Springfield

Springfield is a small town in the foothills of the Torlesse Range on the way to the Craigieburn ski fields and Arthur's Pass. It was an important source of coal for Christchurch and later became an important staging post to service the stage coaches travelling to the West Coast.

Get in

Springfield hosts the last fuel station and garage before Arthur's Pass. Springfield Motors also operates a salvage truck.

By bus

• West Coast Shuttle, ☏ +64 3 7680028, travel@westcoastshuttle.co.nz. Springfield to Christchurch, about 10:45AM from Springfield Motors. From Christchurch, departs 123 Worcester St at 3PM. 

By train

Main article: Rail travel in New Zealand

• 1 TranzAlpine Train, ☏ +64 4 495 0775, bookings@tranzscenic.co.nz. Once daily to Greymouth at 9:15AM and towards Christchurch at 5:12PM.  

See

• 1 Springfield Doughnut (Homer's Donut). A 3.5-m sculpture of a doughnut, inspired by Homer's doughnut from The Simpsons. (updated Jan 2024)
• St Peters Church
• 2 Rewi Alley Memorial. memorial to Rewi Alley (1897–1987). (updated Jan 2024)

Do

• Four ski fields in the Craigieburn ranges.
• 1 Adventure Trailrides, Rubicon Valley Farm, Springfield, Selwyn, ☏ +64 27 451 0584. Guided off-road motorcycle tours from a half-day to 10 days. All tours include an experienced guide, transport from Christchurch, motorcycle or ATV rental, fuel, insurance, riding gear, lunch and support vehicle. Overnight tours also include twin share accommodation and all meals. 5- to 10-day tours require a minimum of two riders. 2-hour tour $195, 5-day tour $4000. (updated Jun 2017)

Eat

• 1 Taste of Kiwi, 5666 West Coast Road, ☏ +64 3-318 4840, nnfoodlimited@gmail.com. 8:30AM–3:30PM. (updated Jul 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Springfield Hotel. 
• 2 Smylies (Springfield Motel), Main West Coast Rd (on left as you come into Springfield from Christchurch), ☏ +64 3-3184740. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Smylies has been based in Springfield since the 1990s. It has all the facilities a tired traveller needs, down to a gym and Playstation 3. A chef who cooks meals for around $20. It has studio motel units, 2 bedroom and a fully serviced 3-bed cottage. $28-120. 

Go next

Routes via Springfield (New Zealand)

Kumara ( jcn) ← Arthur's Pass National Park ←

NW  SE

→ Darfield → Christchurch