An unforgettable experience on the Tasman Glacier! We did the Heli & Hike adventure and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip. The whole experience was very well organized from start to finish. Things kicked off with a safety briefing at 11:15, and by 12:00 we were up in the air, enjoying a breathtaking helicopter ride over the Southern Alps. Once on the glacier, we spent about 1 hour and 45 minutes exploring. This included gearing up with crampons and listening to a few final safety instructions before heading out. Our guide, Anna, was absolutely fantastic—super friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the glacier and its unique environment. We stopped at three stunning ice formations where we got to take photos, touch the glacier ice, and soak in the surreal surroundings. It’s hard to describe the feeling of standing on ancient ice like that—it was magical. The only reason we’re not giving it a full 5 stars is that we would’ve loved a bit more time on the glacier, especially considering the price of the tour. But overall, it was an incredible and memorable experience that we’d definitely recommend!

We had an absolutely amazing experience flying to the Tasman Glacier with Mark G as our pilot. From the moment we walked into reception, the customer service was outstanding. The staff at reception were warm, welcoming, and went above and beyond to answer all of our questions. They made us feel completely at ease and genuinely cared about making the whole experience special. Mark G was fantastic—professional, knowledgeable, and very friendly. He shared great insights during the flight, which made the journey even more memorable. Landing on the glacier was breathtaking. This company truly shines in both the quality of their flights and their incredible customer service. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we would recommend them without hesitation to anyone visiting the area.

We booked this Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier helicopter experience at the last minute, a day before the scheduled flight and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip! Our pilot, Josh, was fantastic - friendly, professional, and made us feel safe from start to finish. Even the staff that oriented for the pre-flight (forgot her name). The flight offered breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and the stunning Tasman Glacier. Landing on the glacier was absolutely surreal, and Josh even took a great photo of us to remember the moment. Everything was well-organized, and the pilot's commentary during the flight made the experience even more special. If you're visiting Mt Cook, don't miss this - it's worth every minute and every dollar!

We went for the ultimate alpine experience, which has a combo of an outbound trip to the Tasman glacier on a helicopter and inbound on a plane (or vice-versa). The views are breathtaking. The landing on / taking off from the glacier using a ski plane is a lot of fun - apparently the only ski plane in the Southern hemisphere !

Such awesome experience on our helicopter flight to glacier Mt Cook and landed on snow. Experience and friendly pilot.. helpful friendly staff at booking. Highly recommend.

Amazing experience and super experienced and friendly pilots. Please plan some time to do this as it can get unexpectedly cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions. Our planned flight got cancelled but we got lucky and we could fly in the next morning. The staff were very friendly and helpful on the phone. Anyway incredible experience, excellent service, breathtaking views. What else could you ask for? 10/10

This was the most amazing tour we have ever done! Our guide Tori really made it so special showing us so many cool things to see on the glacier. She took the most amazing photos of us and went out of her way to keep us safe and ensure we had an extraordinary time. The flight to and from the glacier was beautiful and our pilot was a true professional. It was great value for money given how epic the adventure was with two full hours exploring the glacier. Add it to your bucket list and make it happen if you can!!!!

We hiked up the track to the mountain to watch sunset and stargaze. It was a nice and quiet place to be at that time. It was a bit of a moderate slog up the mountain, but well worth it. There is a gravel parking lot at the start. Just watch out for horse excrement while making your way up the trail.

The road is a bit slippery with snow, have to be careful and wear a proper shoes. I have spend 1.5-2 hr to reach the hill, please don’t wear too many jackets, super hot to climb up the mountain.

The view on the summit is amazing. We walked up one day after snow, and the view along the track is also fantastic

Easy track up with mostly flat trails and some steps. 3.8km return track with 273m accent. Finished in 43 minutes (I am a regular jogger with good fitness).

Nice walk once you get past Tekapo Springs at the bottom and brilliant views from the summit. The track flattens out after you exit the tree line and go up the stairs. Nice cafe at the top if you need somewhere to rest before heading back down.

Amazing views on the lake and the dessert-like surrounding 🥰 would recommend to do the loop anti clock wise (first along the lake, then up to the observatory and then down through the forest - cause that last part are just steep serpentines and I was glad I could walk them down and not up 😅)

This was my very first hike and our tween first hike. It was quite hard for unfit person but well worth the hike. It was great nice outing for family. Free activities. For fit people probably only take 4hours. For me took 5 hours cos stop a lot. There are heaps of resting area. Best part for photos. Good internet reception. I did video call oversea to show the summit and signal was great. Top of the summit, there is a Cafe. Pls see my review on Cafe at Their pages. Please note: you can drive up to summit but It is more fun to hiking up. Recommended! If unfit person like me can conquer the summit. You can! 😘

Absolutely stunning view of Tekapo and the MacKenzie Country. Be aware though that the road may be closed at anytime due to bad weather particularly windy weather so watch out for that. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes looking out over the world.

The place was very interesting! We leaned about the telescopes and the astrophotography viewings. The area was really beautiful! The cafe's food was also great!

