There are many walking tracks and trails throughout this region as well as accommodation in huts. While the 2-day Mount Somers Track is for the serious hiker, the Mount Somers Conservation Area also offers a variety of walks for everyone.

From Staveley there’s a short scenic walk into Sharplin Falls, an ideal swimming hole.

Woolshed Creek (via Mt Somers) provides a grassy, sheltered picnic area, and several short walks including the Nature Trail and Sidewinder Track.

The Rakaia Gorge Walkway traversing the edge of the Rakaia River, offers unique geological and historical features and amazing views of the gorge. You can take a jet boat ride up the river and walk back. A walkway is also being developed at the Rakaia township offering fantastic views of the Rakaia River.

The Awa Awa Rata Reserve at the bottom of Mt Hutt Forest is a good base for a variety of walks ranging from a 10 minute stroll past spring flowering rhododendrons to a 4.5km tramp onto a mountain ridge with magnificent views of the Canterbury Plains.

The Methven Walkway follows the Rangitata Diversion Race, beginning and ending at the Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre. It is also popular with mountain bikers.

At the southern limits of the Canterbury Plains is Timaru, the main commercial centre and port for the southern part of the region. This is an area of fertile river valleys and gentle rolling hills, orchards and attractive country towns. Timaru has many elegant brick and stone Victorian and Edwardian buildings.

Lift off on a hot air balloon safari
 

Viewing the sun coming up over the horizon is a very special moment. Enjoy a soft easy floating experience over the Methven skies, with pristine views of Mt. /cook and the National Park Mountains, plus a full 300km panorama of the entire Canterbury Plains.

Your early morning, starting at daybreak has very gentle air and being cool, is very clear air. Passenger participation is often encouraged to help inflate the balloons. Then as you are gently launched into the morning sky the exhilaration will immediately become apparent.

The Methven location allows height to be utilised for a part of the flight and if broken cloud is around passing through this is something very special. Being close to Mt Hutt and the Southern Alps offers spectacular mountain views, with the expansive patchwork arable farmland below.

Jet Boating is a fantastic visual and physical experience. The Rakaia river offers fishing for trout and salmon, kayaking, rafting, camping, and jet boating. The Rakaia is a sports persons paradise, however, for convenience, jet boating is by far the easiest way to access the river.

Raft white-water on the Rangitata. Explore historic sheep runs, like Mesopotamia,  and wander through beautiful woodlands and gardens or savour locally produced food and beverages.

Tee off at Terrace Downs Golf Resort

At the first tee… mountain views stretch to the horizon, a shimmering lake mesmerizes and lush fairways beckon.

Terrace Downs offers a par 72, 18-hole championship golf course, rated as one of the top courses and golfing destinations in New Zealand. Based at the foothills of the Southern Alps, there are very few scenic alpine courses like it.

The course was designed by Sid Pudicombe and Associates in 1993 and officially opened in December 2001. It offers a unique mixture of Parklands and Links style with the underlying philosophy of the course development assuring its integration into the natural environment and the respect and enjoyment of all who play on it. The views of the Rakaia Gorge and mountain vistas remain a constant challenge for players to keep their eye on the ball!