Activities & Tours
Methven NZ has an information centre in the main street, with some tourist information, brochures, maps and staff on hand to provide advice. Methven is not like
Queenstown - adventure activity central, but there are still quite a few things to do.
Ski Tours and Activities Near MethvenHeli-skiing is available through
Helipark New Zealand (Mt Potts), Southern Alps Heliski,
Mt Hutt Helicopters and the very experienced
Methven Heli-ski.
A little further afield in the Fairlie region is
cat skiing with Alpure Peaks.
Family (or Big Kids) Activities
For a really novel NZ winter experience, go ice-skating in Stavely. The little town of Stavely is about 20 minutes from Methven. The ice skating is on an outdoor rink about 5 minutes out of town (turn right down Flynns Road towards Sharplin Falls and then turn right at the sign-posted T-intersection), but you can hire skates in town for about $10. They are open on Wednesday nights, weekends and during school holidays.
What makes this experience so unique is that it’s a completely no-frills rink. There are no walls to the rink, so there are no rails for beginners. Instead they use old sled like contraptions and wheelchairs that you can hold onto for support. To fully appreciate the experience you have to toast marshmellows on the fire next to the rink. The fire is also a great place to dry off your bottom if it is a bit wet!
Nearby is another ice rink used for
curling. On weekend afternoons a great spectacle is the men that meet to compete. They wear their club uniform, a Scottish hat adorned with a pom-pom! It’s not quite clear whether the competition is about the curling or whether it’s about the whiskey being consumed. Either way, it’s a bit of fun!
The other activity nearby is a hike (or a tramp as the Kiwis call it) to Sharplin Falls.
Adventure Activities
If you want to go jet-boating, Rakaia Gorge is only 13 minutes drive (16km) from Methven. River Tours (now owned by
Discovery Jet at Terrace Downs) offer some thrills in the Rakaia River. This is a good activity for bad weather days when it’s not possible to go skiing or boarding, although with the scenic Mt Hutt as a backdrop, it’s even more spectacular when the sun is out.
Another great adventure activity is sky-diving. The
NZ Skydiving School at Pudding Hill, just outside Methven, offers tandem rides, and conveniently offer transport from Methven. Skydiving is the ultimate rush, but it will require giving up some skiing or boarding time to do it. Unfortunately it’s not a down day activity, as if the ski areas are closed there’s a good chance that the weather won’t be conducive to sky diving either.
For other activities in the air to soak up the views you can try hot air ballooning.
Leisure Activities
Golf is not just a summer activity considering that the courses are generally not covered in snow. The
Methven golf course is near town, and there’s also the
Terrace Downs 18-hole championship course. The views from both courses are spectacular.
From Methven it’s possible to do a Lord of the Rings tour. What would a trip to New Zealand be without taking in a “Lord of the Rings tour”?
Indoor Activities
For a rainy day activity you could catch a movie at Cinema Paradiso, or visit the indoor skate ramp in Forest Drive. Next door is the Activity Centre which is open from noon. The activity centre has pool tables, mini-golf, computers with internet, and arcade games. They also do bookings for various tours and activities.
Alternatively some people travel into Christchurch to partake in activities such as swimming at the QE2.
Relaxation
Methven Resort has hot pools to soak weary muscles, or for complete relaxation have a sports massage.
Methven Activities & Tours Listings
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Helipark Mt Potts
The ski resort without any lifts; just a helicopter and a handful of Powderhound friends. Pay as you go. You cant miss this whilst in Methven / Mt Hutt.
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Rakaia Gorge Jetboats
Take a thrilling jetboat ride on the pristine Rakaia River Gorge. Only 15 minutes drive from Methven. A fabulous 30 minute tour.
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Aoraki Ballooning Safaris
Treat yourself to a majestic balloon flight across the spectacular Canterbury Plains. Finish with a champagne breakfast and still get a full day of skiing in at Mt Hutt or Helipark.
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Sky Diving NZ
The experience of a lifetime; freefall at speeds of up to 200 kph & enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Hutt & Canterbury Plains. Tandem sky diving is available 7 days a week.
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4X4 New Zealand - Wilderness Tours
4X4 backcountry wilderness expeditions. Operate summer & winter. Half-day, full-day and multi-day tour options. Individuals, groups or private charters.
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