This is a ABSOLUTE MUST see if you visit Lake Tekapo. Make time to come up here on a sunny day and see for MILES around. The view from the top is INSANE. See the pics that I posted. We visited, luckily on a CRYSTAL CLEAR sunny day and it was AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL..... There is also a cafe at the top where you can have coffee and some snacks/food to enjoy while you are up there

A good place to have coffee from Astro Cafe. The entrance to the complex cost 8 NZD. The view from the top is beyond stunning. You can watch how visitors of all origins posing for pictures in different styles; this alone is also interesting in addition to the view.

Beautifull sights over Lake Tekapo from Here. Just do not take the car to get here, you’ll be charged 8 dollars. Walk the track starting from close to the tekapo springs, it’ll be way more fun with even better views (away from the insta crowd) if you’ll do the full round when going back along the lake. Rec with nice weather!

I'm sure the view is spectacular but the $14 road users fee to get there and see essentially no more than what I've seen on the way here (Mnt Cook and surrounds) for free I couldn't justify it. Would have bought breakfast and coffee whilst up there otherwise. 4 stars due to road fee.

The 2hour hike path was worth it! Not too difficult and got to see the great view on the way up! We drove up again, very nice views with a lovely cafe up there!

This world-famous landmark has received countless praises — especially during lupin season, on every star-filled night, and in that iconic view where the cross in the window aligns perfectly with the deep blue of Lake Tekapo. And truly, it deserves every bit of that admiration. But what surprised me most is how stunning it becomes in harsh weather. I once visited during heavy snowfall, and the scene felt completely different: vast, silent, almost otherworldly. The sense of emptiness and solitude — like a landscape where “no birds fly over the endless mountains, and no footprints can be found on the snowy paths” — stands in sharp contrast to the usual crowds and bright, calm days. People often say you need good weather to enjoy a place, but for the Church of the Good Shepherd, every kind of weather is a unique stroke of luck. I’ve visited many times, and I know I’ll return many more times in this lifetime.

Small rustic church facing the magnificent lake tekapo. Would have loved to attend the Sunday sermons here if given the time and opportunity. Come early or later into the day where there are less crowds fo better photos.

Original we stopped by about 2pm but there were heaps of people, parking is crazy and it wasn’t easy to take pictures so we went back at 8:30pm for sunset and it was so much better. The church is closed and quiet and you can spend as long as you want taking pictures. Please be mindful this is a functioning church and you need to respect that!

Beautiful Church that was built by Anglicans but is used by different sects for worship. Plenty of parking but the church closes at 5pm for tourists. It is important for tourists to remember that it is a sacred place, I think the church should do more to ensure that people outside do not talk too loud. Otherwise, a beautiful location and cosy architecture.

Lovely little church on the edge of Lake Tekapo. Famous for just being a stone church is a beautiful location. We entered during a service so no internal photos but outside it is very picturesque. If you want a photo with no one around then I suggest an early morning visit as popular with the tourist coaches.

2nd time visiting this scenic place, after my 1st visit 8 years ago. Stands out for its solitude beside beautiful Lake Tekapo and the gorgeous mountains in the background. Much more crowded this time compared to many years ago. Still, a not to be missed place.

Even though we visited in early November — and came for sunrise, sunset, and even during the night for some stargazing — there were still quite a lot of people around, which is understandable though. At a certain hour the area around the church gets closed off, so afterward you can only walk around the fence, but it’s nothing too inconvenient. There’s a beautiful photo spot by the water just behind the church.

Statue of a Collie dog with the inscription that without the help of these animals they could not have farmed this land. Beautiful location on the shore of this beautiful lake. You should take a trip up the hill which has beautiful views over the lake and mountains

Just a simple sheepdog statue on a rock on the sides of Lake Tekapo. Not sure if this was intentional, you have the Good shepherd Church nearby and you have the Sheepdog that shepherds the sheep - celebrating 2 different shepherds ..

Lovely statue memorial to the Sheepdog (Border Collie) and wonderful views of the lake.

Humble little tribute right next to the Church of the Good Shepherd. Worth a quick stop, especially if you appreciate the history of the region.

Beautiful and meaningful statue, the sheepdog memorial located just a short walk away (100m) from The Church of the Good Shepherd. Least visitor as compared to the church itself , if you are around the corner I recommend you to drop by.

You can never go wrong with a statue dedicated to dogs.

Since it is next to the church, just visit it. Nothing interesting about this statue.

Roundhill is a wonderful ski resort. It starts with a scenic access road that goes along majestic Lake Tekapo. The road is easy to follow with no obstacles for normal family cars. The views there are breathtaking. The parking is perfect, never we had any issues with finding a spot. Access to the fields is great, the learners areas is quite big, and it gives good opportunity to warm up or try new things even for experienced skiers. I got great time learning new stuff with Alex on a snowboard there. The views from the mountain on the surrounding mountain range, and on the lake are the great addition to overall experience.

Beautiful ski field, you can tell it’s under well management. Handy parking, clean restrooms, lovely cafe. Staff are friendly and pro! Would definitely come back every season.

An awesome small local KIWI locals mainly Ski Field.. The Learner Pomma is a challenge for snow boarders.... Saw a few just give up ans walk back to their cars... Shame.. Ski field will lose them and their future income.... Lovely well groomed well laid out field...... Try and pre investigate when schools and bus loads of children are there.... Otherwise thw ques are crazy....

Amazing place to ski if you like to carve. Dylan makes the best cup of tea on a ski hill! She’s a legend.

