Top Things to do in Ashburton
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What to do and see in Ashburton, South Island: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Ashburton, New Zealand including EA Networks Centre, Air Rangitata, The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum, Hakatere Conservation Park, Ashburton Aviation Museum, Trotts Garden, Erewhon Station, At Violinos, Smithfield Berries, Ashburton Art Gallery.
Restaurants in Ashburton
1. EA Networks Centre
2. Air Rangitata
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 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.
3. The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
The Plains Railway & Historical Museum was founded by the Ashburton Railway & Preservation Society in 1971 to preserve the Mid-Canterbury regions past. This is home to Historic Steam Loco's: Ja1260, K88 and A64 plus a collection of shunters. A 2.5 kilometre vintage railway features amongst a recreated village, complete with replica and authentic buildings and a vast rural history display ranging from horse drawn gigs and wagons to tractors. Open days commence from September to May, check our Website or Facebook page for operating days/hours and prices. Entry to the Complex is via Donation. Working Voluntary Members are onsite 6 days a week, and will show you through the complex if its not an official operating day. Also onsite is The Ashburton Fire Museum which has the largest Private Collection of Vintage Fire Vehicles/Equipment and more in NZ. Find us on Facebook: The Plains Railway & Historical Museum
Reviewed By MrBubbles07 - Christchurch, New Zealand
Great little heritage railway with beautiful locomotives, lots of other machinery and displays to see
4. Hakatere Conservation Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By WeDreamOfTravel - Texas, United States
Our family took a two-week vacation to New Zealand and Australia and, being fans of the Lord of the Rings books and films, our intinerary included visiting filming locations in New Zealand. This is an easy, free, DIY experience that will take your breath away. Using GPS, it's easy to find Mount Sunday (the filming location of Edoras) by car. As you approach the location, the road turns to gravel and all signs of civilization disappear. You see fences along the road, but nothing else to indicate that humans have touched the land. It takes awhile of driving on gravel, so slow down and soak in the outstanding natural beauty that surrounds you. The approach to Mount Sunday is stunning, and if you're a fan of the films you'll recognize Edoras immediately. There is a car park and a farm gate that locks to prevent the cattle from getting out. There are black Angus cattle wandering in the pastures you will walk through, and they do what cattle do, so look where you step. They watched us but left us alone as we picked our way through their pasture. The walk to the base of Mount Sunday is pleasant, scenic, and gentle on the muscles. Once the incline becomes steeper, you may be tempted to stop climbing. That would be a huge mistake. Adjust your technique, pause to catch your breath, but keep going. The view as you climb is spectacular, so you can use the excuse of taking photos to rest a bit. The wind was very strong so if that's the case when you visit, you'll want to secure all your items before climbing. The view from the summit is unbelievably stunning. You have 360 degrees of mountainous splendor to admire. No sign of human life, you'll feel alone in a spectacular world of raw natural beauty. This climb, challenging as it was for some of us, was a high point of the entire vacation. It cost nothing but time, and even our LOTR-indifferent family member was thrilled by this visit. If you plan a visit to the South Island and admire natural beauty, whether you are a LOTR fan or not, this excursion may be one of the best things you could do on your trip.
5. Ashburton Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By robmJ3532YH - Blenheim, New Zealand
These volunteers have achieved a museum well worth visiting. For anyone aviation interested, there is an amazing collection of aircraft. The museum is well laid out and easy to move around, and with individual explanations.
6. Trotts Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
A renown garden which has international acclaim. Considered outstanding for its horticultural value in plant material,design and construction. The whole garden is a peaceful paradise, blooming with and array of colourful flowers, trees and shrubs.
Reviewed By zhuhai2007 - Christchurch, New Zealand
First time visitor and I highly recommend this for families, garden lovers and photographers - a treasure around every corner. Entry is free although a donation is requested - and strongly recommended as they get no council funding and all the work is done by volunteers! Picnic tables are a bonus.
7. Erewhon Station
8. At Violinos
9. Smithfield Berries
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Beautiful sweet tasting raspberries pick your own or buy fresh from our on farm shop. A genuine on farm experience. CLOSING FOR THE SEASON 19TH JANUARY 2020 Frozen fruit available all year around.
Reviewed By khayeAl - Akaroa, New Zealand
so much fun with the kids and whole family picking raspberry and taking millions of photos. the raspberries are just amazing. would love to recommend and come back again
10. Ashburton Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 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.
