Canterbury & Christchurch Regional Information
From altitude, the region of Canterbury has two halves that contrast in the extreme. One is the incongruously jagged mountains of the Southern Alps, the other is the patchwork quilt of the agricultural plains, as smooth as a billiard table, interwoven with braided rivers.
It's as if Canterbury's early settlers, mostly from England, unwittingly brought with them an art for breaking land that would always be destined to become visually stunning. In autumn the tall poplars, silver dollars, oaks and elms planted over a century ago, shimmer silver, gold and copper tones spectacularly bejewelling the green, white and blue of the landscape. more
Canterbury Feature
Two great national parks
The spellbinding landscapes at Aoraki Mount Cook and Arthur's Pass will never be spoiled thanks to their being protected for all time by the Department of Conservation. There are fantastic walks and activities throughout each. more
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
PLACE
- Christchurch
- Take a romantic ride on the Avon River in a punt, complete with punts-man in a straw boater hat – much like the real thing in Oxford!
- More Places
ACTIVITY
- Arthur's Pass National Park
- Features beautiful fields of alpine flowers, native forests and wild mountains.
- More Activities
ROAD TRIP
- Christchurch to Arthur's Pass
- Travel across country, climbing from the Pacific coast alongside the massive Waimakariri River curving inland through Springfield.
- More Road Trips
