Fairlie is the eastern gateway to the Mackenzie Country and provides an almost surreal contrast from its rich, green rolling hills and pastures as they respectfully submit to the grand, open, shimmering upland.  Enjoy the four seasons - vibrant bubbling spring, warm lazy summer, gloriously tinted autumn and silent snowy winter.  There is boating and fishing in the rivers and on Lake Opuha, there is hunting and hiking in the folded hills, there is fun and laughter on Mt Dobson ski area.

At the junction of two highways, one from Christchurch through Geraldine and one from Timaru through Pleasant Point and Albury, Fairlie exudes a happy, rural atmosphere and you will find much pleasure seeking out local crafts, artists, gardens, enjoying a round of golf, or investigating intriguing history at the museum and at Mabel Binney Cottage.  Call in to the art gallery featuring paintings of the area and see the early stone cottages at Kimbell before journeying onward.

In November 2003, a statue of James Mackenzie (19th century sheep rustler, after whom the region was named) was unveiled in Fairlie's Main Street.  The statue was created by Sam Mahon and has become a real point of interest in the village.