Title: Visit Ashburton Lakes: 2026 Travel Guide for Ashburton Lakes, Canterbury | Expedia.com [Hotels in Ashburton Lakes](https://expedia.com/Ashburton-Lakes-Hotels.d6351180.Travel-Guide-Hotels)[Vacation Rentals in Ashburton Lakes](https://expedia.com/Ashburton-Lakes-Vacation-Rentals.d6351180.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals)[Things to do in Ashburton Lakes](https://expedia.com/Things-To-Do-In-Ashburton-Lakes.d6351180.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Car Rentals in Ashburton Lakes](https://expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-Ashburton-Lakes.d6351180.Car-Rental-Guide)[Ashburton Lakes Vacation Packages](https://expedia.com/Ashburton-Lakes.d6351180.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Ashburton Lakes ## Travel Guide ![One of the most serene valleys I've ever visited, the Rangitata Valley on the south island of New Zealand. This was a big filming location in The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers film. This was the site for Edoras. ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6351180/f8487a4c-7588-4d12-af8a-ac0c3dcbbe2e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Lord of the Rings country! From the rocky outcrop of Mount Sunday (used as the location of Edoras - home of the Rohan) there's a 360-degree view of the Southern Alps. This was a highlight of our trip to New Zealand and is an easy walk from the Mount Sunday car park. The "Mount" itself is more of a hill really so don't be put off! Access is via a long, gravel track off State Highway 72 at Mount Somers (signposted Mt Potts). Whether you're a LOTR fan or not, if you enjoy raw, spectacular scenery you shouldn't miss it. Read more at http://www.aboveusonlyskies.com/mount-sunday-rohan/](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6351180/39cc14cc-5308-4555-929b-0a8ce0a3bb40.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Wonderful place on Earth](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6351180/8039f2aa-48f8-4298-bc8e-554900c18f40.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Mt. Sunday which you might recognize as Edoras in the Lord of the Rings - took them 11 months to build the set here, absolutely epic place! It's a 2.5 hr drive from Christchurch down gravel roads, usually ok in a regular 2WD car with an 1.5 hour return hike to the summit. Absolutely stunning, best visited in winter when there's snow on the mountains. It's a couple minutes past Mt. Potts Station where you can dine or sleep, no phone service anywhere near here](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6351180/b4c844e6-af13-4399-a257-c19b1d01e832.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![On the road to Edoras (My Sunday)](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6351180/445e635a-9369-4dd3-b4de-af31b9970f82.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Ashburton Lakes Things to do - Ashburton Lakes Hotel Deals - Vacation Rentals in Ashburton Lakes ![Methven Resort](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/59000000/58450000/58441600/58441513/97d2835f_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Methven Resort 51 Main St Methven Canterbury $83 nightly $96 total Mar 31 - Apr 1 Total with taxes and fees Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Methven. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and 3 meeting rooms. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ... 8.2/10 Very Good! (168 reviews) Stayed just the one night. Good advice from staff for restaurants. Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?startDate=3%2F31%2F2026&endDate=4%2F1%2F2026&selected=58441513&PinnedHotelID=58441513&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=6351180) ![Ski Time Lodge](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/5000000/4150000/4140600/4140555/b100ba4b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Ski Time Lodge 39 Racecourse Avenue Methven $65 nightly $76 total Apr 9 - Apr 10 Total with taxes and fees Book a stay at this ski lodge in Methven. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ... 9.6/10 Exceptional! (416 reviews) Good service at reception after hours. Reviewed on Feb 19, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?startDate=4%2F9%2F2026&endDate=4%2F10%2F2026&selected=4140555&PinnedHotelID=4140555&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=6351180) ![Methven Motels & Apartments](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/10000000/9630000/9626000/9625946/9fb06908_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Methven Motels & Apartments 197 Main Street Methven $87 nightly $101 total Mar 29 - Mar 30 Total with taxes and fees Stay at this motel in Methven. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Opuke Thermal ... 9/10 Wonderful! (267 reviews) Rooms were clean and tidy with comfortable beds. Owners were very friendly and a pleasure to talk to with great advice when holidaying in Methven. Reviewed on Mar 12, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?startDate=3%2F29%2F2026&endDate=3%2F30%2F2026&selected=9625946&PinnedHotelID=9625946&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=6351180) [See all 98 properties in Ashburton Lakes](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience&startDate=3%2F25%2F2026&endDate=3%2F26%2F2026®ionId=6351180) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply. ![Peel Cottage - A Romantic Country Retreat](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/124000000/123150000/123146400/123146398/36b66417_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Peel Cottage - A Romantic Country Retreat Peel Forest Canterbury Region Stay at this cottage in Peel Forest. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attraction Peel Forest Park is located nearby. 9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews) Cute little cottage. Well appointed, comfortable firm mattresses. Amazing garden. Lots of lovely extra touches ie phone chargers by the bed (universal c), herbs with the salt and pepper, laundry powder in the laundry. My husband adored the marmalade. Thank you for a pleasant weekend break. Reviewed on Mar 8, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Peel-Forest-Hotels-Peel-Cottage-A-Romantic-Country-Retreat.h123146398.Hotel-Information) ![Pudding Hill Lodge & Chalets](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/94000000/93480000/93473000/93472993/2e3cea0a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Pudding Hill Lodge & Chalets 5259 Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd Methven Canterbury Stay at this chalet in Methven. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Awa Awa Rata Reserve and Methven Golf Course are located ... 9.4/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews) Lovely stay with my young family. Very clean, very peaceful and had everything we needed Reviewed on Nov 12, 2025 [](https://expedia.com/Methven-Hotels-Pudding-Hill-Lodge-Chalets.h93472993.Hotel-Information) ![Mt Hutt Views at 23 Methven. Fabulous Methven Apartment with Great Mountain View](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/112000000/111660000/111655300/111655293/76f4bf42_edited_f5af_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Mt Hutt Views at 23 Methven. Fabulous Methven Apartment with Great Mountain View Methven Canterbury Stay at this apartment in Methven. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and tennis courts. Popular attractions Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa and Methven Golf Course ... 9.8/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews) Kitchen fully equipped views out of the window of mountains Reviewed on Mar 24, 2026 [](https://expedia.com/Methven-Hotels-Mt-Hutt-Views-At-23-MethvenFabulous-Methven-Apartment-With-Great-Mountain-View.h111655293.Hotel-Information) [See all properties in Ashburton Lakes](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience®ionId=6351180&sort=VACATION_RENTAL) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply. ## Check Ashburton Lakes hotel availability [Tonight ](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=2026-03-24&endDate=2026-03-25)[Mar 24 - Mar 25](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=2026-03-24&endDate=2026-03-25) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=2026-03-25&endDate=2026-03-26)[Mar 25 - Mar 26](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=2026-03-25&endDate=2026-03-26) [This weekend ](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=3%2F27%2F2026&endDate=3%2F29%2F2026)[Mar 27 - Mar 29](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=3%2F27%2F2026&endDate=3%2F29%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=4%2F3%2F2026&endDate=4%2F5%2F2026)[Apr 3 - Apr 5](https://expedia.com/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6351180&startDate=4%2F3%2F2026&endDate=4%2F5%2F2026) ### Popular places to visit #### Mt Sunday Summit Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Mt Sunday Summit during your travels in Ashburton Lakes. [](https://expedia.com/Mt-Sunday-Summit-Ashburton-Lakes.d553248635998085755.Vacation-Attraction) ### Things to do ![Lord of the Rings - Journey to Edoras Tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1307122/19c59e42-f73d-467b-bd12-96feaaf31bef.