The Ashburtorn district offers a surprisingly wide variety of shops and business services for locals and tourist visitors. The central town is well designed so visitors can easily walk around the lovely shops, restaurants and local cafes, however there is plenty of parking available for cars, motorhomes and campervans.

Expect to find many typical smaller town shops and business services, however visitors can still enjoy a modest range of fashion shops for men and women, including shoes and accessories, all easily located within the main shopping area. There are also some of usual brand chain-store type shops, including Postie + for affordable family clothing as well as Whitcoulls and Paper Plus for all your stationary and book purchases,

The Ashburton district offers the recreational water sport enthusiast plenty to get excited about, which is why you wont have much trouble finding a store or two offering jet ski hire and during the winter time, ski and snowboard hire. Jace’s Ski Hutt is located in Methven and is the 5 star ski and snowboard shop for all your buying and hiring for your Mt Hutt winter experience. Jace’s Ski Hutt offers high quality retail, the latest rental equipment and top quality ski and board servicing.

Along with a great selection of local town shopping, the district is renowned for its fabulous and diverse range of arts and crafts, including the Ashburton Art Gallery. This public art gallery attracts some wonderful local, national and international touring exhibitions along with music and performing art events.

Ashford Art and Craft Village is located in West Street where visitors can enjoy a selection of shops clustered around the historic Mill House, including a cafe, art gallery, craft co-operative, antiques, collectables, beauty and natural health therapies, gifts, spinning, weaving and much more.

Ashburton may boast a great selection of specialist art and craft stores, however you will still be able to easily locate general shops for your everyday or general requirements, including pharmacy shops, hairdressers, florists, travel agents, supermarkets, banks, post office, photography, etc.

Major credit cards are accepted in most shops along with banks that can assist with changing travellers’ cheques and foreign currency.