Hinds on the Hinds River

Hinds lies on the Canterbury Plains, on the banks of the Hinds River. The river and plains give the town a distinct landscape setting, while a named highway runs through Hinds. When looking for a holiday home, start by getting to know the town’s specific character: its riverside location, memorial site and recommended stop for classic car enthusiasts.

Riverside setting, highway and local history

The Canterbury Pacific Highway runs along State Highway One from Kaikoura to Timaru and passes through Hinds, among other places. This places the town along the route of this connection. If you plan to travel this route, check the road conditions beforehand.

Two black granite plaques are set into concrete block walls at the entrance to the swimming pool. The Hinds War Memorial honours those who served in the Second World War and those who fell. Its dedication thus commemorates both military service and the people who lost their lives.

Hinds Classics on the main street is a recommended stop. The recommendation focuses on classic cars in varying working conditions—a different local feature from the memorial, and a specific point of interest for travellers interested in vehicles.

More things to explore in the Ashburton District

Hinds is the specific focus here; the wider travel destination of the Ashburton District offers other, distinct themes. The area of Awa Awa Rata Reserve is known as Mahitahi and was a kāinga mahika kai, a place for gathering food. Two walking tracks lead to Scott’s Saddle or along the ridgeline. The reserve is also a picnic area and a destination for day trips. Here, cultural significance and tracks through the landscape come together as a regional focus distinct from the riverbank and memorial in Hinds.

Ashburton Domain offers a different kind of experience within the Ashburton District: the 37-hectare open space includes lawns, gardens and recreational facilities. A paddling pool and a small playground are designed for preschool children. One track is for children learning to ride bikes, as well as older children with skateboards or roller skates. A rose garden, mature exotic trees and seasonal flower beds add to the green spaces. Gardens and recreational opportunities are the main features here.

Cultural attractions in the Ashburton District also offer a range of experiences. The Plains Historical and Vintage Railway has historic locomotives and steam locomotives. At Pioneer Village, the collection includes a railway station, church, cottage and replica shops; the blacksmith’s workshop has a working forge. Tinwald Domain features heritage attractions such as historic trains, museums, model railways and collections of historic machinery. Educational programmes at the Ashburton Museum explore the cultural and social history of Mid Canterbury and Aotearoa.

Those interested in nature and activities will also find a range of options in the Ashburton District. Hakatere Conservation Park covers almost 60,000 hectares of rugged high country, tussock grassland, beech forest, rivers and lakes. Activities at the Ashburton Lakes include swimming, boating, fishing, birdwatching, camping and picnicking. Rakaia Gorge has walking tracks and river access. Methven Walkway passes through farmland, alongside rivers and through bushland—another landscape experience from the lakes and high country.

Other regional highlights range from thermal waters to winter sports. Ōpuke’s Discovery offering includes family-friendly thermal pools with a lazy river and water features. The adults-only Tranquility offering combines a swim-up bar with a restaurant featuring regional flavours. Mt Hutt Snowsports School offers beginner lessons, children’s programmes, private coaching and multi-day programmes.

Choose the focus that suits you

When looking for a holiday home, you can keep these different options in mind: Hinds offers a riverside setting, a war memorial and a recommended stop at Hinds Classics. A broader focus in the Ashburton District, by contrast, might include culture, thermal waters, walks or landscapes. Choose where to stay based on which of these themes will be central to your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mayfield, Methven, Ashburton, Mount Hutt.

Back to the main travel overview: Ashburton District.