Great place to learn ski\snowboarding. Friendly and helpful staff. Cafe spacious and warm with good drink options. Plenty of parking. Stunning views. Big thank you to the roundhill team for assisting with snow chains fitment on double wheeled camper and all the advice given on how to descend safely! Anybody who is driving campervan and didn't fit chains before please do a practise fit\unfit(another camper was strugling to remove chains at the bottom) beforehand, weather on the mountain changes quickly and watching youtube vids on how to is pretty hard when its snowing.

Beautiful, friendly and unforgettable experience at Roundhill Ski Area Roundhill is such a beautiful and family-friendly ski field. The views are absolutely stunning, and the whole place has a really relaxed, welcoming vibe. The staff on all the lifts were super friendly and helpful — it made the whole experience even better. I had a ski lesson with Henrietta and honestly, she was THE BEST instructor I could have hoped for. I’m in my 40s, a complete beginner, and was honestly pretty terrified of getting on skis. But Henrietta was so calm, confident, and kind — she made me feel completely safe and capable. She explained things in a way that made perfect sense, and somehow made the whole thing feel much easier than I expected. Thanks to her, I forgot my fear and had a genuinely fun time learning. I can’t thank her enough for the confidence she gave me and the amazing experience overall. If you're thinking of taking a ski lesson at Roundhill, I highly recommend asking for Henrietta!

Great place for beginners intermediate and advanced skiers. New infrastructure. Not the newest, but not the worst rental skies and boots. Clean cafe where u can get soup fries or some other snack. Learners area where u can get lessons with a tutor. Long black trails for experienced skiers. If it's ur first time skiing, it's perfect place to start. Highly recommended!

We had a lovely time at Alpine Alpacas; the staff were welcoming and friendly, and we really enjoyed meeting the alpacas, plus the horse and the Shetland pony ❤️ Feeding them was such a cute experience! The shop has some really nice things too. Would highly recommend to anyone staying in Fairlie or passing through :) Thank you for a lovely morning!

Our group of 6 throughly enjoyed ourselves visiting Alpine Alpacas. We felt very welcome by the staff members, Sharon and Riley, who took the time to tell us about the different animals and their personalities. A We also had the joy of meeting Spot, an eleven day old lamb! Definitely the highlight of our day.

We love Riley’s guide tour!! When she said she is lots of animals’ mom, I can see proud on her face. She knows her children very well, very professional! Very nice tour!

Had a great time at Alpine Alpacas today! The staff were lovely and the alpacas are so cute. I really enjoyed feeding and stroking them and meeting the horse and Shetland pony too :) a great place to visit.

Amazing 45 min guided tour experience with Riley at 10am. The animals are very cute. Riley ensured we had a great time. Thanks for showing us around.

Excellent up close experience with alpacas, lambs, horse. You can feed them too. Riley was a great guide. She explains well.

We had a lovely time feeding & learning about the alpacas. Riley was really friendly & knowledgeable, would recommend if you’re staying in the area

Very enjoyable place to visit. Excellent range of interesting historic items, especially the jet boat display. We spent a long time there and will go again. There is something for everyone including food and great coffee.

The museum is well worth a visit, you will need cash for entry. The cafe is an absolute must, the chicken and Mushroom pie is delicious. It is crammed full of chicken and mushies all made freshly on site. The pies are $8 with chips. All food is made on site. A wonderful fire for chilly winter days.

Such a fascinating place, so much to see and learn! We popped in for a quick visit and were amazed by how big it is, we spent ages exploring. Lots of displays to interest all ages!

Lots to see, displays are well organised and the cars are awesome, friendly staff and very informative 😀

Cafe: Recently under new management, we have enjoyed several visits to the Museum Cafe. Great coffee and the danish pastry I had today was outstanding. Made on site. Delicious. Definitely worth a stop.

Had the best pie that’s ever touched my mouth. What a treat, needs an award 1# best pie I’ve ever had brisket, tripple cheese and red onion. Oh my I’m salivating thinking about it.

Very friendly people, pretzel amazing, coffee average but place had a good vibe

We choose 1 hr trek with Hannah and had so much fun with the horses and taking in all the beauty. My husband rode a calm horse , Torque while I had a very cheeky horse Bobby . We had to turn around half way because I dropped my phone and had to look for it. If you have Bobby, he does a few jumps here and there while trekking which might be scary for a beginner but after a few small jumps you get used to it. Word of caution , if you take your phone , put it safe in a zipper pocket or tightly secure pants or you’ll drop it like I did. Hannah is in the process of setting up her payment portal so only takes cash or bank transfer. Must do for anyone near Fairlie!

Love the ride. I joined the 1.5hr trek and it’s my first time riding horses. Most of the horse trekking in NZ don’t operate in May. But luckily we can still ride here. Hannah was patience and the horses were calm throughout. Hannah was also taking pictures for us so we can enjoy the ride and scenery.

This was an absolutely amazing experience. I am so happy that Real Kiwi Horse Trekking operates all year round. Even in the winter months. Hannah was so good with helping us book a ride and Sue took us on an amazing 2 hour trek through the woods, along the river and through the hills. All with amazing views of the sheep, cows, and of course the mountains They were so friendly and made this ride so easy. I have not ridden much before this but this made me feel like a pro. The horses were wonderful and I cannot recommend this enough. Definitely make this stop on your NZ trip. It's worth it.

