A Weekend in Rangiora: What’s On | The Riverstone
If you’re staying with us at The Riverstone Rangiora, chances are you’re either passing through North Canterbury or you’ve deliberately chosen Rangiora as your base – and either way, we reckon you’re in for a nice surprise. This little town punches well above its weight when it comes to things to see and do, and most of it is a short drive, or walk from your room.
Here’s how we’d spend a weekend in Rangiora…
Start with the town centre
High Street is the heart of Rangiora, and it’s worth a proper wander. You’ll find boutique shops, homeware stores and a genuinely good café scene tucked in among the historic buildings – pop into the quirky Station Café and maybe dabble in some pottery painting or grab a wonderful coffee at Crema. If breakfast is more your thing, the Columbus Coffee café in the Mitre 10 Mega building opposite serves a mean Eggs Benny.
Stretch your legs in the green spaces
Rangiora has some lovely spots to slow down. Victoria and Matawai Parks are right in the heart of town; the former is a more formal lawn and rose garden setting with a band rotunda, the latter is dotted with native plants and makes for an easy, peaceful walk. A little further out, Northbrook Wetlands is a real hidden gem – once the site of an old flax mill and tannery, it’s now home to a multitude of birdlife and a network of walking tracks that make you easily forget you’re minutes from the shops and the bustling township.
A bit of local history
Rangiora Museum is a small but genuinely interesting stop if you’re curious about how the town came to be – think old photographs, local artefacts and stories from the district’s farming roots. The museum is open on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. If you fancy a night out, the beautifully restored Rangiora Town Hall is now home to a boutique, multi-screen cinema with a licensed bar, so you can catch the latest film without leaving town.
Time it right for the market
If your visit lines up with it, the Rangiora Sunday Market at the Blake Street car park is worth building a morning around, with a great variety of local stalls. It runs regularly through the warmer months, so it’s worth checking the current dates before you head in. And if you’re here on a Friday morning, the ever-growing and super popular and diverse Ohoka Market is definitely worth a visit; enjoy great coffee, bacon butties… seek out the fresh artisan cheeses and breads for an easy lunch.
Get outdoors
For the more active among us, Rangiora Golf Club is a picturesque local course, and the Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park nearby has walking and mountain biking trails along the braided river – proper North Canterbury scenery. If you’ve got the kids with you, Dudley Park Aquatic Centre is heated and open year-round, with a lay river, learners and main pools: very handy on a cooler day.
Come home to The Riverstone
However you spend your day, it’s nice knowing you’ve got a comfortable, spotlessly clean room waiting back at The Riverstone – with free parking, free WiFi, and the Bar & Grill right next door if you don’t feel like going far for dinner. And there’s even “everyone’s favourite restaurant” nearby – where you can “add fries” to just about everything!
Booking your stay directly with us is always the easiest way to secure your accommodation for your Rangiora weekend – get in touch or book online any time.