Day at Barrytown Knifemaking and WOW — what an epic experience! 🔥 From a red-hot chunk of steel to a fully finished knife that I made with my own hands! 💪🔪 Super fun, surprisingly doable, and honestly one of the coolest things I’ve done in NZ. Highly recommend if you’re passing through the West Coast!

Fantastic day with Steven and Robyn. Well run course, excellent banter and the final product is epic. Hands down one of the best one day experiences in NZ. Stevens one liners might be some of the best I’ve ever heard too!

Fantastic day! We went with another couple & all enjoyed the day. Steven & Robyn are amazing. They are very skilled, knowledgeable and helpful and coped well with a very large group on the day. They are very hospitable & have a great sense of humor. We were stoked with our knives & highly recommend anyone to do this. Fantastic experience. Thanks so much.

Thank you very much Robyn and Steven, you are great hosts and l had the best time ever The smile is still on my face from all the banter and laughs we had while making our knives I could not image from a length of flat steel, a couple of strips of rimu wood and some pieces of brass you could show us how to create the knives we made Your easy and friendly manner made for a really enjoyable day It is a must to do for these of you who are travelling down the Coast Rd near Barrytown, West Coast When we are down that way again in the future we are definitely going to call in and get another knife ,only bigger this time Wishing you both good health and happiness for the future Kindest regards Tony Wynands Napier HB New Zealand

My partner and I had the best day with steve and robin learning and making knives. Tucked away in a beautiful part of the west coast and freedom camping in town by the beach. The day was full of laughs and easy teachings, everyone there walked away with an awesome hand made knife from scratch and great memories. Nice locally made sheaths available for purchase to house the blade. Fantastic people and well worth a stop in. Cheers robin and steve will definitely be back when were next in your part of the world.

Had an amazing day with Steven and Robyn learning how to make knives. Starting from bit of steel, hammering it into shape, all the way up to the finished product! Lunch was provided with a make yourself toasties and even free beer at the end. Highly recommend if you're passing through!

A MUST DO. Robyn and Steven are both epic people and you'll walk away with a beautiful knife and a brilliant experience. Many funny stories and great memories. I'll be doing this again for sure.

Stunning scenery and the bike only sections are really great, well worth the suggested $10 per day per person we paid. Unfortunately there are long stretches of joint use road from Kapitea Reservoir up to the first dam on the canal, the surface is being ruined by heavy 4x4 vehicles and quad bikes, we saw several on our trip. I bet they pay nothing to use these roads and it would be great if like other cycle trails in NZ motorised traffic is managed by locked gates.

Unreal trip!! Great people throughout.. would highly recommend

Awesome

Good

Food was amazing as well as the 6 paddle off beers. Well worth trying. Very cozy atmosphere and the food came out quickly.

Exceeded expectations. Service was quick, yet friendly. Food was fabulous. Fries were exceptionally memorable. Thick, crispy outside and fluffy inside.

Monteith’s Brewery is a fantastic spot to visit, even if you’re not there for the drinks. The food was excellent - fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. There’s a great variety on the menu, and everything we tried was cooked perfectly. The location is lovely, with a warm and relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect for both families and groups of friends. It’s a great place to unwind, enjoy a good meal, and take in the surroundings. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area - it’s a memorable experience for the food and setting alone!

The best place to eat in Greymouth without doubt. It's colourful and lively and every dish we've tried was excellent. The service is prompt, this visit was a highlight of our West Coast visit.

Great beer tasting, however food is not good enough! Everything is too salty!!

My wife and I did the Monteith's Brewery Tour and stayed on afterwards for a meal. The tour was very good. It was interesting to learn about the history of the brewery, and it was great to get to pour and taste some of the beers. Our guide was really entertaining and knowledgeable too, which made the experience even better. The meal afterwards was first-class. The service was spot-on, and the food was excellent. Thank you Monteith's for such a great experience...on such a wet and windy day in Greymouth :)

We did the brewery tour with Toni and she was awesome! It ended up being only myself and my partner doing it and she gave us advice on different beers to try along with local knowledge of events on over the weekend we were visiting. Totally recommend 👌 she's awesome at her job

Awesome activities with kids, mine were ages 12, 14 & 16 and all were entertained and enjoyed themselves, the gold panning was the highlight as well as playing around with the prison and reading the orewa hospital medicines. 100% highly recommended. A bit pricy for the whole experience $145 but worth it for all 5 of us.

