EAST SOUTH ISLAND
CANTERBURY REGION
The Canterbury Region stretches from the Pacific Ocean on the New Zealand South Island's east coast, through the inland patchwork fields of the Canterbury Plains to the rugged Southern Alps. Canterbury is a large region of variety; home to cities, farms, wineries, coastal townships and ski resorts. From the silvery beaches of the coast to the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps, the Canterbury landscape is totally captivating. When touring the area, you will be confronted by huge panoramas of ocean or mountain, great sweeps of pastureland and massive amounts of sky. It will be no problem to find accommodation in Canterbury, regardless of your requirements; the problem will be making a choice!
NORTH CANTERBURY: If you're looking for a relaxing holiday, North Canterbury is the place you want to be. Located between Christchurch and Kaikoura on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, and inland as far as Hanmer Springs, North Canterbury serves up the full menu of New Zealand attractions. North Canterbury is home to farms, wineries, beaches, ski resorts and intriguing historic sites. As well as the wine region of Waipara, North Canterbury boasts the natural wonder of Hanmer Springs hot pools, the isolated beauty of Amberley and Leithfield and the coastal splendour of Gore Bay and Motunau.
Kaikoura, meaning "meal of crayfish", forms part of the Alpine Pacific Triangle. Marine activities are the backbone of this seaside town, with everything from dolphin and whale watching, to surfing. Walking tracks, vineyards, horse treks, hiking, scenic flights and Maori cultural tours and an interesting Art Trail are also available. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and snow-capped mountain ranges, Kaikoura is scenically breathtaking. Accommodation in Kaikoura is easy to find; choose from luxury apartments, lodges and motor inns, self-catering motels, bed & breakfasts, backpacker accommodation and holiday parks with budget accommodation.
Hanmer Springs is famous for its superb thermal pools, but give yourself a few days to discover what else is on offer in this stunning alpine village and you won't want to leave! Hanmer really is a year-round, all-purpose destination; whether you're looking for a fun family holiday, a romantic weekend break, an action-packed adventure or a relaxing vacation. With its proximity to the Waiau River, Hanmer offers any number of water-based activities, including jet boating, fishing and rafting. Enjoy the hot pools at the thermal reserve. There's every temperature from lukewarm to piping hot, plus water slides for the children. The surrounding hills and mountains provide hunting, mountain biking, 4-wheel-driving and hiking, as well as skiing at Mt Lyford or Hanmer Springs Ski Area come winter. Bungy-jumping, mini-golf, horse riding, farm tours' the list of Hanmer Springs activities goes on. Accommodation in Hanmer Springs - choose from luxury lodges, self-catering apartments and motels, holiday homes to lease, a youth hostel, backpacker accommodation, and holiday parks with campervan and campsites.
CENTRAL CANTERBURY: In the centre of this diverse destination lies the region's picturesque capital - Christchurch, 'The Garden City' - and the rural appeal of Central Canterbury. The charming small towns of Rangiora, Woodend, Kaiapoi, Oxford, Darfield and Springfield may not be firm fixtures on the tourist map, but for a relaxing taste of heartland New Zealand you can't get much better. From the quaint and charming townships to the rugged and untouched high country, Central Canterbury can provide a relaxing holiday, a high-energy adventure or an ideal combination of the two. The Central South Island provides a wide selection of accommodation - whatever your budget, the Central South Island can accommodate you. Accommodation in New Zealand ranges from backpacker hostels to luxury lodges, and everything in between: hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, holiday parks, restored cottages and home-hosted stays on farms.
Rangiora is located 20 minutes by car to the north of the City of Christchurch and its International Airport. Accommodation in Rangiora NZ includes motel accommodation. The town has several interesting museums and some wonderful heritage buildings including one of Canterbury's oldest wooden churches. The beaches of Pegasus Bay are within easy reach and the nearby rivers are popular for fishing and walking. Rangiora was occupied by Maori for several hundred years before the arrival of Europeans. Rangiora is located between the Waimakariri and Ashley Rivers, close to several wineries and other local attractions.
Christchurch is guaranteed to impress with its alluring mix of English style and Kiwi character. Visit the iconic City Square and Christchurch Cathedral, or take a ride on the historic tram. Wide tree-lined avenues, beautifully maintained gardens, ambling inner city rivers and restored heritage buildings make Christchurch a picture perfect city. Centrepiece of the central city, the Christchurch Cathedral is a Canterbury icon. Built in the neo-Gothic period, the Cathedral is a testament to the city's early English settlers. Climb the steeple for a 360 degree view of Cathedral Square and the surrounding city. Accommodation in Christchurch - There are luxury hotels, apartments, motor lodges, bed & breakfasts and self-catering motels, as well as the more budget acommodation establishments. Select from backpacker lodges, a youth hostel, holiday parks and campgrounds, offering budget accommodation, campervan and campsites.
