Izzy’s guidebook

Izzy
Izzy’s guidebook

Going on an adventure

This is an absolute must visit place, only 20 minutes drive away! The Dalai Lama declared these unique rock formations the "spiritual centre of the universe", there certainly seems to be a special energy in the earth. Allow at least 1.5hours to explore, better with a picnic and make it half a day.
32 yerel halk öneriyor
Castle Hill
32 yerel halk öneriyor
This is an absolute must visit place, only 20 minutes drive away! The Dalai Lama declared these unique rock formations the "spiritual centre of the universe", there certainly seems to be a special energy in the earth. Allow at least 1.5hours to explore, better with a picnic and make it half a day.
Enjoy this easy loop walk with great views, a curious sneak into the cave and the beauty of the scenic landscape, or make it an unforgettable experience and climb through the cave (check water conditions before hand and bring warm clothes/wetsuit and tea).
14 yerel halk öneriyor
Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
14 yerel halk öneriyor
Enjoy this easy loop walk with great views, a curious sneak into the cave and the beauty of the scenic landscape, or make it an unforgettable experience and climb through the cave (check water conditions before hand and bring warm clothes/wetsuit and tea).
Time spent in the sattle is never wasted! Enjoy calm and happy horses, a real riding experience suited for beginners to experienced riders, and spectacular views along the way.
Rubicon Valley Horse Treks
534 Rubicon Rd
Time spent in the sattle is never wasted! Enjoy calm and happy horses, a real riding experience suited for beginners to experienced riders, and spectacular views along the way.
Perfect to visit on your way to or from us, when you're travelling the classic route: Make sure to stop at Arthur's Pass and stretch your legs on the easy/moderate there and back again trek to the Devils Punchbowl Waterfall.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Devils Punchbowl Waterfall
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Perfect to visit on your way to or from us, when you're travelling the classic route: Make sure to stop at Arthur's Pass and stretch your legs on the easy/moderate there and back again trek to the Devils Punchbowl Waterfall.
Enjoy a day of snowy white and chilly good times! Only a short drive away you'll find the ski fields, There's also a friendly rental service and lovely cafe.
Porters Ski Field
State Highway 73
Enjoy a day of snowy white and chilly good times! Only a short drive away you'll find the ski fields, There's also a friendly rental service and lovely cafe.
Fabulous and easy/moderate round walk with anconstant change of scenery. There's a little display and informations at the entrance. The land owners charge for the walk via honesty box, we found the price a bit steep, but it's a half day well spent.
12 yerel halk öneriyor
Washpen Falls
590 Washpen Road
12 yerel halk öneriyor
Fabulous and easy/moderate round walk with anconstant change of scenery. There's a little display and informations at the entrance. The land owners charge for the walk via honesty box, we found the price a bit steep, but it's a half day well spent.
A lovely, easy walk with beautiful views and close to the river. Tip: Come in autumn and pick blackberries, bring a container if there are more than you can eat!
Ashley Gorge Loop Track
A lovely, easy walk with beautiful views and close to the river. Tip: Come in autumn and pick blackberries, bring a container if there are more than you can eat!
Walking under the black beech trees and feeling like an adventurer deep in the bush, while still just being a short stroll away from the next meal- a perfect little loop track for the ones who like to take it easy :)
Kowai Bush
Walking under the black beech trees and feeling like an adventurer deep in the bush, while still just being a short stroll away from the next meal- a perfect little loop track for the ones who like to take it easy :)

City/town information

Springfield is a tiny town, with a long history. Early settlers used the area to mine coal and clay, much needed for bricks and pottery. It was also an important spot to establish a west-east connection over the alps, first by foot and horse, then with stage coach, and finally for the train line. Today, Springfield is the perfect place to stop over for a night, enjoy the views and explore the area, before finding a new destination along the scenic West Coast Road. There is a range of cafes and stores at the main road, walks and tracks throughout and around the township, and the heritage train station, which is currently under restoration.
Springfield
Springfield is a tiny town, with a long history. Early settlers used the area to mine coal and clay, much needed for bricks and pottery. It was also an important spot to establish a west-east connection over the alps, first by foot and horse, then with stage coach, and finally for the train line. Today, Springfield is the perfect place to stop over for a night, enjoy the views and explore the area, before finding a new destination along the scenic West Coast Road. There is a range of cafes and stores at the main road, walks and tracks throughout and around the township, and the heritage train station, which is currently under restoration.