We came on a busy day as they had a tourism convention going on, so parking was hard to find (this is not normal). We had a great time stepping back in time and walking around the town. There is a cafeteria for lunch or a snack /coffee etc and if you have a letter to post, if you take it with you, you can have it postmarked from Shantytown. There is a train ride you can take and the guide is very knowledgeable about the history. He operated an old sluice to demonstrate how they used to fire water at the rock they wanted to mine for. After that, the optional $10 per person will give you an opportunity to pan for Gold and you are given excellent instructions on how to do this. A great place to take the whole family! If you're going to do panning, allocate 2-3 hours minimum for this visit.

You can’t miss this place when visiting the West Coast! You can ride the steam train, revisit the past at the museum, have some coffee and food, try to get lucky and pan for gold, or hang out at the playground. Locals can get a great deal with an annual ticket ☺️👌🏽 Awesome place to come with kids.

Having lived in greymouth for the first 30 years of my life. I have visited many times. It has changed a lot. Definitely worth visiting at least once. Train rides three times a day. Open 7 days. There is a café also. Gold panning is available for $10 per person. Panning is part of the train ride. Getting gold from panning is garunteed. At the time of typing this review, gold is $7000 for a teaspoon( one ounce) of gold. So, the $10 fee for panning is well worth it.

Absolutely loved it, make sure to come early to give yourself time to walk around, lots o d history, steam train was an exciting experience and I loved the uniqueness of the town. Don’t know what all the negative reviews are for, I came when there was no costume actors around and I think they have done a wonderful job at showing the history. The lady in the front is also very kind and sweet. Highly recommend coming here if you love history

Not what i expected, I have been to some great well maintained heritage villages and this is not one if them. Gives you a very basic insight into the past from a museum built 54 years ago and not maintained. Dirty dusty and dark, could do with a spring clean better lighting and more props.

Fun place for children! Lovely train experience here!

This was our only time that we were able to see the famous kiwi bird in New Zealand, and it was amazing! The rest of the centre is nice, but mostly oriented to children I would say. When we were there, there were some school groups there, and definitely fun for them. It was nice, but not sure if it was worth the price.

Went here with my partner & 3 year old. Great wee activity & place to visit especially while raining outside. Lots of interesting things to learn inside & our highlight was feeding the eels. The staff are lovely & kind. All look so happy to be there with positive energy towards each interaction! I would recommend this place to others

There is no more than the kiwis and all the introductions are so interested. We saw both of the kiwis and they are more cute than I imagined! Plus, feeding eels that needs courage was an amazing experience! The staff are so nice and patient. It was a wonderful day.

The National Kiwi Centre has several fishes and eels and two Kiwi's. You can feed the eels 3x a day, I went to the feeding at 10 which was very nice! You get a little more info about the eels and you can pet them if you want. Afterwards the Kiwi's also got their food, which made them easier to spot. You cannot take photos of the Kiwi's, but you get a photo afterwards as compensation. You can also catch crawfish, which was very fun to do! The staff is very friendly, and I had a lovely time.

As two adults visiting from the U.K we had a fantastic time! There is a key focus on conservation and education, all of which was really informative. Our favourite part was how hands on the activities are! We got to feed eels (and touch them!), try our hands at catch-and-release fishing, and watching Kiwis being fed all of which is at no extra cost and included in the ticket price! We also took part is a treasure hunt and were rewarded with chocolate at the end, and were gifted a photograph of one of their Kiwis as a keepsake to take home. This is a really enjoyable experience and not one to be missed when visiting Hokitika!

