery, your mindblowing New Zealand Skydiving experience awaits you. Not only do you get to feel the rush of freefall reaching speeds of up to 200kph, your leisurely plane ride to altitude allows you to take in some breathtaking views of New Zealand along the way.At Skydiving Kiwis you are more than a customer,you're part of our New Zealand Skydiving family!We are proud to offer you a truly personal 'Kiwi' experience and pride ourselves on providing you with a memory for a lifetime. A memory you will look back on for years to come, always bringing a smile to your face! Photo and/or video options for your skydive are available so you can relive the joy with your family and friends as often as you like. So what are you still waiting for?!Book your tandem skydive NOW!!!
Reviewed By Susan R - Ashburton, New Zealand
We watched our nervous son being prepared for his birthday present of a Skydiving experience. We were most impressed with the care taken and the instructions given by the instructor. To give our son more confidence a friend of mine from Australia elected to also do a jump at the same time. The end result? Both jumpers arrived back on land with huge grins on their faces, saying they loved it and would do another jump sometime.
2. Ashburton Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By paw0308 - Rotorua, New Zealand
The Aviation Museum is hidden away at the airport (funnily enough) and is well worth the effort to find.
We were looking for something to do in Ashburton and the wife suggested the aviation museum. What a find! There are 2 hangers absolutely stuffed with beautiful old planes, many of them old warplanes. One not to miss is the Harrier Jump Jet...
The history of the airfield is also depicted throughout the displays, and was very interesting. It was good the way that they explained each aircrafts link into the NZ air history.
I'd strongly recommend visiting the museum if you have any spare time in Ashburton.
3. Trotts Garden
Overall Ratings
5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By NZMike57 - Christchurch, New Zealand
You need to pick your time to visit. On a grey September day it is a bit drab and boring. We found it quite expensive for what it was. However it would be an excellent place to attend a function or a wedding
4. Air Rangitata Scenic Flights
Overall Ratings
5 based on 24 reviews
Air Rangitata offer you scenic flights and charters from our base in Mid Canterbury, 20km's north of Geraldine, in the heart of the South Island of New Zealand. Our high wing Cessna 206 aircraft has Seating for five passengers and provides fantastic viewing and photo opportunities.Take a spectacular scenic flight to the destination of your choice, choose one of our set routes or take advantage of our charter service. Land in a remote valley for a picnic or to explore on foot. Let Arch show and tell you about such incredible sites as the breathtaking Southern Alps, Mt Cook National Park, Fiordland, Kaikoura, Marlborough Sounds, the West Coast glaciers, patchwork Canterbury Plains, and a multiplicity of braided river Valleys and gorges that are unique to the South Island of New Zealand.Scenic flights - Set routes or tailored to your own adventure.Charter flights - Group travel for business, or link up with other operators or airports.Hunting & fishing - now you can experience New Zealands world class reputation.Special deals - join us on facebook to take advantage of discounts and special deals.Gift vouchers - the present your friends, family or staff will talk about for years.More about Air Rangitata:Air Rangitata is a family business run by Arch and Norma King from their home between Geraldine and Ashburton, Mid Canterbury. They offer flexibility with flights and times to suit you and specialise in providing the highest standard of comfort with a personal and friendly service.We have lived all our life in this area and offer a wide knowledge of its history. We love showing people our awesome country.Our Cessna 206 has seats for five passengers, with each person having great views and opportunities for spectacular photography. Our plane is fitted with individual headsets for talking amongst yourselves and to hear the pilots informative commentary. We operate in accordance with the Civil Aviation rules and regulations.Our location in the heart of Mid Canterbury is so close to the South Islands best attractions, which means you get to experience the amazing scenery as soon as the plane takes off. Arch has spent all his life in this region and is highly skilled at flying in this area.
Reviewed By fionajane2015 - Christchurch, New Zealand
Our 1 hour scenic flight was a moments decision. The weather was clear and fine. Fresh snow had fallen. No other reason was needed. Arch made the flight even better with his running commentary and pleasant friendly manner. From Christchurch through Rakaia then all the way down Thompsons Track. Just over 1 hr 30 mins. A pleasant scenic drive. We even came across a large dairy herd on the road being moved to winter pastures. A lovely experience.