Neighbourhoods

The Selwyn District reaches from ocean to alps, and offers a wide variety of scenery and activities. We are located in a semi rural area, which for us combines the peace of living in the country with the convenience of relatively close shops and amenities. You will experience a friendly farming community of people who love the outdoors, their animals and adventures, crafters and makers and go getters.
Selwyn District
The Selwyn District reaches from ocean to alps, and offers a wide variety of scenery and activities. We are located in a semi rural area, which for us combines the peace of living in the country with the convenience of relatively close shops and amenities. You will experience a friendly farming community of people who love the outdoors, their animals and adventures, crafters and makers and go getters.

Food scene

Lovely cafe with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. They also have a range of gifts, snacks and other goodies in their shop. Slightly overpriced, but lovely place to sit at a bit longer and write some postcards or update the travel diary.
Taste of Kiwi Cafe
5666 West Coast Road
Lovely cafe with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. They also have a range of gifts, snacks and other goodies in their shop. Slightly overpriced, but lovely place to sit at a bit longer and write some postcards or update the travel diary.
Cosy and cute place to enjoy a coffee and home made pie. They also offer lovely dine in or take away pizza on weekend nights. If you have a sweet tooth, grab a donut and take a selfie right next doors with the big pink donut at the park :)
The Yelloshack Cafe Springfield
Cosy and cute place to enjoy a coffee and home made pie. They also offer lovely dine in or take away pizza on weekend nights. If you have a sweet tooth, grab a donut and take a selfie right next doors with the big pink donut at the park :)
The Springfield Pub offers great meals, snacks and drinks, life music and social events. Perfect to have dinner there or take away and enjoy in peaceful solitude at the Raven's Nest.
Springfield Hotel & Backpackers
West Coast Road
The Springfield Pub offers great meals, snacks and drinks, life music and social events. Perfect to have dinner there or take away and enjoy in peaceful solitude at the Raven's Nest.
The perfect choice for a lovely dine in dinner, we love the cosy feel in their beautiful rooms but also the wonderful garden and outdoor spaces on those hot summer days.
Sheffield Hotel
40 Wrights Rd
The perfect choice for a lovely dine in dinner, we love the cosy feel in their beautiful rooms but also the wonderful garden and outdoor spaces on those hot summer days.
If you're stopping at Darfield, this is a lovely spot to fill up your pockets with sweet and savoury treats. The have a range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options, and are right beside two lovely shops to find some handmade products or plants. Just bring some time, waiting times on heated snacks and meals can be a bit longer than expected.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
The Fat Beagle Cafe
51 South Terrace
7 yerel halk öneriyor
If you're stopping at Darfield, this is a lovely spot to fill up your pockets with sweet and savoury treats. The have a range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options, and are right beside two lovely shops to find some handmade products or plants. Just bring some time, waiting times on heated snacks and meals can be a bit longer than expected.
Best place in Darfield to stock up on carbs and sugar, we love their coffee too. They work fast and efficient, so perfect for a quick refill but also lovely to sit down and relax at. Great little play area for young kids too :)
10 yerel halk öneriyor
Darfield Bakery
60 South Terrace
10 yerel halk öneriyor
Best place in Darfield to stock up on carbs and sugar, we love their coffee too. They work fast and efficient, so perfect for a quick refill but also lovely to sit down and relax at. Great little play area for young kids too :)

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Gezinme

Take a scenic train ride

The TranzAlpine stops in Springfield before heading to Arthur's Pass and the Westcoast. You can do the journey there and back in one day, the train station is only a short walk away from us.
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Fairy forest at McHughes Plantation

Go and search for fairies and litte magical creatures and their homes at McHughes Plantation just out of Darfield. The tracks are easy and flat, walk a small loop or just a bit there and back again. Kids love to search and find the doors and windows on the trees, and adults are allowed to enjoy them too :)