Absolutely loved our visit to the National Kiwi Centre! The centre itself is lovely, with various native species and information about them. We were a bit early on in the season so it was fairly quiet, which meant plenty of time to walk around, find Nemo for a chocolate fish (for all ages! 😁), and enjoy seeing both Kiwis. The talk given about the eels at feeding time was both fun and informative, and it is good to see them taken good care of (including releasing them back into the wild when the signs show they are ready to migrate). Their oldest eel (estimated at 110 years old!) was pointed out and when she popped up for a feed special attention was given that she did get her share 😊. Darren, who helped us at the counter both on entry and when we were leaving, was so enthusiastic and helpful, and even gave us a tip on a lovely little bushwalk close to town, which we did immediately after and which was amazing, everything he promised! Definitely recommend taking a stop at this lovely place, it's great fun for all ages 😊

Cute, family friendly facility. Lovely and informative staff. If you’re feeling brave you should definitely feed the eels

Absolutely awesome beach! Clean sand, clear water, and a super relaxing vibe. The sunset was stunning and the whole atmosphere felt peaceful and refreshing. A perfect spot to unwind — loved every moment ☺️

Hokitika’s beach is rugged and beautiful, lined with rocks, crashing waves, and plenty of driftwood shaped by the sea. The highlight is the famous “HOKITIKA” driftwood sign, a creative landmark and a must-stop photo spot. Walking along the sand, you’ll find driftwood scattered everywhere and may even try spotting pounamu (greenstone), treasured by the Māori as a protective stone. It feels like a small treasure hunt, adding charm to the stroll. We also noticed locals arranging wood and stones into messages like “HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025,” giving the beach a creative, personal touch. The best moment comes at Sunset Point, where people gather to watch the sun sink into the Tasman Sea. The driftwood letters glow golden, the sky turns deep orange, and the atmosphere feels calm yet unforgettable. A must-visit stop on New Zealand’s West Coast.

Sign needs fixing but still nice stop. War pillbox was even better to see.

Such a cute set up of the sign, beautiful to have some food in the car park or sit on the rocks and enjoy the scenery.

Amazing, magical Oceanside village! Visited in the winter.

Cane early but wish I saw sunset. Cool sign.

Enjoyed our visit, we had a beautiful sunny day. Nice little town to walk round and visit the many stores. Loved the beach.

An awesome shop to support the local artists. As an ads Accredited tour guide, I’ve driven pass this city many times but never had the chance to go in. Now I do. Lots of interesting things to sell, price tags are high. I suppose the rent in Hokitika isn’t much as such big shop wouldn’t exist in Auckland. Hope that this shop can survive in this Covid global pandemic.

A nice gallery with many beautiful crafting.

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! This gallery is quite special and is deserving of a visit. Loved chatting to the owner....interesting and very talented.

A fantastic gallery run by Juergen Schacke and his wife Monika featuring Juergen's stunning photos and local crafts. They have recently taken over the Craft Gallery next door and both offer riches of local art and crafts, an absolute treat!

While on holiday at the moment, I brought my husband's birthday gifts here a few days ago and the selection of quality items for sale were stunning, and beautifully displayed. I was most impressed with the lovely lady serving who did not rush me to make a decision, was very helpful and she gift wrapped my purchases really nicely. I left incredibly happy, thank you for a delightful shopping experience.

Thanks for the no pressure and supportive approach to our purchase Juergen and Monika. What a cool place you have - our best wishes to you for your future.

The shop is always full of colour & art that reflects, the rugged west coasts terrain and the sunsets, colours that are unlike anywhere. Warm welcome smile as you walk in the door from the host. Our days off we come to Hokitika from Moana.

This is a place where you can walk while looking at the great view from high trees. It is a place where you can walk along the course made at the top of the tree (about 25 meters high). If you go up a little past the ticket booth, you will see the tree top walking starting point, and it takes about 20 minutes to look around the entire course. The course is not long, but you can see the great view from high up and see various birds in nature. (It is not easy to find or see.) There is an observation deck at the midpoint of the course, and if you go up to this observation deck, you can see the sea across the forest. Overall, the great view and the unique experience of walking on a tree top are great, but since these courses are 25 meters high, the installed bridge shakes a little every time you walk, so if you have a fear of heights, I recommend you think again, and you do not necessarily need a reservation for this experience. There is no problem even if you just go without a reservation.