5. Ashburton Domain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Darryl-Jo - Canterbury Region, New Zealand
The domain is huge. It sits adjacent to State Highway 1 and is easily accessible from all four sides it encompasses and central to town. Beauitful huge old trees canopy many areas. Gardens galore, huge ponds abundant with ducks, and big open grassed spaces. There is a bird aviary and BBQ's if required. Walkers and runners happily meander through the many footpaths and tracks. It has many sporting events held there including: cricket (the oval) hockey, tennis, croquet and bowls. It also has a a fitness track around the domain with exercises at different spots. The children are well catered for with a great playground, paddling pool and bike track. A great place for exercising the dog. It's takes centre stage.
6. Ashburton Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
The Ashburton Art Gallery which began life as a volunteer driven and operated art gallery has developed in leaps and bounds over the course of the last 20 years. Through its ambitious vision and dedication to the cultural well-being of its community, the Gallery has in recent years become a small hub of creative and diverse activity. The Gallery maintains a full programme of Exhibitions throughout the year which promote and exemplify the works of local and national artists for the public. Exhibitions range from solo to group compositions and are sourced through the Gallery collection, the artists and other institutions.
Reviewed By Totti M - Carnoustie, United Kingdom
I understand this has now been open for around 18 months and it is certainly better than the previous one. I particularly liked the roll call of those who fell in World War 1 and the display of poppies The particular art exhibition was not particularly to my taste but that is not relevant. It's a lovely spacious airy building and worth a visit
7. Smithfield Berries
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Beautiful sweet tasting raspberries pick your own or buy fresh from our on farm shop. A genuine on farm experience.
Reviewed By Natasha H
We loved picking our own raspberries, they're so sweet and tasty! You really can't beat freshly picked fruit. We also picked some blackberries. The Ranui berries had already been picked lots, the remaining weren't ripe when we went so can't comment on them but the others are lush. I couldn't believe how cheap they were too - compared to the supermarkets- and they're WAY better. Must visit!!!
8. Plains Vintage Railway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Janlynnz - Whangarei, New Zealand
Need to time your visit for a day when the trains are running - check website. Brought back a lot of memories. Children would love the train ride. Good collection of vintage fire engines and a interesting wood working museum. Old farm equipment, traction engines and restored buildings.
9. At Violinos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By JellyBWA - Perth WA
We booked a nights accommodation at " At Violinos" for the 6 of us.
We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the quality of the cottage.
It contained 2 bedrooms, a small lounge and dining and kitchen.
Separate to the cottage was the sleepout where 2 of our party slept.
It was very comfortable for the night.
Not long after we arrived 2 hot loaves of braided bread was delivered fresh baked by the hosts. MMmm mmm. Yummo.
Outside the cottage, around the farm there were loads of areas or sheds or outbuildings housing all sorts of musical instruments and musical games.
Not being very musical ourselves, we still enjoyed it.
Later in the afternoon the host gave us a guided tour of the farm.
She showed how anyone can pick up some music (left for our use in a box) and start to make a tune from whichever apparatus she was showing us.
To compliment the lovely cottage, there was a beautiful garden at the back of the farmhouse
which was lovely to see.
Thoroughly recommend At Violinos for a stay or a visit.
10. Hakatere Conservation Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By lovetoroam00 - Westchester County, New York
Visiting Mount Sunday, a/k/a Edoras, was on top of my must-do for our South Island trip. The drive from getting off 72 around Mt. Somers to Mt. Sunday parking lot was about 50 to 60 minutes via Ashburton Gorge Road/Hakatere Potts Road. The road was gravel but fine for a 2-wheel drive sedan (the road was dry when we visited).
The hike to the top of the hill was pretty short, about 30 minutes one way with minor elevation gain. We crossed a bridge, walked through the cow pasture (with cows paying little attention to us), and made our way to to the top. The open 360 degree view was amazing! It was windy at the top but the scenery was even better than I expected. There were only another 2 or 3 persons in the area when we were there in the afternoon which greatly added to the epic atmosphere.
We drove up a little further towards the sheep station before turning around. We only had time to visit Mt. Sunday but the whole area has more to offer. This was a top highlight for our south island trip.
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