Cust is set on terraces overlooking rural farmland and across to rolling hills and the mountains of Thomas, Richardson and Oxford. The village was first known as Moeraki Downs, then for a time as Middleton or Middleton-on-the-Cust being the middle town between Oxford and Rangiora. The nearby Cust river was named after Sir Edward Cust in 1849, who was a member of the Canterbury Association, which organised the immigrant ships, and early settlement of Canterbury 1850 - 1853. Later, Cust was adopted to be the name for the town.
Located in Cust is the Route 72 Cafe Bar Emporium, a treasure trove of unique gifts and a favourite stop for food and coffee. Just along the road is the Cust Hotel, which was built in the early 1860's as an accommodation house and became licensed in 1863. The licence required stables to be available for traveller's horses and became a favourite 'halfway house' for the bullock wagoners carting timber from 'Harewood Forest' (Oxford) to Rangiora. The original hotel is incorporated in the present building.
A visit to the Cust Museum, open Sunday 2pm - 4pm (or at other times by arrangement), will provide you with further information about the settlement and development of Cust and the surrounding area.
Only 1.5kms north of Cust on Mill Road, is the Cust Domain. The spacious 11 hectares contains sports fields, equestrian arena, freedom camping area, picnic area, kitchen and pavillion available for hire. Contact Bernard Kingsbury, ph +64 3 312 5839.
Discover Cust
Discover Cust
A taste of Cust
Cust is a popular stop on the Inland Scenic Route 72 with a peaceful village atmosphere and friendly locals that will look after you:
- Roses at Cust
- Route 72 Cafe Bar Emporium
- From the Farm Gate
- Cust Museum - Open Sunday 2pm - 4pm or by appointment
- Away With The Fairys
- Cust Hotel
- Cust Community Centre, reserve and playground
- Cust Domain
Route 72 Cafe
| Mouth watering cuisine, a glass of local wine, a cold beer or G & T (fully licenced). More details ... |
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03 Oct 2010 |
Cust MuseumThe Cust Museum portrays the heritage and history of the area bounded by Bennetts, Fernside, the Ashley River and the Waimakariri River. Material available for family research. |