We got a deal online, so ticket price was halved, so we did zipline & walkway combo. All the staff were SUPER helpful and friendly. Zipline was fun and felt very safe with all the checks .

We had a great time here. Very quiet as out of weekend/holiday so cannot comment on how it would be the other side of that coin! Clearly signposted from the highway, Friendly and helpful staff. The walk was great, lots of education along the way if you can handle the heights for long enough! Climbing the tower was great too with exceptional views, we even timed it to watch some people do the Zipline (which looks awesome by the way, next time!!). Would very much come back and my girlfriend who has vertigo, enjoyed it too.... The walkway was as solid as you could hope and she appreciated conquering her fears enough to experience being within the tree canopy. Well worth the trip and money

It'd be better on a clear day but a foggy forest isn't too bad. Quite pricey for a walk but the staff were friendly and overall felt very safe.

Amazing views from the platforms. I climbed into the tower and it was breathtaking. Son did the Zipline and said it was fantastic.

Absolutely fantastic Views and great experience Bit expensive for a walk but definitely enjoyed the experience

Absolutely brilliant experience. My 75 year old mother and I took part in our first zip line experience. Matthew was lovely, and brilliant at explaining the process, and gave us very clear instructuons..... the whole experience was an absolute joy, and my mother loved it. Tea and cake at the cafe topped off a wonderful morning. A huge thanks to all staff!

As a civil engineer, this lookout is awesome. You can see the whole valley and the viaduct in all its glory. Definitely worth a quick stop to take in the views and engineering of New Zealand.

An amazing day out to Otira Viaduct (deaths corner). A beautiful location to park up and enjoy the views, even if it was in deep fog and mist. The Keas were out and about and were gorgeous. It was saddening to see all the rubbish people leave behind there, I picked up and disposed of what I could, but its an outrageous amount. And the Keas will end up eating it. I will go back again and try and gather some more at some point. Super smart birds there, and an amazing place, which costs nothing to visit.

Absolutely stunning view point, such an impressive road. We were lucky in October to have a very clear day to see the view clearly. Would definitely recommend stopping here.

A beautiful view of the bridge and surrounds on a clear day ! Even with a few clouds, it looks magical. Would recommend stopping over while crossing arthurs pass

Fantastic view and experience. Saw some keas while over at the lookout. They really like to bite on the car rubber gaskets.

Amazing views and walking trail with an interesting surprise at the top!!

Excellent Drive today Beautiful stunning scenery Well maintained road but be cautious of shaded areas

This is a great day trip option from Christchurch! The drive is scenic as you get closer to the park and there are several places to stop along the way! There are several hiking options at and near the park! The staff at the DOC are quite helpful as well!

One of the best DOC hut in the country, very informative. Cute Kea kiosk :)

Great source of information about hikes of all levels of difficulty. Turns out half the staff are volunteer firefighters too having watched them turn out yesterday. There are also some souvenirs and clothing for sale. Don't forget to buy your hut passes too!

The team had absolutely excellent knowledge for us and others who were planning a long walk. Absolutely recommend talking to the team before heading out. They spoke about the places to walk/stay and places to not walk/stay. And also what places were good at the time of the year and for rainy conditions we had.

A nice place for a short break. The staff are friendly, and they provide tons of information about activities to do around Arthur's Pass National Park. There is plenty of parking in the area, and toilets are also available for free. See pictures and videos for details.

The Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre is on State Highway 73 near the east end of the village. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm and there is a large carpark and public toilets available. A stop at the Visitor Centre is a good opportunity to pick up information on trail and road conditions, local weather conditions and any other information needed to support your visit to the Arthur's Pass area. You will also find an expected range of souvenirs and gifts here. There is an historic Cobb & Co stage coach and other interesting displays that make for a good way to spend 15-20 minutes. Lastly, there is a film you can watch regarding the history of Arthur's Pass. I believe the fee was NZ$2 per person for them to run the film.

