Springtime in Fairlie is characterised by contrasts. Warm nor-west days alternate with morning frosts and even snow is common through to late November.
The contrasting colours of freshly turned fields, green grass and new leaves on the trees against a backdrop of snowy hilltops provide great photographic opportunities.
Biking and Walking
Check out the Activities Page for a list of popular rides and
walks to suit the whole family. The flat single track of the River
Walk provides a good warm-up before crossing the Opihi River and
heading up steep Spur Road for a great 360 degree views down to the
Coast and along the Two Thumb range.
Fishing
The Lions Club run their annual fishing competition at Lake Opuha
in November.
The Open fishing season is generally October 1st to April 30th, however all year fishing is possible on many of the Hydro Lakes. Allowable fishing methods differ for some rivers and lakes. Check out the Fish & Game website for details or check with the agent when purchasing your fishing license. The Fairlie House & Garden shop sells fishing licenses.
Sightseeing
Click here to view
popular day trips from Fairlie or drop into the Information
Centre for more details and advice.
Summertime in Fairlie is characterised by warm days and long evenings, ideal for picnics by the lake or rivers, walking, biking and hiking in the town and surrounding areas.
For the children and young at heart:
Playground The playground is situated in a large park reserve where canopy trees provide shade from the hot sun, and plenty of park space for kicking a soccer or rugby ball around.
Paddling in the River and Lake: Generally low water flows in summer make the local Opihi River a safe area for supervised play and cooling off and Lake Opuha has gently sloping banks.
The Fairlie River Walk The walkway and cycleway begins just beside the Allandale Bridge and adjacent to the Fairlie Top 10 Holiday Park. From the end of this track you can either return via the same path or walk back up Talbot Street past the Ostrich Hatchery and back into town.
Jack Lovelock Memorial Track 8km. A combination of shingle and sealed roads suitable for easy cycling or walking, provides great views. The track loops from Nixons Road through to School Road.
The Autumn leaves changing colour herald the onset of Winter in the Fairlie District.
Mountain Bike races and golf tournaments stave off the winter chills for the Active, or plan your own mountain bike expedition.
Choose from the Pass to Pub Ride - across farmland from Burkes Pass to Albury Tavern
The Reiker Cycles Mt Dobson Races - down and around Mt Dobson Skifield
The Run79 Lake Tekapo Race - a circumference of Lake Tekapo for hardy souls.
Don't forget the Mackenzie Highland Show every Easter Monday - the largest one day Agricultural and Pastoral Show in Australasia.
Or visit the Fairlie Heritage Museum and local artists in Kimbell and Allandale.
Take a sightseeing trip through the Mackenzie Pass to Lake Tekapo and view the stunning contrast of colours and terrain from the rolling hills and Autumnal colours of the Fairlie Basin to the tussock grasslands, blue lakes and high mountains of the Mackenzie High Country.
Fairlie is a popular destination for friendly, relaxed, uncrowded skiing and snowboarding.
Three local skifields keep the town and surrounds buzzing through the cold winter months.
Mt Dobson has a large learner area with handheld tow and platter lift. The chairlift and T Bar take intermediate and advanced skiers to the top of the field. The field has ski hire and a canteen for hot food and drinks. Relaxed, family-oriented and blissfully uncrowded slopes.
Fox Peak is a club field, open to the Public. Rope tows and nutcrackers ensure the queues are non existent and the body keeps warm up and down the field. Great backcountry ski touring can be accessed from the top of the Apex tow.
Roundhill Skifield is situated along the shore of Lake Tekapo. An excellent field for children and ski hire and canteen facilities are available.
The Ski Shack in Fairlie has ski & snowboard hire and sales, and good supplies of ski clothing and accessories.
Site by Fairlie Agile