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch $197 per adult **98%** of travellers recommend [](https://expedia.com/things-to-do/lord-of-the-rings.a1307122.activity-details) [See all activities in Ashburton Lakes](https://expedia.com/Things-To-Do-In-Ashburton-Lakes.d6351180.Travel-Guide-Activities) ## Cities near Ashburton Lakes ![In the mountains of New Zealand, it's just breath-taking!](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6344455/bf60ec11-8b4c-4eef-a913-ad572feb538a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Peel Forest ## Explore a world of travel with Expedia - Lodging - Flights - Packages - Cars - Vacation Rentals - [Hotels near Mt Sunday Summit ](https://www.expedia.com/Mt-Sunday-Summit-Hotels.0-l553248635998085755-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels) - [Staveley Hotels ](https://www.expedia.com/Staveley-Hotels.d6272064.Travel-Guide-Hotels) - [Vacation Homes in Staveley ](https://www.expedia.com/Staveley-Private-Vacation-Homes.d6272064-aaPrivateVacationHomes.Travel-Guide-Accommodation) - [Mount Somers Hotels ](https://www.expedia.com/Mount-Somers-Hotels.d6343741.Travel-Guide-Hotels) - [Motels in Mount Somers ](https://www.expedia.com/Mount-Somers-Motels.d6343741-aaMotels.Travel-Guide-Accommodation) - [Resorts in Staveley ](https://www.expedia.com/Staveley-Resorts.d6272064-aaResorts.Travel-Guide-Accommodation) - [Surrey Hills Hotels ](https://www.expedia.com/Surrey-Hills-Hotels.d692483986904514560.Travel-Guide-Hotels) - [Resorts in Mount Somers ](https://www.expedia.com/Mount-Somers-Resorts.d6343741-aaResorts.Travel-Guide-Accommodation) - [Montalto Hotels ](https://www.expedia.com/Montalto-Hotels.d692483603116552192.Travel-Guide-Hotels) - [Flights to Montalto ](https://www.expedia.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Montalto.d692483603116552192.Travel-Guide-Flights) - [Flights to Surrey Hills ](https://www.expedia.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Surrey-Hills.d692483986904514560.Travel-Guide-Flights) - [Flights to Staveley ](https://www.expedia.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Staveley.d6272064.Travel-Guide-Flights) - [Visit Surrey Hills ](https://www.expedia.com/Surrey-Hills.dx692483986904514560) - [Visit Mount Somers ](https://www.expedia.com/Mount-Somers.dx6343741) - [Visit Staveley ](https://www.expedia.com/Staveley.dx6272064) - [Staveley Vacations ](https://www.expedia.com/Staveley.d6272064.Destination-Travel-Guides) - [Montalto Vacations ](https://www.expedia.com/Montalto.d692483603116552192.Destination-Travel-Guides) - [Car rentals near Mount Somers ](https://www.expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-Mount-Somers.d6343741.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Car rentals near Surrey Hills ](https://www.expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-Surrey-Hills.d692483986904514560.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Mount Somers Vacation Rentals ](https://www.expedia.com/Mount-Somers-Vacation-Rentals.d6343741.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals) - [Montalto Vacation Rentals ](https://www.expedia.com/Montalto-Vacation-Rentals.d692483603116552192.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals) - Cities near Ashburton Lakes - Places of interest [Mount Somers](https://expedia.com/Mount-Somers.dx6343741)[Peel Forest](https://expedia.com/Peel-Forest.dx6344455)[Surrey Hills](https://expedia.com/Surrey-Hills.dx692483986904514560)[Double Hill](https://expedia.com/Double-Hill.dx692485953736634368)[Ramsay](https://expedia.com/Ramsay.dx692486448248979456) - [Mount Cook National Park ](https://expedia.com/Mount-Cook-National-Park-Mount-Cook.d6139475.Vacation-Attraction) - [Mount Hutt Skifield ](https://expedia.com/Mount-Hutt-Skifield-Mount-Hutt.d6113020.Vacation-Attraction) - [Rakaia Gorge ](https://expedia.com/Rakaia-Gorge-Canterbury.d6060656.Vacation-Attraction) - [Roundhill Ski Area ](https://expedia.com/Roundhill-Ski-Area-Tekapo.d6241344.Vacation-Attraction) - [Rakaia Gorge Walkway ](https://expedia.com/Rakaia-Gorge-Walkway-Windwhistle.d674175258858565632.Vacation-Attraction) - [Peel Forest Park ](https://expedia.com/Peel-Forest-Park-Peel-Forest.d6113028.Vacation-Attraction) - [Towers Triple Chair ](https://expedia.com/Towers-Triple-Chair-Mount-Hutt.d6214238.Vacation-Attraction) - [Godley Glacier ](https://expedia.com/Godley-Glacier-Mount-Cook.d637917078581800960.Vacation-Attraction) - [Awa Awa Rata Reserve ](https://expedia.com/Awa-Awa-Rata-Reserve-Canterbury.d6113022.Vacation-Attraction) - [Summit Six Chair ](https://expedia.com/Summit-Six-Chair-Mount-Hutt.d6214228.Vacation-Attraction) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save even more - get up to 20% on select hotels when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app