Arthus pass is breathtaking! I actually cried when we stopped at the Viaduct lookout! Such a beautiful place 😍

There was close to no one here even though it was super busy at Castle Hill Rocks and Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall. Easy descent to the entrance of the cave. Very cool to see but I couldn't venture in as the water was terribly cold and I didn't have the necessary equipment. Overall will recommend to people who are moderately fit as you have to hike back up and might have to hop around the rocks at the side of the lake.

The cave is 5 minutes away from the castle Hill and village so would visit all 3 in one day 😀 to see the lower cave you need gumboots if not you can see it from above ..I would not recommend it to go with kids in winter the stream was rapid so is hard to cross with them but in summer I think is a great cooling idea . The water sound is magic and the scenery breathtaking ✨️..the great part in summer you can dive and get inside the stream but make sure you are with a skilled person so they know how and when to take you up the stream 😀 that will be a fun experience

Short walk between Christchurch and Arthurs Pass, it takes about 20 minutes unless you want to visit the lower cave entrance by the Broken River in which case there's a steep decent which can be wet and muddy. Should you wish to traverse the cave a headlamp is needed as you'll need both hands at times. Unless the water is very low enter the cave at the lower entrance, where the water exits, as the deepest water is near the entrance and if you're unhappy you can safely leave. The cave has no difficulties as a ladder makes climbing out easier.

Great walk around to see the cave entrances, went into the exit one briefly as you can't go far in. The entry one was a bit full of water at the time so couldn't get very close. Weren't prepared to get feet wet on this occasion. Will be back next summer to walk through it. Still worth having a wander around and breathe in the mountain air.

Nature’s hidden sculpture – Cave Stream Scenic Reserve Even without walking the full cave passage, this place is absolutely worth the stop. Watching how the Broken River has carved its way through the limestone over thousands of years is truly fascinating – a raw, powerful reminder of nature’s artistry. The contrast between the dark, echoing tunnel and the bright, green hills outside is striking. You don’t have to go underground to feel the magic of the place – just standing near the cave entrance and listening to the rushing water is an experience in itself. If you’re passing through Castle Hill, take the detour. Even a short visit will leave an impression.

I love this place Great to be in nature. The cave walk is brilliant but come with good gear. Tourches, good boots and change of clothes

We didn’t see all of the caves but it was very cool and well set up! Slightly slippery in the rain.

It's alright if you there to burrow a horse for the day to ride, but would not recommend taking your own horse. Girls were nasty to each other, and the lessons for trekking for example were not based of skill.. Got stuck in a group who couldn't do canter despite being a competitive rider, they then refused to switch group. Was a christmas present voucher for a course, ended up bawling to my mother on the way home about how horrid it was. GIrls also bantering with each other about their spiritual connections with their horse.

Wouldnt ride anywhere else, absolute quality instruction with fantastic well cared for horses. They even offer riders the opportunity to compete on their horses which is awesome. You not only learn how to ride, you learn everything from horse mastership, grooming , how to lunge correctly etc.

Beautiful trek itself. Me and my dad went on the weekend special trek, however he got put on a 20 year old horse called Tuscany who clearly shouldn’t be ridden anymore. He had apparently already done a ride in the morning so he was “tired”. He was so slow that we had to stop every 5 minutes I would say to let him catch up and then we would go again, just for him to fall behind about 30 meters within about 20 seconds. Poor horse obviously not his fault would struggle up hill and was puffing while doing so, didn’t pick his feet up when walking either. Felt bad for the old boy. Me and my dad wanted to do this together but he was so far behind I couldn’t even chat with him the whole trek. I’m no pro but the stirrups length felt way too short and wasn’t checked on if it felt comfortable for my legs etc. , didn’t really get any instructions or information, just walked over to the step and was told how to walk stop and go left n right and off we went. Didn’t get to help groom and tack up the horse either like it says on the website description. Horses were already ready when we got there. I was looking forward to that part. Nice instructor though- neve her name is. Could tell she felt bad we had to use Tuscany and said she dosent like taking him on treks because he is so slow. $90 would of been worth it if we got to have a decent experience. Was just a bit disappointed as this was something I was really looking forward to with my dad and he just got left behind the whole way.

