Ashburton Regional Information

Situated 85 kilometres from Christchurch, Ashburton is a service town for the surrounding region.

The Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers provide some of the country's best salmon fishing and are also a great place to experience the thrill of jet boating and white water rafting. Located close by is Lake Hood, a recreational facility which attracts lovers of water sports such as rowing, water skiing, jet skiing, boating, swimming, windsurfing and kayaking.

Within Ashburton, there are a number of shops and cafes, as well as the Ashburton Art Gallery, which exhibits the work of the local Canterbury artists and hosts floor talks and lectures presented by the artists themselves.

Situated on the Ashburton Airfield, the Ashburton Aviation Museum displays a mixture of civil and military aircraft, along with a model of the airfield as it existed during World War II, when it was a military training base. Also offering a glimpse into the past is The Plains, a vintage railway and historical museum featuring historic steam locomotives, a vintage tractor collection and an old fire station.

Navigate with our great Ashburton map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Ashburton weather.

For more information on Ashburton, visit the information site for Christchurch and Canterbury.