Vintage Heaven, Temuka

Our town of Temuka was once known by local Māori as "The Place of the Hot Ovens", or Te-umu-kaha, as they used huge earthen ovens bake the roots of the cabbage tree.

We are known world-wide for our iconic Temuka pottery, but our small township has plenty more to offer.

The best things to see and do in and around Temuka

Fossick for Vintage Treasure

Temuka is a second hand shoppers dream.  At last count there are 6 stores selling vintage goods, rooms full of furniture and treasure to discover.  The op shop scene is still vibrant in the South Island, our stores haven't been cleaned out of all the good finds.

The best time to hit the shops is during the week, some of the stores close in the weekend, although still worth a visit to the ones that are.

Green Hayes Cafe and Emporium is a new pop-up vintage store at Green Hayes historic homestead.  Pop in for coffee, soft serve ice cream, antiques, collectables, retro, vintage, new & used. Open 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Thursday to Sunday.

Temuka Pottery

Temuka Pottery is world famous and we've been producing it since 1931. Temuka Pottery now features an array of colourful and fashionable designs, available to view and purchase at the Temuka Pottery Shop.  The cafe attached to the shop does great food and coffee too.

Richard Pearse

Just ask anyone in Temuka who flew first, Richard Pearse or the Wright Brothers, you are sure to get the right answer.  Local legend Richard Pearse.

In either 1903 or 1904, he took his first flight, watched only by a few neighbours,   he taxied his home-built machine into position, opened the throttle and lifted off, flying just a short distance before landing ignominiously in a gorse hedge.

Want to know more?  Then check out the Richard Pearse website or visit the Richard Pearse Memorial, Main Waitohi Road, Waitohi, South Canterbury.

Check out the market

Catch up with the makers and growers every Saturday at the Temuka Market in the town square.  You can expect to find yummy food, handcrafted goods and second hand treasures.

Temuka Courthouse Museum

The Temuka Courthouse Museum is a great way to find out about our rich history.   We used this amazing ornate building as a courthouse right up until 1979.

The museum is open on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm, Labour Weekend to Queen’s Birthday Weekend, or by arrangement with the Temuka Information Centre.

The Temuka Domain

The Domain covers 75 hectares of land and is great place to play in, have a picnic or just sit back and soak up the atmosphere.

There's a new disc golf course, a swimming pool, a skate park, a mini golf course, a children's playground, an awesome aviary, colourful gardens, stately trees and an area of native bush called Gunnions Bush, named after Mr T Gunnion as he planted it way back in 1910.

Scoff great food

Temuka has great options for scoffing.  Here are a few options to get you started.  If you're dining in check out The Jolly Potter and Austin92.  Creative Food is a fabulous bakery, famous for gourmet pies and amazing cakes.  Or The Shearer's Quarters, just out of Temuka, is a family destination with great food and activities for kids.

Walk the tracks

Work up an appetite walking around the Domain, or check out these tracks for more.

Try out the bike track

Temuka School have put in an epic new bike track, that people are welcome to use outside school hours.  Designed in consultation by the school pupils, there's a section suitable for learning to bike and a more advanced section for practicing your skills.

Opihi River Mouth

The Opihi River Mouth is a great place for fishing, camping, swimming, picnics, collecting 'stuff' and wildlife spotting  - dolphins and porpoises, seals, even a Southern Right whale and her calf have visited!

Go Fishing

Anglers from around the world are drawn to our fine fishing rivers especially where the Rangitata and Opihi rivers meet the Pacific Ocean.

We're proud of our quinnat salmon, but our whole area is also well known for its excellent trout fishing and the variety of nearby waterways.

For more information about fishing seasons and licenses, check out Central South Island Fish and Game.