As someone who began their equestrian journey at Kowhai at the age of 8 and rode competitively for Viewhill pony club for 10 years , I can confidently say that Kowhai holds a special place in my heart. Kowhai isn't just a residential horse riding school; it's a transformative experience that shapes young riders into capable, resilient individuals. From the very start, I was immersed in a culture of responsibility and teamwork, where chores like clearing up after meals and grooming my own pony were integral parts of the learning process. Under the expert guidance of Mrs. Thomas and Bec Thomas, the level of instruction at Kowhai is unparalleled. They took me from being a complete beginner to competing in area trials and even earning a spot as a reserve for the Canterbury team for New Zealand pony club champs. Their dedication and expertise instilled in me not only the skills to excel in the arena but also the values of initiative and resilience that have served me well beyond the stables. But perhaps the most enduring aspect of my time at Kowhai is the friendships forged amidst hay bales and riding lessons. Even now, at 32 years old, my closest friends are those I met during those formative years at Kowhai. The bonds we formed through shared triumphs and challenges in the saddle have stood the test of time, a testament to the enduring community fostered by this exceptional establishment. In essence, Kowhai is more than just a place to learn to ride horses; it's a place where young riders are challenged, and supported as they grow into confident, capable individuals. My journey at Kowhai has shaped me in ways I couldn't have imagined, and for that, I am forever grateful.

the coaches were really nasty. And pushed me way too far outside of my comfort zone

Just picked up girls after a weekend and very un impressed at the standards, mainly how the children are treated and spoken to, pushed around by Becky .absolutely disgusting- 3 out of 4 children crying most of the night wanting to come home !!!! Older girls inhaling deodorant to try and get drunk and trying to get the younger girls to do it , putting cell phones outside the door of the girls cabin with an alarm going off on the hour. , Would not recommend this place at all . Extremely disappointing

Different to my German standard, but they have very good instructors. I would really like to do one of the holliday-courses. The environment is very good for cross country riding! But I was missing the well schooled dressage horses a little.

What an fantastic morning over the Canterbury plains with our expert pilot Michael. One thing to note is the guys get you involved in setup, unpacking the balloon, helping inflate the balloon, and the same after the flight. Gives you a real sense of what they encounter most days. Michael made the journey great. Being a farmer of 40yrs he had fantastic knowledge and explaining the different fields below and everything in between as well. He gives you an insight into who he is and why he started the business too which is awesome. The weather and sunrise was pretty fantastic as well! Both Michael and Dean are top notch. At the end of the flight they give you champagne/juice, fruits and muffins too. Such a great experience and highly worth the adventure.

A bucket list item for me! I can't recommend Ballooning Canterbury enough. An experienced, friendly Pilot and staff plus breathtaking views - an experience that I will never forget. The nerves don't stick around for very long that's for sure!

What an absolutely amazing ballooning experience we had this morning with Michael (the owner) and Dean! Michael’s knowledge of the area is incredible – not only is he a highly experienced balloon pilot, but also a local farmer who truly knows the land. We were treated to the most magnificent sunrise, and the way the team looked after everyone made the whole experience unforgettable. We chose to travel to Ballooning Canterbury after finding the staff at another company in Methven quite rude and unhelpful. From the first call, Michael was warm and reassuring, explaining that they always phone the night before to confirm (unlike some companies that leave you driving all the way out only to cancel on arrival). True to his word, we received a call with clear directions, and even a flashing orange light guided us into the driveway in the early morning darkness – such a thoughtful touch! Throughout the morning, we were captivated not only by the breathtaking views but also by the fascinating stories Michael shared, including the tale of the two French inventors of ballooning. This was a truly special and memorable experience, and we cannot thank Ballooning Canterbury enough. We highly recommend flying with them – you will not be disappointed.

What an absolutely amazing experience! The entire crew was so friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable from start to finish. The flight itself was breathtaking — peaceful, beautiful, and perfectly organized. We had our marriage proposal from the skies, and it couldn’t have been more magical! Everything went beyond our expectations, and we’ll remember this moment for the rest of our lives. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure!

