Springfield: Railway and Jet Boat History

Springfield is the westernmost settlement on the Central Canterbury Plains. Here, a distinctive railway connection, memorial sites and an unusual jet boat history come together. When planning your trip, it is worth considering these different attractions: Springfield could be the focus of a visit to a historic town, an important stop on a train journey, or a starting point for an experience on the water. The role you want the town to play in your trip is a good starting point for choosing accommodation.

Railway Station and Railway History

The station’s tea rooms have been converted into an information, arts and crafts, and memorial centre. When trains became the usual means of transport between Canterbury and the West Coast, the station’s refreshment rooms were very popular. The historic side of railway life and the conversion of the tea rooms are thus closely connected to Springfield’s local history.

Springfield is an important stop on the TranzAlpine train journey across the Southern Alps on the Midland Line. If you are planning this rail journey, the specific timetable will help you choose the right time to travel. Across from the station, the Midland Rail Heritage Trust is based in a former NZR locomotive depot. The station and depot represent different chapters in the town’s railway history.

Memorial Sites and Distinctive Attractions

A roadside reserve commemorates the fact that Springfield was the birthplace of Rewi Alley. The Springfield Doughnut offers a very different attraction: it is a giant replica of the iconic Simpsons doughnut. Earlier versions were destroyed and replaced with a giant concrete version. The contrast between the memorial site and the doughnut gives Springfield two very different points of remembrance.

Jet Boat World at Springfield Adventure Park offers an informative walk-through of the history of jet boating. Early jet boats and water-jet propulsion systems are on display, along with stories from the pioneering days. Jet Boat World was established to preserve and promote the cultural significance of New Zealand’s role in introducing the jet boat to the world. Technology, artefacts and stories together form the focus here.

Jet Boat Experiences and Trip Planning

Many skiers pass through Springfield on their way to the ski fields in the nearby mountains. This also makes the town a possible stopover on a trip to the alpine region. Alpine Jet Thrills operates in both Christchurch and Springfield. From Springfield, the company offers JetBoat and AirBoat experiences; its offering is described as New Zealand’s only AirBoat experience. Operating arrangements may change, so check availability before you travel.

There is a practical difference when choosing where to stay: a stop on the TranzAlpine journey depends on the train timetable, while you should check the availability of JetBoat and AirBoat experiences in advance. If you are considering Springfield as an overnight stop, these two points can help you coordinate your travel dates with the main activities planned for your stay.

More to Explore in the Selwyn District

The wider Selwyn District destination offers further cultural and natural highlights. St Paul’s Anglican Church and the old Tai Tapu Library were both completed in 1932. Sir Heaton Rhodes, who lived in nearby Otahuna, largely funded their construction. The Rakaia Gorge Walking Track runs along the edge of the gorge through striking geological areas featuring lava flows of rhyolite, pitchstone and andesite.

Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill features striking limestone formations in an area of particular significance to Ngāi Tahu and is regarded internationally as a world-class destination for climbing and bouldering. Cave Stream is a 594-metre-long cave in the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve. Two short tracks lead to the entrances; the cave passage can be walked through from one entrance to the other. Conditions in the cave call for careful preparation and caution.

Discover more destinations: Lake Pearson, Hunter, Tai Tapu, Diamond Harbour, Glenavy, Waikari, Governors Bay, Waipara.

For the wider travel overview: Canterbury.