A wonderful experience! They operate year-round so we were able to do a trek with them in the winter. Hannah was great to communicate with when planning, and our guide Sue was fantastic - smart and steady leading the horses, always checking in to make sure we didn't need anything, and even took photos during the ride so we didn't need to worry about fumbling with our phones. The horses were great on the trail, and the views and landscape we trekked over were just breathtaking. Definitely recommend, would trek with them again!

Definitely one of the favourite highlights of our South Island trip, our guides Sue and helper Riley were both lovely, patient and caring. It was fun noticing all the little quirks and personalities of the horses too. Well recommended. 😊

Hannah was very kind and friendly. It was our first time riding horses, and everything went perfectly. The horses were smart and steady. We absolutely loved this experience!

Had a fantastic time with Hannah and Sue, loved learning all about the farm, horses were fab, knew what they were doing! 100% recommend

What an absolutely brilliant park. Well maintained... some good challenges, well utilised, and some thought and real effort has made this a real jewel. Also... the people are generous with salutations and courteous.

During my stay in Timaru I visited this park a number of times as it has great walking trails. Dogs love it too as I got to meet lots of friendly local people when walking the trails.

Went here during winter , ducks like bread

Lovely park and lunch facility for family quality time

It's a great park for many activities. However, Timaru local council recently changed, removed and reduced the playgrounds available there, which is very sad for young families, and very disappointed.

A really great park and so many different walking tracks to either walk or MTB through.1

I've been walking here multiple times a week for years. I absolutely love it. I always find or spot something new. It's a fresh experience in every season, and it's wonderful to share such a lovely park with people who appreciate it for the gift it is. If you haven't been to the Scenic Reserve, check it out!

Beautiful place. Went to the Timaru Aigantighe Art Gallery on Monday. This amazing place was orginally the home biult in 1905 for Mr Alexander Grant and Helen Grant who emigrated from Scotland and lived here for 50 years while farming Grays Hills Station in the Mackenzie Country. Their children gifted the house and grounds to the people of Timaru in 1955. One of the Pine trees on the property is the winter home for Monarch Butterflies overwintering in clusters.

I chanced upon the gallery just zooming in and out of gmaps for timaru.. its a very peaceful and to be honest, quite impressive art gallery. Not a huge place but exhibits so many artists' work. As i understood, its uses the old Grant's house as a gallery and thus, it also showcases the house's rooms and even the old kitchen! And i loved that, its like seeing what i've read of old-english aristocratic houses coming to life. 😍 The gallery itself, the works itself is very varied. Its paintings hung bold and proud on its walls. There's even a small corner where u could silent-bid for one of the painting. How cool is that! The gallery is FOC and i think they do have seasonal events to keep things fresh and engaging too. Spent a good 2hrs there. Oh! There's also an outdoor garden with exhibits too. Do explore!

Special place, this is the 3rd year I've been during autumn to see the monach butterflies and enjoy the beautiful gardens & sculptures. Love the Time Bomb. Staff as always very friendly and welcoming. Remember the butterflies are high up in the tree.

Free admission, amazing artwork and dedicated staff come together to make an exciting and intimate gallery experience. Dont hesitate to brong your children on a rainy day with fun activities and free stickers as well!

The Exhibition is free! Loved it so much we bought a painting

Very interesting exhibitions on at present, really recommend both. Friendly staff

Charming little gallery with a pretty large outdoor section of sculptures. Unfortunately no gift shop, would have loved to buy some of the paintings as a postcard..

Probably one of the best places I’ve walked around,great views and plenty of great amenities and things to look at.best thing to do is explore yourself.

Another kite festival down 'The Bay' Fantastic to see all the kids ( and adults ) enjoying the great weather. I was surprised at how many had never flown a kite before. I guess for us 'Old people' it was a rite of passage, learning how to first build then fly your home built kite...

Nice place to stay and beautiful beach walk.

Grate place to stop when visiting Timaru . 3 places merged on one place Rose garden, park and beach . They offer train ride as well $2 for 3 round and $6 golf .I love this place .

This place is not too large but everything is quite reasonable. Next to the sea and seaport, there is a beach for you to walk around. Inside there is also a play area for children. There's also a block of houses that I haven't finished yet. It's a suitable place if your family goes out and has children along.

I visited Caroline Bay for the Rock n Hop festival. Which was brilliant. It should be noted that if you want to put your children into the fancy dress competition you have to register online the week before. Anyway Caroline Bay is worth a visit any time with the new adventure playground, aviary, rose garden, fountain pond, then stairs up so that you can view the whole area. Timaru is a place that actually takes advantage of and uses the natural lay of the land to get the best views with amenities.

Such a beautiful place. A kind lady, who'd pointed out a seal to me first, helped me to get there, while I was out in Timaru, in an attempt to lose myself in nature. She showed me the area of the beach where penguins come at night to have their little beach party. I could see tiny footprints which I hoped belonged to a penguin or two. A path along the beach led to the cliffs, oh, those beautiful cliffs. A bridge above a railway track and a tiny unused lighthouse were the sights that greeted me there. I do wish the lighthouse was open for the public. It'd give an even greater perspective, I think. A small path from the cliff led onto another cozy part of the bay. A wide selection of small to large round pebbles could be found there. Another bridge that extended into the sea gave an absolutely graceful view of the sea. The sea changed its colors from light blue to shades of green and dark blue. Altogether, it was a peaceful and beautiful day out there, in the midst of nature. Hope to see some penguins next time!

