How To Slow Down In Ashburton
A Guide To Elevating The Drive Through
We’ve all been there - coming upon Ashburton after straight road driving through rural plains and small towns. But have you ever taken the time to slow your drive-through and look under the covers of this sizeable rural township? Luckily for you, we have, and we can tell you, it’s worth putting some time aside.
Caffeine And Much More - Triangle Espresso
Coffee is an essential on any road trip and your go-to-cafe in Ashburton has to be Triangle Espresso. With consistently good coffee, enticing fresh food and plenty of local chat, be sure to take some time to refuel and enjoy. Our pick? The Special, a potato rosti with beetroot hummus, avocado tzatziki and roast red pepper—winning! The staff are super friendly, and its modern, stylish vibe means all the senses are filled before hitting the road again.
Shop With Ease For Eco And Designer Clothes
In need of some retail therapy on your roadie? Tucked away within the Ashford Village, Simply Eco champions environmentally friendly, natural and reusable products. Owned by a mother-and-daughter team, they also run a little embroidery studio in the space too.
If you're after an outfit for a special event then be sure to check out Hyde Boutique. This high-end designer fashion destination stocks New Zealand and international brands, including Deadly Ponies, Caitlin Crisp, Twenty-Seven Names, Kate Sylvester, Nom*d, Yu Mei and plenty more.
Ashburton Art Gallery
Conveniently located on State Highway 1 is the Ashburton Art Gallery, home of art and artistic experimentation in Mid Canterbury. The friendly staff will tell you all about the exhibitions, and it’s easy to see they are passionate about the gallery and its role within the district. Three gallery spaces feature works across various mediums, from notable local and national artists to more emerging players.
Ashburton Style Sugar Rush
Let’s be honest; sometimes you need a sugar rush when you’re on the road. Or maybe you’re a connoisseur of sugary delights; either way, these treats will give you that sugar high. What started out as a bit of a craze has become a staple at Sims Bakery – the cronut. Made fresh every morning the dough is folded with butter, deep fried, filled with custard cream and drizzled with white icing. Yes please!
Garden Walk At Ashburton Domain/Millhouse Kitchen
Time to stretch the legs? Then a walk at Ashburton Domain is a must. Venture a little further and explore some of the 37 hectares of open green space, walkways, gardens and facilities. There’s also a playground and seasonal paddling pool available for the little ones. To round out the experience, swing by Millhouse Kitchen and grab a takeaway coffee. If you’ve meant to buy that reusable travel cup for a while, no problem, pop into neighbouring Simply Eco; they’ve got plenty.
Taiwanese Fusion That Turns Heads - Formosa
Every local who knows their stuff will recommend you head to Formosa to experience their Taiwanese fusion. The space is bright and fun, and the team takes pride in their food. There are weekly lunch specials, a full vegan menu and plenty of options to keep everyone in the car happy, from their vegan menu to gua bao, Taiwanese fried chicken, Taiwanese beef noodle soup and Taiwanese deep-fried tofu with kimchi. Yum!
