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The region of Canterbury stretches from the majestic Southern Alps in the west to the waters of the Pacific Ocean in the east, from New Zealand's highest peak in the south to the deep ocean trench off the coast of Kaikoura in the north. Between these extremes lies a landscape of sheer mountainsides, green foothills, shingled riverbeds and rich agricultural plains.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city, a vibrant, cosmopolitan place heralded as the 'garden city'. The Avon River winds through the centre of Christchurch and trams clatter across the stone and ironwork bridges. Its Gothic revival cathedral, grey-stone 19th century buildings, tree-lined avenues and extensive leafy parks have preserved the grace and charm of an earlier era. This is a very welcoming city and the perfect base for a Canterbury experience.
• Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens:
close to the city centre
• Christchurch Tramway:
take an historic tram ride around the city centre. Trundle through the tree-lined streets, past buzzing streetside cafes. A great way to experience the inner city of Christchurch
• Christchurch Gondola:
unique views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula and Lyttelton Harbour unfold as passengers rise to the summit complex, located on the crater rim of an extinct volcano
• Punting on the Avon River:
sit back and relax in a guided punt past the sights of the central city
• 'Up, Up and Away':
take a dawn balloon flight over Christchurch city
• Guided walks: see Christchurch city and its heritage buildings
• The International Antarctic Centre:
the Centre features a real 'Snow and Ice Experience' and a 45-minute 'Behind the Scenes' tour of the Antarctic Campus
• The TranzAlpine train journey
From Christchurch city this journey crosses the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. The TranzAlpine winds its way over massive viaducts and through spectacular gorges and river valleys before tracking slowly across the country's greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps. It stops in the heart of the Southern Alps and Arthurs Pass village where passengers can get off the train. After passing through the Otira Tunnel, the TranzAlpine follows rivers, skirts lakes and descends through lush beech forest to the Tasman Sea and the town of Greymouth
• The TranzCoastal train journey
This journey departs Christchurch daily and travels to the port of Picton, where ferry passengers depart for the North Island. This journey is a scenic feast, with the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on one side of the train and steep mountains on the other.
Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula was formed eight million years ago by the violent eruptions of three volcanoes. Akaroa and Lyttelton Harbours are the eroded craters of two of these volcanoes. Akaroa, on Banks Peninsula, is Canterbury's oldest village and was originally settled by the French. However, it is also steeped in Maori, whaling and British history. Remnants of its French history are still visible in French street signs, early architecture and the French cemetery. Akaroa presents superb opportunities for boating, tramping, dolphin watching and swimming, mountain bike riding, 4WD safaris and horse riding. The area offers a wonderful selection of accommodation ranging from backpackers to four-star-plus motel facilities. 'Bed & Breakfasts' and farmstays, many in historic buildings, offer en suite facilities and a personal touch from their dedicated owners
Hanmer Springs and Hurunui District
The Hurunui district extends from Leithfield, 30 minutes north of Christchurch, to the Conway River, just south of Kaikoura. Most of the area is within 90 minutes' drive of Christchurch International Airport. Included in the region is Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve, one of the most popular thermal spa resorts in New Zealand. The Thermal Reserve has been used for generations, being one of the resting areas for Maori on their journeys to the West Coast for greenstone. The Waipara Valley, a 50-minute drive north of Christchurch, has developed a worldwide reputation for cool-climate wines. Wine trails enable visitors to learn about and taste a wide variety of wine and to dine at one of many vineyard cafes or restaurants. Follow the sign-posted touring route - Alpine Pacific Triangle - through the region.
Selwyn district
Selwyn district is known for its wineries, golf courses, high country lakes and rivers and Arthur's Pass National Park, which is in the heart of the Southern Alps. The Park has a diverse landscape, with forests, waterfalls, snowy peaks, walkways and trails, and rare wildlife including the endangered and reclusive kiwi and the kea, the cheeky mountain parrot. One of the most spectacular drives in the region is the journey on State Highway 73 between Darfield and Arthur's Pass. Lake Coleridge is another popular tourist destination. In the heart of the Southern Alps is Arthur's Pass National Park 114,500 hectares (282,716 acres). It is situated on an historic road between the Canterbury region in the east and the West Coast region. High mountains with large scree (loose rock) slopes feature along with wide, braided rivers, deep gorges and picturesque lakes. Arthur's Pass village lies in the centre of the Park, 154 km/96 miles from the city of Christchurch in the east and 100 km/62 miles from Greymouth in the west. The main road between Greymouth and Christchurch, State Highway 73, goes right through the Park and the village of Arthur's Pass. Winding in places, it is one of the country's most scenic routes.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura hugs a narrow strip of coastline that lies between mountain
peaks and the Pacific Ocean, approximately three hours north of
Christchurch. A variety of rare marine mammals converge here - sperm
whales, New Zealand fur seals, dolphins and penguinsspan.
Ashburton district
Ashburton district stretches from the Mt Hutt ski area in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. It has the Rakaia River in the north and the Rangitata River to the south as its other boundaries. The district is made up of four individual areas and is renowned for its salmon and trout fisheries, the agricultural patchwork plains leading to Mt Hutt ski resort, and high country farmstay and homestay operations.
Mount Cook/Mackenzie Country
Mackenzie Country is a high inland basin beneath the
Southern Alps and Mt Cook, south-west of Christchurch. Mt Cook (Aoraki) towers above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park. Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park is a harsh land of ice and rock. Glaciers cover 40 percent of it. There are 19 peaks over 3000 metres/9,836 feet including New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt Cook, or Aoraki as it is also known. Nudging one side of Mt Cook is the mighty Tasman Glacier, a 30 km/18 mile giant and one of the longest outside the Himalayas. Mt Cook village is an easy five-hour drive from Christchurch. Visitors are encouraged to take the Inland Scenic Route 72 from Christchurch to Fairlie, gateway to Mackenzie Country. From here the road passes through a land of turquoise lakes, vast open spaces and golden, tussock-covered hills rolling towards the towering Southern Alps. An excellent alternative route or return journey to Christchurch is via Omarama and Waimate (SH82), through more lake and river country and the peaceful Waimate District. |
