About Ashburton

Ashburton has well planned, meticulously tended parks and gardens which are an attractive feature of the town. Good shopping facilities are plentiful. A play area and paddling pool for children, and a picnic/bbq facility is available. Alongside Walnut Avenue is the 40 hectare Ashburton Domain and gardens. Close to the northern side of the Domain is a heated swimming pool that is open to the public most times. A historical Museum and Art Gallery is centrally situated. In the centre of the bustling commercial part of town is the Information Centre.

Ashburton is the starting point for many outdoor pursuits and the District provides a fine variety of recreational activities. Fishing for salmon and trout, mountain climbing, boating on the back country lakes, skiing and ice skating in the winter, harness racing, are but a few of the activities that make this area so attractive. Lake Hood Aquatic Park, 8 km's SE of Ashburton, is available for all types of water sports. A newly opened restaurant is situated on the shore of the lake.