12 Hours Mid Canterbury

Begin in Ashburton's up-and-coming Triangle District at Triangle Espresso, the black building on the corner of Cass and Victoria Streets. It's a firm local favourite for Allpress coffee, a friendly buzz and honest food made on site, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Doors open at 6:30am on weekdays, so early risers are well looked after.

Across town on West Street, Rokowhiria Art & Heritage is home to both Ashburton's art gallery and its museum. Look for the white building with ochre features, then take your time with the gallery’s exhibitions and the stories of the district in the museum on the ground floor. The Rokowhiria shop is a good spot for books, jewellery and gifts. Open daily from 10am.

For decades, Ashburtonians have furnished their homes with help from Homestead Store in the brick-lined arcade on Tancred Street. Its window displays are award-worthy (quite literally), and inside you'll find kitchenware, homewares, collectables, clothing and gifts made to last. Don't leave without a bag of fudge for the road.

Back in The Triangle, look for the pink doorway that hints at a secret rabbit hole. Step inside The Rabbit and you'll find navy seating, brass touches, lush greenery and a ceiling painted with soft clouds. It's a café by day and a restaurant and bar by night, making it an easy pick for a long, relaxed lunch. If you'd rather keep it casual, Cleavers Corner on West Street is the locals' go-to for a hearty feed.

Take the Inland Scenic Route (SH72) towards the mountains and, around 40 minutes later, you'll reach the tiny village of Staveley. Look out for the giant coffee cup outside The Staveley Store, a red-roofed landmark that has anchored the village since around 1876. Grab a coffee and something sweet, then stretch your legs on the nearby Sharplin Falls Track, a bush walk to a waterfall at the foot of Mt Somers. Check the DOC website for current track conditions before you go.

From Staveley it's a short drive north to Methven and Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa. Rather than drawing heat from underground, Ōpuke warms glacial meltwater with a field of solar panels, making for a carbon-zero soak with views of the Southern Alps. The architecture is a highlight too, designed to evoke the nearby Rakaia Gorge. Book a pool session ahead of time, and stay for a drink poolside as the light fades.

Under a thatched awning and two red lanterns on Methven's Main Street, Aqua serves the kind of Japanese food a high country town has no right to expect. Chef-owner Chan has cooked the cuisine from Singapore to Christchurch, and his ramen, sushi and izakaya-style plates come with plenty of personality (and table-side chat). Dinner service starts at 5pm and wraps up at 8pm, so don't leave it too late.

A few doors along Main Street, Amara Bar & Snackery makes a convincing case for city-calibre cocktails in the foothills. Behind the lace-trimmed veranda you'll find plum and slate-blue walls, glowing shelves of spirits and a pair of vintage wooden skis nodding to Mt Hutt up the road. Settle in with a cocktail and a snack platter to round out your day. Open from 4pm, closed Tuesdays, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.