Scenic Highlights

Top Canterbury scenic highlights

In Canterbury, contrasts are everywhere you look - the rugged alps next to smooth, green plains; the wild Pacific alongside the magnificent Kaikoura Ranges; cool, blue lakes framed by golden tussock.

Selected highlights at a glance

A fantasy land of ice and rock - Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

The boundaries of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park encircle New Zealand's highest mountains and largest glaciers. The park is part of Te Wahipounamu, the South Westland World Heritage Area, in recognition of its outstanding natural value. From Twizel, a sealed road leads along the edge of beautiful Lake Pukaki right into the park. Mount Cook Village lies at the end of the road, just below the terminals of the Hooker and Mueller Glaciers.

According to Maori legend, Aoraki and his three brothers were the sons of Rakinui, the Sky Father. They were on a voyage around Papatuanuku, the Earth Mother, when their canoe was stranded after striking a reef in the ocean. Aoraki and his brothers climbed onto the top their canoe. The cold south wind froze them, and turned them into stone. Their canoe became New Zealand's South Island, which was then called Te Waka o Aoraki. Aoraki, the tallest of the brothers, became the highest peak. His brothers and crew became the other mountains of the Southern Alps.

Not far from the national park is Lake Tekapo, a remarkable turquoise coloured lake framed by the majesty of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo is given its intense milky-turquoise hue by fine rock-flour - dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the lake's waters. Walk to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps. Look also for the sheepdog monument - a bronze statue sculpted to recognise the district's debt to the sheepdog 'without the help of which the grazing of the mountainous country would be impossible'.

Inland Scenic Route 72

The Inland Scenic Route 72 is perfect for the traveller who likes to get off the main highways and find real rural life. The route starts at Amberley in the north of the Canterbury region and runs to Rangiora, parallel to State Highway 1. It then follows State Highway 72 inland, past the Mount Hutt ski field. On one side of the road are fabulous views of the mountains and on the other are beautiful vistas of the Canterbury Plains. The route continues to Geraldine and ends at Winchester, linking back up with State Highway 1.

Where the mountains meet the sea

Drive north from Christchurch for a couple of hours and you'll reach Kaikoura - famous for its marine life and stunning scenery. There is no more spectacular sight than to see Kaikoura township nestled at the base of the snow topped Southern Alps, bordered by the Pacific Ocean. The drive is a scenic highlight in itself, taking you from the flat greenness of the Canterbury Plains to the craggy landscape of the Kaikoura coastline.

The awesome alpine scenery of Arthur's Pass

In the heart of the Southern Alps is Arthur's Pass National Park, situated on the road connection between Canterbury and the west coast. High mountains with large scree slopes are a major landscape feature, along with wide braided rivers, steep gorges and native forest. Arthur's Pass village lies in the centre of the park, providing a base for hikers who come to walk the alpine trails.

The TranzAlpine train journey is an inspired way to appreciate Arthur's Pass. From your carriage you'll see the serene Canterbury Plains, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. The train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech forest to the west coast town of Greymouth

The charm of Akaroa and Banks Peninsula

A one and a half hour drive south-east of Christchurch, Banks Peninsula is the result of violent eruptions from three ancient volcanoes. The spectacular coastline of Akaroa Harbour and the surroundings bays are the legacy of the earth's fury. The Ngai Tahu Maori tribe had already discovered the charm of the location well before Captain Cook sighted Akaroa Harbour in the 1770s. Akaroa is the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Their influence is still evident in this vibrant tourist town - look for French street names, quaint historic buildings and inspired cuisine.

The sights and scents of Christchurch Botanic Gardens

The grounds of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens encompass an area of 30 hectares alongside the Avon River. The rose garden is central to the Botanic Gardens layout, containing more than 250 different roses. The nearby Herb Garden, constructed in 1986, has an extensive range of plants used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Be sure also to visit the Heather Garden, Rock Garden, Rhododendron Collection and the Cockayne Garden, which features New Zealand native plants.

Ancient totara in Peel Forest Park

There are various day walks available through the Peel Forest in South Canterbury. Take a walk through the Te Wanahu area to some of New Zealand's finest totara trees. One of them measures almost three metres across and is believed to be about 1,000 years old. A day trip to Little Mount Peel yields spectacular views across the Canterbury Plains to the coast.

Photo opportunities at Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Forest contains some of New Zealand's oldest exotic trees. Planting began in 1902. Native birds commonly found in the park include bellbirds, fantails, miromiro, riroriro, rifleman, tui, kereru and New Zealand falcon. There are many walking trails in the forest. Wear sturdy footwear if you plan to do the Chatterton River, Mount Isobel or Waterfall Tracks.

	MEMORY: Submitted by Robert Nash from Ireland " One of the most stunning, natural, clean and genuinely friendly places in the world "
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