Southbridge is a small town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 45 kilometres southwest of Christchurch, between Leeston, Dunsandel and the Rakaia River. The town serves mainly as a centre for agricultural services, but also has nearly 70 small to medium-sized businesses, a swimming pool, tennis courts, Southbridge Primary School, and many other attractions. On 13 July 1875, a branch line railway was opened from Christchurch to Southbridge.