2 levels of information! :) i love how much info is packed into the space. They used the area really well. Theres an exhibition regarding WW2.. informative and thought-provoking to a certain extent. Theres also exhibits on the wildlife and the origins to modernisation of new zealand. I spent 1.5hrs here. Would have been more if they hadnt close at 430pm. It was nice to wander through the exhibits, reading everything. The staff were very nice and gave u space, whenever needed. No admission fee but the museum runs on donation. Always happy to give, to maintain.

One of my favourite museums in New Zealand. Free admission, with two levels of fascinating displays and local collections. What made my visit truly memorable was the warm welcome at reception. As someone new to Timaru, the kind lady at the front desk not only introduced me to the museum but also gave helpful tips about the area, which made settling in so much easier. A wonderful museum made even better by the people.

Really neat museum offering a great history of the region. Easy to lose track of time with so much on offer. Admission is free but donations always welcomed.

I enjoyed coming in here, it offers more exploration and wonder than many museums as it’s set up as almost a school activity/ investigation center. It has things they encourage you to touch, drawers you open, places to explore and little info boards that open up. Even has a creative coloring in section for if you have a young one who gets bored.

Super nice staff. The Explorer program is so good, combined with finding the collection items! So much fun! Please bring out more different versions, the kids loves them.

Interesting museum, contains exhibits from many fields, everyone will find something for themselves. It's impossible to be bored. Free entry, donation can be made in cash or by credit card

Really nice, place, worth the time...full of NZ and local history. During the holidays, they offer workshops for children.

The exhibits were interesting, but the collection is quite small and the experience felt underwhelming for the price. By the end, it just didn’t feel like there was much more to see. Unless you’re very into Māori rock art, you could probably give this one a miss.

The staffs are very friendly and always have warm smile:) the information I got from here is very useful and helpful, I get to know better about Timaru. Please note that entry is NOT for free and the parking lots nearby is NOT for free as well.

The two women working were delightful and a wealth of knowledge, the museum was also very well curated and fit a lot of information in. Would 10/10 recommend

Great little centre with some kid’s activities inside. My daughter loved pushing all the buttons to watch the videos and the drawing. And my husband loved seeing and reading about the history. Highly recommend stopping in.

Fascinating exhibition of Maori rock art, had a lovely chat with Donna about this piece of local history.

Rock Art is described so well here, the guide so informative and descendant of the local iwi. Seen the real art around Duntroon and now understand.

A very interesting exhibit. We had seen this rock art in various places, but this explained all that is known about it. There was no tour available when we visited, but everything was well organized and clearly presented. The attendant suggested we should plan to spent 45 minutes to an hour to see it. We were there for an hour and 45 minutes and didn't quite have a chance to view all the videos. I suggest the amount of time depends upon the interests of your group. Younger kids would have enough after a half hour. If you want time to read all the materials and view all the videos, you might allow 2 or 2 1/2 hours, or more. I consider it worthwhile if you are interested in archeology, Maori History, etc.

Extremely knowledgeable, smart and witty guy. Peter taught me a lot about astronomy, despite me having 4 years of tertiary astrophysics experience! We didn't get an opportunity to view through the telescopes much as the clouds were in the way but check the weather ahead and plan carefully.

A great evening of stories scientific and personal, from a life devoted to following a passion for astronomy. Peter is a great teacher, with a northern english sense of humour (that’s a good thing!). The session is 2-3 hours, with time for questions and answers, in a small group. Highly recommended.

Peter is an amazing host and it shows how much passion he has for what he’s doing. He answered all of our questions and showed/ told us so much about our amazing universe. Totally recommend going here!

Unfortunately, we couldn't change the weather. Clouds blocked out view. Not a star visible in the sky. But Peter showed us around and we got to view videos and photos and learn how to take them ourselves. We stayed for two hours and learned heaps. Our 12 year old girls enjoyed it even though it wasn't hands on this time. Definitely ignited more interest. Well worth the visit.

What a great evening we had! Helped by a totally clear night we were fascinated and had our minds blown by the millions of stars we saw, planets in our solar system, Peter's insights and his incredible photography. Not only is this the best thing to do in Geraldine, but up there with our best experiences in New Zealand.

Peter is such a l lovely and knowledgeable old man who told us a lot about astronomy and let us explore the sky with two of his giant telescopes. We were quite lucky with the sky and were able to see nebulas, the famous jewel box and many more beautiful sky objects. His volunteering commitment to support astronmic research is impressive and with every word he explains, you hear his passion for this science. A simply wonderful night with some other nice and interested people. Clear recommendations.

We got plenty of telescope observation time, and a lovely clear night... Save your Tekapo money and check out Peter and his Observatory, he's going to show you some fantastic highlights... and you can choose what you want to see, Cassini Divison, Great Red Spot, Globular Clusters, nebulae. What a treat!

This place is fantastic, spent several hours there with a 5 & 6 y.o, they were not bored with so much to see! An incredible collection of historical agricultural and motoring history here with plenty of other bits and pieces as well. 7 huge sheds full of exhibits! It's very unassuming from the road, don't be fooled!

