Methven is a beautiful place to visit – with skiing in winter and a wealth of stunning outdoor scenery and activities in summer. It has all the restaurants, bars and facilities you need, yet with a relaxed country town vibe.

 

Methven is just over an hour from Christchurch airport, 20 minutes to the nearest large town (Ashburton) and 40 minutes to Mt Hutt skifield. We are a fantastic base for day trips, with many stunning places within a short drive - including the majestic limestone rock formations of Castle Hill (where they filmed the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe), Mt Sunday (the location of 'Edoras' in Lord of the Rings), Lake Coleridge, Lake Clearwater, or the Rakaia River.

 

Methven is a base for all sorts of outdoor activities including skiing Mt Hutt, heading into the back country with Methven Heliski, horse-riding, jet-boating on the Rakaia River, golfing at Methven or Terrace Downs, hot air ballooning at the base of the Southern Alps, rafting the mighty Rangitata, scenic flights, mountain biking at the base of Mt Hutt, try your hand at archery, or walking the many amazing local tracks. Or if you need some down time you can soak in the Opuke Hot Pools, revitalise in the Salt House, visit some of our massage or beauty therapy clinics, or catch a movie in our boutique cinema.

 

In the evening Methven has a variety of pubs and restaurants ranging from an award winning Irish Bar or traditional pubs to great kiwi restaurants, Indian, Thai, Italian and bistros. We are happy to help you arrange any activities or make restaurant reservations for you.

 

There are a number of ways to get here & to get around when you are here:

• The easiest method is by rental car – there is so much to see and do in this area and having your own transport gives you a little more freedom.

• There are regular bus transfers from Christchurch airport to Methven (these will usually drop you right to our door if you ask) www.methventravel.co.nz . Once you are here, everything in town is within walking distance.

• There are no taxis in Methven but there is a free hop-on-hop-off bus which travels around town each evening during the ski season between 5-9pm.

• On request we can arrange a private transfer to pick you up and drop you off at the airport, just ask for details (extra charge to be agreed).