Ashburton

Stop and enjoy the quality shops, restaurants, art galleries & museums.

Lake Hood is the perfect recreational area for all water lovers. Top class facilities support visitors, sporting groups, and conferences regularly arriving in town... more info >>

Methven

Home of Mt Hutt, some beautiful backcountry and a special mix of people.

Methven is located one hour south of Christchurch just off the Inland Scenic Route 72. The thriving rural town is at the heart of a whole host of activities and experiences... more info >>

Mt Somers

The gateway to one of the top ecotourism locations in Canterbury.

Mountains, lakes, endangered birds, vast landscapes, waterfalls, mountain streams, braided rivers, and a LOTR film location makes this a must-see destination... more info >>

Rakaia

One of the world's best examples of a braided river and a great fishing spot.

Rakaia, a rural community 50 kilometres south of Christchurch, sets an immediate impact on its visitors with its landmark salmon and 1.8 kilometre bridge spanning the Rakaia River... more info >>

Just the Boyz are back
The Variety Theatre Ashburton presents..more info >>

 

Mid Canterbury Mountain Bike Club River Track Race & Ride
A 14km loop senior race on river track, 14km for non race goers, 6km loop face for juniors. Spot prizes. BBQ and refreshments available after the event...more info >>

 

The Flash is Back in Hotel Ash

The Ashburton TRUST’s mainstay, is an Ashburton icon known to many locals as “Flash Ash” or, officially known as Hotel Ashburton & Conference Centre.
 

A $1.8m refurbishment completed in March 2012 has embraced the Hotel’s classic 70’s styling.  The changes are immediately apparent as you walk in to the new look reception area with new ceilings, feature lighting, new carpet, furniture, bright colours and signage.
 

All rooms are ground floor and access is via a u shaped corridor system which has experienced a makeover complimentary to the reception with new carpet, vibrant wall colours, and new ceilings and enhanced lighting.
 

The standard and superior rooms have enjoyed a soft refurbishment upgrade to bedcovers, curtains, cushions, clocks and most tv’s, whilst the 18 new Deluxe rooms have been completely recreated. 
 

A previously disused area adjacent to the pool has been converted into the Clearwater Poolside restaurant with the addition of new windows, finishes, furniture, lighting, server and patio. Overlooking the pool and internal garden it is a great space to relax and enjoy the local cuisine.
 

A previously split level area which was part corridor and part restaurant, has been reformed into a multi functional space known as the Clearwater Gardenside. By raising the floor and removing built in furniture units and structures, the architect has created a new conference / restaurant / bar area with relaxing finishes and furniture strategically placed to look into the exotic garden and water feature.
 

With 54 rooms, 280 free off street parks, a lounge bar, public bar and plenty of room to the relax, the flash is definitely back in hotel Ash. Come and experience it for yourself. Book now on www.hotelash.co.nz Please note however the website is also due to experience a refurb in keeping with the hotel and as yet does not do the property justice.  

  

 

  

 

 

 

Mid Canterbury - Ashburton District- Latest News

THE TOP IMAGE OF 2011 – ANNOUNCED

By DigitalGlobe | Published: January 10, 2012

And the winner is…The Rakaia River in New Zealand!

The Rakaia River is in the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand’s South Island. It is one of the largest braided rivers in New Zealand. The river has a mean flow of 203 cubic meters per second and a mean annual seven-day low flow of 87 cubic meters per second. It rises in the Southern Alps, travelling 150 kilometers in a generally easterly or southeasterly direction before entering the Pacific Ocean 50 kilometers south of Christchurch. For much of its journey, the river is a braided river, running through a wide shingle bed. Close to Mount Hutt, however, it is briefly confined to a narrow canyon known as the Rakaia Gorge. In the 1850s, European settlers named it the Cholmondeley River, but this name lapsed into disuse. The Rakaia River is bridged in two places. The busiest crossing is at the small town of Rakaia, 20 kilometers from the river mouth, where State Highway 1 and the South Island Main Trunk Railway cross the river using separate bridges. These two bridges are New Zealand’s longest road and rail bridges respectively, approximately 1.75 km long. A second bridge, much shorter and less used, spans the Rakaia Gorge.The Rakaia River is a celebrated Chinook salmon fishery. Bird species known to be found in the Rakaia riverbed are Wrybill, Black fronted Tern and Banded Dotterel.     This entry was posted in  Featured Images ,  Uncategorized ,  World Events  and tagged  2011 Top Image ,  DigitalGlobe , image contest ,  New Zealand ,  river ,  Satellite Imagery ,  Worldview-2 .     © Digital Globe

The Rakaia River is in the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand’s South Island. It is one of the largest braided rivers in New Zealand. The river has a mean flow of 203 cubic meters per second and a mean annual seven-day low flow of 87 cubic meters per second. It rises in the Southern Alps, travelling 150 kilometers in a generally easterly or southeasterly direction before entering the Pacific Ocean 50 kilometers south of Christchurch. For much of its journey, the river is a braided river, running through a wide shingle bed. Close to Mount Hutt, however, it is briefly confined to a narrow canyon known as the Rakaia Gorge.

In the 1850s, European settlers named it the Cholmondeley River, but this name lapsed into disuse. The Rakaia River is bridged in two places. The busiest crossing is at the small town of Rakaia, 20 kilometers from the river mouth, where State Highway 1 and the South Island Main Trunk Railway cross the river using separate bridges. These two bridges are New Zealand’s longest road and rail bridges respectively, approximately 1.75 km long. A second bridge, much shorter and less used, spans the Rakaia Gorge.The Rakaia River is a celebrated Chinook salmon fishery. Bird species known to be found in the Rakaia riverbed are Wrybill, Black fronted Tern and Banded Dotterel.

This is a rich agricultural region stretching from the alps to the ocean and bordered by impressive braided rivers. The district encompasses Ashburton, Methven/Mt Hutt, Mt Somers, Staveley, Hinds, Mayfield and Rakaia communities whilst including the High Country areas and the Hakatere Conservation park - New's Zealand's largest.  This district is a land of surprising contrasts where you can relax, stay, dine and enjoy truely authentic New Zealand experiences.

Within an hour from Christchurch International Airport you can be skiing or snowboarding, white-water rafting, skydiving, enjoying a country golf course, visiting gardens of blazing blooms, uncovering relics of aviation and transport history, hiking or mountain biking nature trails or enjoying traditional rural hospitality. A cluster of high country lakes lure avid fly fishers, a hot air balloon or heli flight provides a bird’s eye view of a patchwork landscape, a 4WD adventure can take you on a journey into the high country wilderness.

Heritage trails, craft markets, art galleries, country festivals and farm tours will fill your time with memorable New Zealand experiences.