Canterbury

New Zealand's largest region by area, with varied scenery from Christchurch to the Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo and Kaikōura.

Canterbury lies in the central east of the South Island, with the Pacific to the east and the Southern Alps to the west, and the broad Canterbury Plains in between. Christchurch is the South Island's largest city and main gateway. Inland are Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Lake Tekapo and the dark-sky reserve; on the northern coast Kaikōura is famed for whale watching, and Akaroa on Banks Peninsula has a French flavor. Hanmer Springs, Arthur's Pass and the alpine scenic train are also popular. It can be visited in every season, and in winter you can ski. Christchurch International Airport is the main entry point.

Destinations

• Christchurch
• Kaikōura
• Lake Tekapo & Aoraki/Mount Cook
• Oamaru
• Hanmer Springs

Itineraries

• New Zealand South Island In-Depth Grand Loop – A complete loop of the South Island starting from Christchurch, connecting coastlines, glaciers, fjords, peninsulas, an…
• New Zealand North to South: Auckland to Queenstown – Head south from Auckland through geothermal areas and Wellington, cross the strait, and explore the lakes and fjords to…
• Christchurch to Queenstown Lakes & Fjords – A one-way self-drive through the Mackenzie Basin, Mount Cook, Wanaka, and Fiordland, ending in Queenstown.
• Christchurch Alpine Pacific Triangle – A weekend loop heading north from Christchurch for whale watching, inland to a hot spring town, and back.
• TranzAlpine Train & West Coast Glaciers – Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, then drive along the West Coast glaciers to Queenstown.