Lovely place and hidden gem in Geraldine. Super friendly staff. Great collection of cars , would definitely visit again. Not just cars but also other machinery from ships, tractors, bikes and a lot more.

A must see for vintage car, tractors and machinery of all kinds, got a personal tour with Bruce. The highlight for me, a Canadian is an International Travel All, that was purchased in Canada, travelled around North America then was brought back to New Zealand where it travelled extensively here. There is also a very Canadian Bombardier Alpine Skidoo snow machine that warmed my Canuck soul😎

#NZ 04 2024 FamilyTrip# A worth with price Vintage Experience! All my family members enjoy the visit. 😍 Lots of vintage cars.. Truck.. Etc 😍 Surprisingly, Some cars are new and can be used! Really eyes opened! Yeah..

Incredible collection of vintage cars, tractors, machinery etc. Well worth the admission ticket of NZD 15 per pax. Definitely worth visiting if you’re stopping by Geraldine!

It's a lovely place to stroll down memory lane.. not just cars , but all sorts of machinery and such. I only discovered it by accident... but very worthwhile to pay a visit.

Awesome place. There is so much history here. The volunteers are incredible and know what they’re talking about. There’s something here for everyone. From vintage cars and machinery to models and household stuff. So fun. Love seeing the 80’s mazda too! Just a nice reminder that time doesn’t stop and that vintage will one day be todays ‘modern’ cars..

first time at the movies today and it’s so vintage retro cool vibes, choose your own sofa to sit, choose your level up or down and blankets available, really cool experience! great choice of snacks. recommend for an old school experience it was really fun movie date with the family. il be back!!! 10/10

Just went to Ash Grunwald, absolutely amazing to see such a great musician up close and personal . It was like having him in your lounge ! Awesome experience

Second time visit to see "The Blues Brothers". Fantastic old time theatre with comfy couchs in place of the first few rows. Nice and warm and a supply of blankets for over the knees. A must visit when in Geraldine.

What a gem of a place, lovely old cinema, and very proud owners who keep the place going. Choice of super comfy couches or normal cinema seats, Well worth a visit.

Really cool place.. the cinema was great. Amazing place!!! My kids really enjoyed the movie and the experience.

Very cool old style theatre with a lot of soul. They have replaced a lot of the seats with random couches and armchairs, which is a really nice touch.

Most of the seating is in poor condition and the cinema smells musty. Viewing is available for most popular movies.

I have been buying knitwear from the Tin shed for about 6 years now. I have found their customer service excellent! On one occasion I ordered the wrong size for a Christmas present. They were excellent to deal with and went to extra lengths to get the correct sized jumper resent in time, they really cared! All of the other times I have ordered from them, their customer service has been very good too. Their products have always been very high quality. I would highly recommend this business for high quality and also high quality customer service.

Great shop for authentic New Zealand woolen goods. Wonderful staff. Clean facilities. High quality

The place is beautiful. It has its own mini farm with pigs, chickens, alpacas, and donkey. There was a museum for old, antique stuffs which I thought was very interesting. The shed sells all things woolen which are well made and reasonably priced. The staffs were friendly and helpful. Definitely suggesting a visit!

I ordered some mittens for my little girl and they are so beautiful and soft and keep her hands toasty! They arrived very quickly to Auckland and I am very happy! Thank you so much xx

Excellent service. Ordered four tshirts, a lady rang to advise they may be a bit late as not all in stock. Then were couriered as an urgent courier, and wrapped very well in tissue. Thanks for the great service!!

Have brought possum and merino wool gloves from The Tin Shed a few times now..so glad I found you online...nothing else keeps my fingers and hands warm like these gloves!..so happy you ship to UK :)

I was looking for socks for my 90 year old mum, they needed to be warm, non-slip, and also not impede her circulation. Was just about to give up when I found the perfect socks on The Tin Shed. I bought three pairs of their anti-freeze non-slip merino and possum socks, mum loved them. So did my sisters and I, we're going to buy ourselves some too. Thanks for a great product, with fast postage and a nice note as well!

A great wee Cinema. Friendly staff, a good size single Cinema with plenty of comfortable seats, a good size screen and good sound. The usual popcorn, sweets and drinks available plus a few other items. The toilets are shared with the church that use the same building.

Surprise! Feels just like your at your place, and a bunch of friends has come around to watch a new movie, only there’s a bar and you’ve hired some dude to usher people in! For what you pay, you get a tonne more. Cozy. Comfortable. Intimate viewing. I don’t think it’s for everyone, but great experience, loved the film and the setting. Heaps of parking. Cheap tickets. Thumbs up.

Didn't show the movie as there weren't enough people.

Really cosy atmosphere. Fully licensed went to see Bohemian Rhapsody was brilliant evening the cinema was packed as it was part of a combo movie meal deal we had a extravagant Freddie Mercury inspired Burger @ Arabica. Fantastic

Great little cinema I was quite surprised at how good the sound and screen is at this great little cinema. The range of movies is all the big blockbusters as well as more niche movies. Very comfortable plus there's a great little cheap Japanese restaurant next door for a pre movie meal.