Incredible. If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Michael and his team went above and beyond for this tour. Michael himself is an air balloon champion (which he mentions very casually) so you know you're in good hands. The views are spectacular, the ride itself is smooth and Michael explains what you are seeing. The team also give you plenty of photo opportunities! I can't recommend them enough. They also have a surprise at the end for you! A bucket list experience for definite!

Such an amazing balloon experience! The pilot was skilled and friendly, and everything felt smooth and safe. We were lucky with perfect weather and stunning views. Highly recommend!

We had such an incredible experience with Ballooning Canterbury. The flight was a gift for my Mum's 60th birthday. We were awestruck watching the sun rise over the Canterbury plains and the moon set behind the mountains. Michael made it a special experience for everyone. We helped set up and pack down the balloon and were rewarded with mimosa's. I highly recommend Ballooning Canterbury and would like to thank Micheal and his team for making it "the best birthday ever".

I cannot in all honesty review the ski slopes since I do not snow ski. However the facilities at the ski centre are comfortable the trip up to the top of the slopes is an easy one on the ski-lifts. Once there you have fabulous views of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plain laid out before you.

As an NZ resident and having skied South Island fields but no overseas fields, I can only judge what is available here. I think the negative comments from over seas visitors while accurate, are unrealistic. This is not Europe with millions of people, massive mountains and visitors with lots of money. Yes, the road up the mountain is pretty rough in places and some sealed parts or a plan to improve it over time would help safety, comfort and reduce likelihood of damage. Coronet Peak has a sealed road and has had it for years but it doesn’t have the snow levels like Hutt generally so pros/cons for both. Facilities here are quite adequate in my view as are the cafe facilities. The Hutt website is very good, including daily updates and webcam shots. Customer service? Initiating service in the rental area for a boot fitting enquiry was pretty slow, but when the older gentleman with glasses and beard in the storage area was advised, he was very helpful indeed so well done to him. Only one person on checkout duties in the cafe at lunch time, that wasn’t good and created an unnecessary queue. Lift facilities and speed are good as is the variable levels of skiing available. Overall pretty good, but to help public opinion maybe show what improvements are intended for the future so that the money paid by customers, can be seen being used wisely.

I’ve been coming here for the past 2 years whenever I’m visiting South Island. This place has a few great trails & it’s more budget friendly compared with Queenstown. The only downside is that the weather here is more unpredictable & volatile compared with Queenstown so be prepared in case the hill gets closed early due to bad weather.

Love the Hutt. There's something for every skier here, from the faster speedskier making only a few turns, to the classy-careful skier and the beginner just starting to make turns. What makes Hutt a great experience is fewer people and quick lifts. No queues. Mt Hutt is effectively a bowl ski area where everything can be seen from the seating/cafes below (great for parents and non-skiers). It could do with a coffee shop/bar up the top though to savour the view and take in the rays. Exactly 1.5hours from Christchurch airport, and be the careful driver when coming up the hill... it's not for heroes or over-takers. Be patient, the drive is worth the chance to park meters from the shop, the tickets and the lifts. I'll be back.

Loved it. Magic carpet belt for beginners. A few chair lifts. There's a good range for every level of skiing or snowboarding. Lessons available. Great food, hot chips, chicken, awesome pizza. Buy passes online to skip the que.

Good maintained acess gravel road Good veiwsof mid Canterbury Plenty of parking for allvtyes of vehicles including busses

Favourite place to ski! Great facilities, awesome food and beautiful views! Pizza & hot chocolate are 10/10 - I got both multiple times through the week. Though it’s a long drive up it’s certainly worth it. If you’re coming for the day I recommend driving up earlier to get parking. They offer free shuttles at the bottom car park if you miss out which is great.

A view kiwi style adventure laid back and just general fun, commercial companies have nothing on a good old small kiwi company. A very cool trip with great scenery and atmosphere of the river. Very rare to get to experience both braided rivers and narrow gorges. An amazing trip and will do again.

