Things to do in Methven

There are plenty of things to do in the town of Methven and within a 10 minute drive away!

Here for the weekend? Planning a day trip? Here are some of our top things to do in Methven!

Cafes, pubs & Restaurants

For a small town, Methven has no shortage of places to eat or to grab a coffee. Whether you want breakfast, lunch or dinner, there is a variety of food options to fill you up!

Mt Hutt Memorial Hall

Located on the main road, the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall has plenty inside to experience. The NZ Alpine & Agriculture encounter gives an in-depth look at how Methven's two main industries, skiing and agriculture have helped shaped the town. The hall also has an art gallery throughout and you can visit the iHub center and Feliz gift shops.

Opuke hot pools

Brand new to Methven, Opuke spas are New Zealand's newest solar-powered hot pools. They have a pool catered to children with water caves and a plunge pool, private spa pools and an adults-only area with a swim up bar. There is a cafe located inside and is the perfect spot to relax! Booking in advance is strongly advised.

Exploring the Rakaia River

Only 10 minutes outside of town you'll find the stunning turquoise waters of the Rakaia Gorge. Whether you want to stroll along the riverbed, take a hike along the Rakaia Gorge walkway or get your adrenaline pumping on the Discovery Jet, the Rakaia Gorge is an excellent spot to spend an afternoon.

Methven Walkway

The Methven walkway has an excellent walking path throughout town largely thanks to the Methven Lions club. It is 11 km in length but you can do it in sections. The path is suitable for children and buggies. Maps can be picked up at Snow Denn Lodge or the iHub center.

Hiking at Awa Awa Reserve

On the foothills of Mt Hutt is the Awa Awa Rata Reserve. This reserve has a great series of hiking tracks and bush walks. From 30 minutes to a 3-4 hour round trip day hike this is a perfect spot for the outdoor lover. There are short, flat 10-minute walks at the bottom of the reserve as well as a picnic area. It's beautiful in the summer when the Rhodys are in full bloom!

Mountain biking

The Mt Hutt bike park has over 40 km of cross country and downhill biking trails. You're sure to get amazing views of the plains all the way over to the ocean. With the variety of tracks, there is something for everyone from beginner to expert. A trail map can be downloaded here.

Mt Hutt Ski Resort

Methven is best known for its world-class ski resort- Mt Hutt. The resort is not short on facilities and caters to all skill levels. There is lots of choice for restaurants and cafes on the mountain and the Mt Hutt ski bus provides daily transportation from Methven.

Have a question?

As locals, we have the insider's scoop on what to do in the area. If you have any questions at all about the things to do in Methven please don't hesitate to reach out. You can also find more helpful information about activities in the area and happenings in our blog.