We really enjoyed our experience at this lovely little cinema Homely feel with a friendly welcome. Highly recommended

Wonderful experience in a cosy cinema with a big screen a loud sound system. Love having a local cinema!

Popped in this afternoon - super helpful, a great source of information about the local area and the lady who helped us was so lovely!

The Methven Information and Heritage Centre is a first point of call for visitors to the area wanting to find out more about the region as well as what’s on and what to do. The friendly staff were helpful and informative. Local art is displayed thoughout the centre adding to the cultural experience. The Hall of Memories is a free of charge walk down memory lane of Methven’s contribution to World Wars 1 & 2. A main feature for tourists is the NZ Agricultural Encounter. A ticket only look at the rural community that makes up Methven and the wider mid Canterbury region. Points of interest include the inner workings of a cows digestive system and how they produce milk, resources of the region and the landscape. A full scale climb aboard Header gives you a real feel for farming life. The facility also boasts full conference facilities catering to corporate and interest groups, trade shows and productions and includes a Function and Boardroom with a fully equipped kitchen. The Methven Heritage Centre definitely delivered more than we were initially expecting and is well worth a visit.

Bit empty, but open. The stuff is nice and willing to offer your information ~

Went to the market very stuff and got a couple of things for my cat which proceeds go towards the cat rescue organization

Well worth visiting if passing through. There's an interesting exhibition about Methven during the world wars ...and when we visited..and exhibition by local artists. Larger space than it appears from outside! Very welcoming with space to sit down and enjoy the coffee from the van outside.

The centre was still open around 3:30pm Saturday in end July 2023 during snow season . No guest and only some staffs worked , the theaters were closed , memorial show room was open . Very quite and warm place . Some old memorial photos were exhibited along the corridor . You might walked through the centre in twenty minutes .

Great start to our visit to Methven

Rakaia Gorge Walkway ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) The Rakaia Gorge Walkway offers a breathtaking experience for those who love stunning natural scenery and a bit of adventure. The highlight of this walk is undoubtedly the panoramic view of the Rakaia River, with its striking turquoise waters winding through the dramatic, rugged landscape. The gorge itself is a sight to behold, and the vantage points along the trail provide incredible photo opportunities. If you're a fan of untouched, raw beauty, this walk will not disappoint. However, I do want to give a heads-up to potential visitors: this walkway is **not family-friendly** and may not be suitable for everyone. The trail is **very steep** in parts, and the terrain can be challenging, especially for those who aren’t experienced hikers or in good physical condition. Additionally, the signage is **very limited**, which makes it quite hard to navigate at times. Finding the start of the trail is also tricky—you need to walk about 200 meters from the car park, cross the road, and then head uphill. It’s not immediately obvious, so be prepared to spend a few minutes figuring it out. Another downside is the lack of interpretive signs along the way. If you’re someone who enjoys learning about the history, geology, or ecology of the area, you’ll likely find this aspect disappointing. A few more signs or markers would greatly enhance the experience and make the walk more informative and accessible. Overall, the Rakaia Gorge Walkway is a rewarding hike for those seeking stunning views and a bit of a challenge. But if you’re looking for an easy, family-friendly stroll with clear directions and plenty of information, this might not be the best choice. Proceed with caution, wear sturdy shoes, and be prepared for a steep climb! **Tip:** Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a good map or GPS device to help navigate the trail.

The current is a bit too fast for fishing, making it difficult with spoons, spinners, or soft baits. You might be able to approach it well with a fly.

I didn't get very far in as it wasnt getting any flatter between tree branches and rocks plus the straight down hill decline on a hot windy day wasnt going to be appealing coming back up. Lots of car parking across the road plus a toilet. It is out the gate on a windy day here! But the views were amazing after a straight long boring as drive from Christchurch City center. **No camping, dogs on leash, respect cultural heritage, leave the land undisturbed ** The Rakaia is one of the largest rivers in Canterbury, it is feed by meltwater from the Lyell and Ramsay Glacier and rainfall from mountain ranges.

Very easy trail that goes under the bridge and then down to the river. Suitable for kids, it was very easy and only about 15 minutes if you're going slow to get down on the river.both bridges are beautiful to see. We stopped before the bridge and after.

Beautiful scenery the river colour is amazing and the views magnificent. Was very muddy after a storm so be sure to wear suitable footwear as the walk is quite long and reasonably difficult.

great track, only went from the carpark to the first lookout (about 25 minutes) you don't need hiking shoes but I wouldn't do it in flip flops definitely worth stopping by for a walk if you are nearby and have a bit of time

Track was a bit muddy but would definitely recommend as the scenery is incredible! I recommend packing a change of clothes/shoes in the car for when you return so you don't get the car interior too messy!

Okay facility. As others have said it is too hot in summer. Would have been better with outdoor pool and hydroslide so there’s something for older kids to do or just anyone over 6. Not much indoor stuff to do for kids in Ashburton. Has a lot of potential to be made better.

Great facility. Glad they have fixed the wringer for togs. Wish the aquasize pool was just for exercising. Like the rolleston pool. Nice friendly staff. Always helpful.

Watching netball, the courts are pretty good. The pools are good, shame about the lack of hydroslides. Parking is brilliant and abundant. Sad the name does not let people know what the place is. A simple word like AQUATIC would make all the difference.

