Canterbury – Bespoke New Zealand Itineraries

Canterbury is the South Island's natural starting point, anchored by Christchurch and extending into some of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine and coastal landscapes.

Like much of the country, Christchurch is a seaside haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Known as “the gateway city” to the South Island, it's the access point to Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park, part of UNESCO’s Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage site. Two hours north along the coast is Kaikoura, a paradise for marine-enthusiasts, and Marlborough is just two hours beyond that.

A lone figure stands on a dark pebble beach looking toward distant mountains under a pale sky.

Snow-capped Southern Alps reflect in a still turquoise alpine lake in Canterbury, New Zealand.

A winding rural road passes through golden meadows with green forested hills in New Zealand.

Why visit Canterbury?

Since the 2011 earthquake that leveled many parts of the city, Christchurch has reconstructed itself in the image of a town that’s cooler, hipper, and younger without relinquishing its past. Stone Gothic-revival architecture towers above microbreweries and shipping containers house take-away restaurants, perfect for a picnic in the greenscape of Hagley Park or the riverside botanic gardens. If the weather is nice, go punting along the river. You can (and should) use your time in Christchurch as a base for exploring the Banks Peninsula and the French fishing village of Akaroa. In addition, the city is close to the tranquil hot springs at Hanmer Springs and world-class wines at Hurunui. The Canterbury Plains are also a spectacularly beautiful spot for a hike or bit of biking.

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Since the 2011 earthquake that leveled many parts of the city, Christchurch has reconstructed itself in the image of a town that’s cooler, hipper, and younger without relinquishing its past. Stone Gothic-revival architecture towers above microbreweries and shipping containers house take-away restaurants, perfect for a picnic in the greenscape of Hagley Park or the riverside botanic gardens. If the weather is nice, go punting along the river. You can (and should) use your time in Christchurch as a base for exploring the Banks Peninsula and the French fishing village of Akaroa. In addition, the city is close to the tranquil hot springs at Hanmer Springs and world-class wines at Hurunui. The Canterbury Plains are also a spectacularly beautiful spot for a hike or bit of biking.
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Aoraki Mount Cook National Park forms part of the Southern Alps and is home to New Zealand’s highest peak. Mount Cook is a hiker’s paradise. For experienced climbers (who may seek inspiration from Sir Edmund Hillary who trained for climbing Mount Everest on Mount Cook!), the park is home to 23 impressive peaks. For those less technical and just looking for a soft adventure, there are handfuls of trails that enjoy vistas of huge peaks, glaciers (including the 27-kilometer long Tasman Glacier), and permanent snowfields as a backdrop. It’s simply stunning.
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South-east of Mount Cook is Lake Tekapo with its milky-turquoise waters. Mount Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo are included on the list of International Dark Sky Places where the stargazing is spectacular. In July and August, on a clear winter’s night near the new moon, you may see the Southern Lights (identical to the Northern Lights, but in the southern hemisphere) from one of the observatories in the region. The lupins along the Lake’s shores burst into their (peak) pink and purple glory from mid-November to end-December. If you plan to travel around that time, go see them!

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Other areas to explore

A visit to Canterbury puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of New Zealand.

Marlborough

Just across the Cook Straight from Wellington, Marlborough shares its climate and winemaking prowess with New Zealand's capital city.

Turquoise water laps a golden sandy beach framed by green bush in Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman and Nelson

Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park, but its most-visited, and for good reason.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to the largest Polynesian population in the world.

West Coast

Sandwiched between the dominant Southern Alps and the untamed Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s West Coast region is perfect for those who are looking for an adventure, but don’t need it handed to them on a silver platter.

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