Canterbury Region - Places To Go

Campervanning: the spontaneous way to travel

If the idea of a guided tour brings you out in spots, you’ll be wanting to bring yourself to the spots you most want to see. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Road trips

Great Coast Road: roadtripping at its best

Drive the length of the South Island, skirting the West Coast and traversing through the Southern Alps, and experience bountiful roadtripping at its very best. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Activities

Hanmer Springs: soothe the soul at New Zealand's alpine sanctuary

Soothe the soul in world-class thermal pools nestled in a high-country spa village flanked by towering mountains. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Heritage and history

The Church of the Good Shepherd: the most photographed church with the best views

Visit this iconic church set above the shoreline and stunning views of Lake Tekapō. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Activities

Akaroa: French heritage charm and the finest of foods

This is the place where sheltered harbour, French heritage, colonial architecture and a passion for fine food fuse perfectly together. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Natural attractions

Southern stars: see the rare but spectacular Aurora Australis

See the rare but spectacular Aurora Australis from the 4300-square kilometre UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Natural attractions

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park: the iconic peak that is the snapshot of the south

Explore snowy mountainscapes, turquoise glacier-fed lakes and the snow tussock grassland of alpine valleys in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Family fun

World Buskers Festival: taking back the streets

This is a mixed-up mash-up of comedy, art, music and dance, with some heavyweight local and international performers. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Must-Do's

Christchurch’s street art: an expression of solidarity

This isn’t a couple of cute billboard-type pieces put up in obvious places. This is a thing. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Natural attractions

The Hermitage: a haven for the adventurous

Not much has changed in the view from the Hermitage from the day it was opened in 1884. Jagged, snowy peaks in every direction and the fast-flowing Hooker River outside the front door. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Activities

Hanmer Springs: alpine adventures and indulgence

There’s not much better than lounging in hot mineral water when the ground around you is covered with snow and there’s a biting southerly blowing down from the tops. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Natural attractions

Lake Tekapō: shimmering beauty

By day, the view’s pretty spectacular – the arid splendour of the Mackenzie Country dominated by Aoraki Mount Cook. But you really want to be here when it gets dark... Read the story . . .

Find out more

Food and drink

Eat crayfish in Kaikōura: dine al fresco on this hallmark cuisine

In Māori, kai means food and kōura means crayfish. Right. The water off this cool coast is wild with sealife, including that New Zealand delicacy: crayfish. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Activities

Whale watching: close encounters on the water

The Hikurangi Trench off the coast of Kaikōura is home to a wealth of deep-sea marine life, including orca, blue and humpback whales. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Things to do

The not-so-distant summit: day hikes to mountain tops

Mountain climbing doesn’t just have to be for the experienced or those inclined to take risks. There are plenty of spectacular summits in New Zealand that can be reached with little more than the right provisions, a propensity for physical exercise and common sense. Read the story . . .

Find out more

Things to do

Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway

Observe seals and seabirds, explore historic pā and whaling sites and enjoy sensational clifftop views of the sea and mountains from this unique walking track. Read the story . . .

Showing 1 - 16 of 81 results