FORGET THE BIG COMPANIES - Blair was absolutely terrific. Not only was our ride FANTASTIC but he shared his local knowledge, showed us around & took pics for us all. Go out of your way to ride with Blair - you won’t be disappointed. Andy & Debbie

This hour trip was very fun, slower paced for the first 30 mins and faster (more fun) paced on the way back, group photos were offered to be taken off everyone's phones. Great time, highly recommended

Fantastic experience, great trip with Blair - his local knowledge is great. Thanks for a memorable evening

Outstanding Experience!! Blair was friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!!

Awesome experience, highly recommend, great family experience and gorgeous views 👌

Fantastic. Loved this amazing ride through the absolutely beautiful Rakaia Gorge. Wow! Great driver. Really helpful and informative. 👍👍👍😊😊😊

Nice, spacious and cozy cafe. Food is great, we had the bacon & eggs and salmon pies with two latte. Prices are reasonable with the final bill coming up to NZD28. The best thing? The staff are really friendly and helpful!

Not very crowded during weekend , foods and drinks are acceptable , sufficient car park outside the cafe shop . Counter and table services are acceptable .

Best fish n chips! Willie and the team offer great food @an excellent price. Look out for the giant salmon on the side of the road. You can even have a cheeky wee glass with your meal

This could be the perfect cafe for travellers. It's big (so you can find somewhere to sit), reasonable food and coffee, toilets (and clean public toilets outside), friendly staff, is near a place kids can play - and is easily find-able because of the nearby giant salmon.

Outstanding and friendly service, their coffee owe my gosh the Mocha is to die for. Highly recommend this cafe as a must stop and dine in on the go

The Salmon Tales Cafe is a nice place to stop if you are on your way to christchurch, or like me, on the way to Mount Sunday. There is a nice souvenir shop and the restaurant has inside and outside seating. Especially on a nice day it is worth it to sit outside. They have great coffees that you can also buy as take away. A lot of choices for food and loved my Salmon sandwich. Too bad they did not have Salmon chowder

Simple restaurant. We tried the salmon fish & chips and pan fried salmon. Very fresh salmon. 1st time eating a salmon fish & chips. Taste is as good as usual cod fish.

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,

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

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..

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

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!

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.

We found this place on Google as we were passing through and so glad we did! There are 30 wallabies in total and a bunch of other animals as you walk around the paddocks, there's a super cheeky peacock too. The wallabies are so sweet and gentle, the lady that owns the place is a real character, she obviously cares so much about her animals, we found her to be sweet and certainly has a sense of humour! Myself and Husband absolutely loved it. And for $15 for a huge bag of food and unlimited time walking around the paddocks, we thought it was a super reasonable price! 100%recommend ❤️

This experience was truly unique. I recommend learning about how this place was founded before visiting—it adds so much meaning. Gwen, also known as the “Lady Wallaby,” dedicated many years to caring for these wallabies. An amazing and inspiring experience!

You must stop by this place. The lady who owns this place is definitely part of the experience. A cheeky woman she is which made me laugh so much. It was $15 cash to get a bag of feed. We didn’t even finish the feed because wallabies are surprisingly gentle and slow eaters. They are very soft and gentle as well. Some are more shy than others but make sure everyone gets some feed! I highly recommend to kids and adults! She also has two cockatoos that can speak and say “I love you”. So cute.

Super fun to feed and pet wallabies! Make sure you have cash if you are an international tourist, only kiwi credit cards are accepted. Overall great time! If you’re in the area, you should stop by!

Great place to visit when in Waimate, especially with kids. Gwen, the owner, is very nice. NZ eftpos or cash (15 NZD per adult, 10 NZD children above 5 years)

Highly recommend this tour! Affordable price for an unforgettable experience! Those wallabies all have different personalities and they are all lovely. The host is kind to me and give a really detailed guidance on how to feed wallabies, which I think it’s very necessary to learn. Don’t miss this park if you pass by! 很好玩中国人不骗中国人！！！

Great to feed some wallabies. A lovely place tucked away, in the small town. A good visit if going from Timaru to Oamaru. $15 to hand feed the wallabies, a great coloured peacock wandering around as well. Really easy to navigate if you read the signs as well.