Love coming here, as it is very clean and the staff are always friendly. The only downside is that the children are not allowed in the spa, and the kid's area is really aimed towards quite little children. My two still really enjoyed all the equipment along the side that they could bring into the big pool, but my six-year-old did struggle... Was a little bit too old for the kid's area, too small for a big pool. I did like that there wasn't a multitude of swimming lessons on when we went light. There has been when we've tried to go 2 other places.

I go swimming here every day when i can, the staff are always super friendly. The one thing though is that when the sun in shining through the big glass windows it can be painful for the eyes but it's great here otherwise. It has a Gym, Cafe, Kids pools, wave pool, spa, sauna , a warm pool to hang out or aquasize in otherwise a big length pool if you want to do proper lengths. I love coming here when I can

My wife and I just had a walk through the place the other day. It is really modern and tidy. It would be a great place to take the kids if you are looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon. The pool looks very nice and there are several different areas for swimming. There is also a little cafe to the right as you are walking into the building. To the left, there is a gym as well. If you haven't been here, I would say it's worth it to go explore this cool place.

Great set up for swim lessons and kids.Loved the Lazy River. Lanes for the lap swimmers too. Facility cleaners, go easy on the hose pipes in the disabled toilet. Every thing soaked including toilet paper which was rendered useless. Thanks

Stunning long established gardens - well worth spending a couple of hours strolling through formal lawns and high hedges and informal woodland, a tranquil pond, a dove house and beautifully designed maze hedges with viewing platforms. Immaculately kept. It would be a perfect wedding and event's venue. The owners were very kind and went above and beyond by offering me a lift back into town afterwards, as I had walked there. A must do if you are visiting Ashburton👍

Great welcome from the owner then a beer and lunch at their tiny pub. Such a treat. The $10 pp to wander the gardens was well worth it. A wonderful few hours.

This place is a real gem, beautiful gardens, private pub, chapel, event hall, really picturesque walking around snapping photos, just perfect and the host was really kind.

We loved and enjoyed the place a lot, our 6yo son enjoyed the quest. The gardens are just beautiful, the flowers, the plants, really cherished, everything is blooming. If we visit the area again we will definitely visit again

A great venue with a nice walk around the gardens and a look at the pond. A bar dedicated for and covered for functions. This is a great value venue where you can also gor a nice walk.

This is one of the best gardens we saw in New Zealand! We went in the early fall season as we were driving through to Christchurch and there were still plenty of blooming flowers and so many trees that had fall foliage forming. It’s beautifully laid out, expertly maintained by the family that owns it, and they’re very nice. If you have an hour or so to spare on a drive through, definitely stop here!

We dropped by because of the high Google reviews, and it was worth the visit! We came across flower species that we had never seen, and I had never expected to see so many maple trees in fiery red this time of the year, and there they were, blooming like fire! Trott’s Garden was definitely worth a visit, but bear in mind that it costs NZD10 per adult to enter as it’s a private garden (children are free.) It makes sense when you see all the nicely trimmed hedges and lawns.

Worth a quick visit if your passing through Ashburton. A well laid out look back at history in heritage center the art in the upstairs gallery depending on the exhibition also possible worth a look.

Not a huge Mueum but nicely displayed. Friendly & informative staff Heaps of free parking on the street. There is a sizeable park / garden near the Museum which is worth a walk through, & a sizeable playground to the right side (looking from the street) of the garden.

My kid love the art gallery. First time visit. And he got a task which is treasure hunting inside. And he enjoyed so much. After that he went upstairs for kids activity .. design his very own vase, hand make flowers, making treasure box too. We visiting during school holiday

Beautifully curated museum and art gallery, great mix of old / new and the future. Lovely team, cheers!

Museum full of interesting items from days gone by. Excellent for showing grandchildren what it was like back in the day. Art exhibition of Samoan tattoos very powerful

Small interesting local museum. Great place to pop in. Very friendly staff 😊

Awesome new art gallery with attached museum. Great to gave the bigger space. Lovely friendly staff. Always hosts great exhibitions.

Friendly volunteer staff, and a great musuem collection where visitors can get up close to the aircraft. A new hanger was under construction at the time of the visit, so this place is going to be even more amazing in the neat future. Photos are of the main display hanger.

Brilliant museum with extensive collection you can get up close to. A very surprising gem. Well worth a visit.

Wasn't expecting much, after all, this is Ashburton. But wowzers, I was blown away by the aircraft on display. Awesome museum, an absolute must for even the slightest aviation enthusiast.

This museum is packed into 2 small hangers which makes it difficult to view each aircraft individually but then there is the pleasure of walking between them with no restrictions. This will all change when the new hangar is built next year. There is a great mixture of aircraft to view from fast jets to helicopters and gliders as well as a huge range of artefacts. Admission prices are very reasonable and the staff friendly and knowledgeable. Allow about 2 hours for a visit to this well worth it museum. Less with children as there are no specific activities for them. There is no cafe on site.

I luv this museum! You can see the airplanes very close and have a great experience. I went there a lot of times and very recommend!

Great aviation museum and expanding. The staff are lovely and it's on a live airfield, rude not to go!

Worth a visit guys - The staff are quite a funny bunch and very very friendly. Lots to see and if you into planes well worth the visit. Just a few pics below so you can see how good it was,