Day trips
16 June 2025
A world away from the city.
Lake Coleridge, a centre of adventure and activity at the heart of the Selwyn Region, less than an hour and a half from Ōtautahi Christchurch.
From hiking and jet boating to skiing and boutique stays, Selwyn’s Lake Coleridge is an impressive destination with a wealth of things to fill your day.
We’ve collated the best of the area to make it easy to explore.
Lake Hill is an easy walk from the Lake Heron car park with good bird-watching opportunities coupled with high country lake views. Walk through tussock to the summit. Track starts about 500m before you reach the Power Station intake. Alternately, check out Peak Hill for a more challenging hike. Expect 360-degree scenes across Lake Coleridge, the Southern Alps and multiple rivers. Bring good shoes and reasonable fitness, and stay away in wild weather.
One of the most popular walks in the area, Rakaia Gorge offers extensive river views from cliff top lookouts. There are side tracks to old coal mine entrances and down to the Rakaia riverbed. The track starts about 10km before Lake Coleridge village, has a car park and DOC information. Give it about three hours and take the kids.
Multiple skiing options are within reach of the lake, including Mt Hutt, consistently voted the country’s best. Porters Alpine Resort is a fantastic ski field for the whole family, while Mt Olympus gives skiers a taste of the club field vibe.
Discovery Jet offers an adrenaline-filled activity close to Lake Coleridge on the stunning blue Rakaia River. This is an experience not to be missed, and an iconic Kiwi thrill. With some of the most competitive prices in New Zealand, Discovery Jet is sure to get your blood pumping.
What better way to experience the true Canterbury high country than by horseback. High Country Horse Adventures run horse treks through farmland and riverbeds. With part-day and full-day tours, this is an activity for all.
Interested in what life on a farm is like? Benlea has a great family package including animal petting, feeding and playing, while Middle Rock offers tours for a first-hand high-country farming experience.
From camping and glamping to lodges and luxury, Lake Coleridge has your bases covered for a place to sleep and take in the sights.
High Country stations offer a glimpse into local farming life, and the area also offers multiple quality camping spots.
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