Arthurs Pass: High in the Southern Alps, nestled amongst mountains and beech forest, is Arthur's Pass Village. Picturesque valleys and ravines, roaring waterfalls and snow capped alpine peaks define stunning Arthur's Pass. From hiking and fishing in the summer, to skiing and ice skating in the winter months, Arthur's Pass National Park offers year-round outdoor recreation. Arthur's Pass is easily accessible by car, or on the world-famous TranzAlpine Express train journey.
Just 1½ hours from Christchurch, Arthur's Pass offers some of the best unspoilt hiking and scenery in New Zealand. In the centre of the village are a couple of restaurants / bars. Accommodation in Arthurs Pass New Zealand includes motel accommodation.
Akaroa: The Banks Peninsula is the intricate thumbprint that juts out from the South Island's east coast of New Zealand. Best known for Akaroa - the quaint French inspired village popular for dolphin watching - Banks Peninsula is home to so much more! An explosive volcanic history has turned Banks Peninsula into the complex and endlessly surprising labyrinth of bays, hills and harbours that it is today. Renowned for its charm, history and wildlife, Banks Peninsula is a superb place to spend a day, a week or an entire holiday. The majority of Banks Peninsula is easily accessible by car from Christchurch city. Akaroa accommodation includes hotels.
Ashburton District: From bustling city to remote back country vistas; from thrilling high-speed adventures to serene rivers and gardens; skiing to swimming; past to present, all in one compact location - it's no wonder Ashburton District is dubbed the 'Land of Surprising Contrasts'. Ashburton is located in the central South Island, just an hours drive south of Christchurch. Its options for adventure, entertainment and relaxation are seemingly endless, and all set amongst a colourful tapestry of farmland, interwoven with braided, fish-laden rivers. Centred around the city of Ashburton, the district also encompasses the towns of Methven Mt Hutt Village, Mt Somers and Rakaia - each a special destination, offering a different experience. Mount Hutt is considered by many to be the most consistent ski field in Australasia. It offers world class downhill and country skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding. Accommodation in Ashburton and Methven Mt Hutt includes lodge and backpacker, ski resorts, hotels and motels and self-contained apartments in Ashburton.
SOUTH CANTERBURY: The Central South Island area covers the towns of Timaru, Temuka, Pleasant Point, Geraldine and Waimate. The region sprawls between the east coast of the South Island, the Southern Alps to the west and the Waitaki region to the south. From Maori rock art to jam and cheese; wallabies to pottery; strawberries to steam trains, the Central South Island is a lively hotchpotch of home-grown New Zealand at its best. Attractive towns, lush pasture, rolling green hills and braided rivers make up the South Canterbury District. It is home to the country's largest Maori rock collection and many scenic and cultural activities.
Mt Cook - Mackenzie: Whether you come to explore, energise or invigorate, Mt Cook Mackenzie's spectacular alpine scenery, crystal clear horizons, turquoise coloured lakes and golden valleys promise to captivate and excite.
No visit to the region would be complete without experiencing New Zealand's highest peak - Aoraki Mt Cook. This dazzling mountain soars to 3654m, towering over the tussock lowlands. Snow-capped year round, the mountain can be ascended by experienced climbers, as well as viewed from the air. Bold, breathtaking and beautiful. Accommodation in the Mt Cook Village includes hotel accommodation. Twizel and the surrounding Mackenzie Basin makes a spectacular backdrop to the wide selection of activities that you will find available to you here. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie, or your passion is for something more sedate, you won't go away from Twizel disappointed. Accommodation in Twizel New Zealand includes self-contained accommodation in a holiday house.
Temuka is situated 19km north of Timaru. It functions as a service town for the surrounding rural area. Its main industry is the manufacture of ceramic wares from local clays. Temuka has a reputation for fine fishing rivers. The main attractions are the magnificent quinnat salmon, trout and at the river mouths, whitebait. Accommodation in Temuka includes hotels and motel accommodation and self-contained accommodation. Temuka is the central point between Christchurch and Dunedin and offers a selection of sporting venues. There are 6 golf courses within 20km. Levels International Motor Raceway 10km. Great fishing rivers (Rangitata river 25km) 10 minutes from Timaru, 1 hour from lakes, ski fields and Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Timaru - Canterbury's second largest city is surrounded by hills that slope gently down to beautiful Caroline Bay. The name Timaru means The Place of Shelter in Maori, as it was one of the few havens for sea-going canoes on this coast. Timaru has a range of restaurants and cafés that link the beach to the main shopping area. Caroline Bay is Timaru's main attraction. It has a safe swimming beach, a maze, mini-golf, a landscaped piazza and walks. Timaru District sits at the doorstep of many inland lakes where sailing, water skiing, boating, windsurfing and fishing are popular summer pastimes. At least five Central South Island ski fields are within easy distance - all less than 2 hours drive from the coast. Whether it's dropping a line from the wharf at Timaru in the hope of hooking a fish, sailing offshore on the sparkling Pacific Ocean, or tramping in nature's bush-clad hills, there's something to interest the whole family. Timaru's growing popularity with visitors has ensured a range of accommodation in Timaru for all budgets - hotels to motels, backpacker lodges and campgrounds and a selection of bed and breakfast establishments and some in historic houses.
