Wellington - Mt Cook - Queenstown

Day 3: Christchurch to Mt Cook Village

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Christchurch - Ashburton 1.25 hrs  89/56 Ashburton - Timaru 1 hr  77/48 Timaru - Lake Tekapo 1.25 hrs  105/66 Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook Village 1.25 hrs  104/65   Totals for Day 4.75 hrs  375/234

Christchurch - Ashburton - Timaru - Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook Village

The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city and adjacent Hagley Park, historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy for visitors to get around. Visit heritage sites, museums and art galleries, and enjoy the highly developed restaurant scene.

The route to Christchurch is about as straight and flat as roads get in New Zealand. On a clear day, the Southern Alps provide outstanding scenery. The town of Rakaia sits on the southern side of the Rakaia River, and it’s ‘the salmon capital of New Zealand’. The Rakaia bridge spans 1.8 kilometres of one of the world's best examples of a 'braided' river system.

Ashburton, which sits between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, is a large town that serves the local rural community. It has about six museums and some excellent craft galleries. Trout fishing is the local obsession, and the skifields of Mt Hutt are an easy drive away.

Scenic Highlights

Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Founded more than 140 years ago, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens has many special areas to explore.

Mount Somers Conservation Area
What's an old volcano doing at the edge of the Southern Alps? Around Mount Somers, the usual greywacke rock is upstaged by lava formations.

Cathedral Square
From the charming historic trams to the tall spire of Christ Church, Cathedral Square is a picturesque place to organise your day.

Canterbury Plains
Like a patchwork quilt made with every shade of green, the Canterbury Plains lie serenely between the mountains and the sea.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Bird Watching (3), Climbing (2), Gardens (8), Weddings (13)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Bird Watching (1), Gardens (4)

Christchurch - Ashburton - Timaru - Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook Village

Ashburton is a large town that serves the local rural community. It sits between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, so fly fishing is the local obsession. Ashburton also has about six museums and some excellent craft galleries. The skifields of Mt Hutt are an easy drive from here.

Your trip south is straight and flat. It’s worth taking the loop road to Geraldine to visit the gourmet cheese factory and vintage car museum. Rafting in the Rangitata Gorge is another possibility. Just before Timaru you’ll drive into Temuka, a town that produces high quality pottery – look for the factory shop if you’d like a useful souvenir.

Timaru is a small but beautifully formed city. The historic walk will introduce you to many of the heritage buildings. Enjoy the boutique brewery, botanic gardens and the park at Caroline Bay, which has an aviary and a maze. Timaru also has the third largest public art gallery in the South Island and an excellent museum – the Richard Pearse (kiwi pioneer aviator) exhibit is particularly good.

Scenic Highlights

Mount Somers Conservation Area
What's an old volcano doing at the edge of the Southern Alps? Around Mount Somers, the usual greywacke rock is upstaged by lava formations.

Canterbury Plains
Like a patchwork quilt made with every shade of green, the Canterbury Plains lie serenely between the mountains and the sea.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Heritage Attractions (6), Off Road Driving Adventure (6), Wineries (7)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Off Road Driving Adventure (4), Wineries (3)

Christchurch - Ashburton - Timaru - Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook Village

Timaru is a small but beautifully formed city. The historic walk will introduce you to many heritage buildings. Enjoy the boutique brewery, botanic gardens and the park at Caroline Bay. Timaru also has the third largest public art gallery in the South Island and an excellent museum.

Your journey west will take you to Pleasant Point, a town known for its custard squares (custard sandwiched between layers of iced pastry) and its interesting railway museum. There are historic sights to see in the town of Fairlie before you ascend to the region known as the Mackenzie Country, named after the legendary Scottish sheep rustler who once roamed the area.

The settlement of Lake Tekapo is at the southern end of the lake. The exquisite opaque turquoise colour of the lake is caused by fine rock particles held in suspension. Fishing, kayaking, bike riding, horse trekking and skiing are some of the things you can do. The Church of the Good Shepherd and the sheepdog statue are great photo opportunities.

Scenic Highlights

Lake Tekapo
Walk the lake shore or climb Mount John to appreciate the lonely high country beauty of the Mackenzie Basin.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Farms (10), Heritage Attractions (6), Off Road Driving Adventure (6), Scenic Flights (5), Skiing (7), Walking/Trekking (17)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Farms (2), Off Road Driving Adventure (4), Scenic Flights (1), Skiing (2), Walking/Trekking (16)

Christchurch - Ashburton - Timaru - Lake Tekapo - Mt Cook Village

The settlement of Lake Tekapo is at the southern end of the lake. The opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. Fishing, kayaking, bike riding, horse trekking and skiing are some of the things you can do. The Church of the Good Shepherd and the sheepdog statue are great photo opportunities.

The road to Mt Cook takes you through high country tussock to beautiful Lake Pukaki. You’ll hug the edge of the lake for most of the way up the Tasman Valley to Mount Cook Village.

The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park includes the highest peak in Australasia (Mt Cook - 3755m). The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics. Heli skiing, heli hiking and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing memories. A variety of walking trails begin in or near Mount Cook Village – most take only a couple of hours. In the bar of the local hotel, huge windows provide a perfect view of Mt Cook.

Scenic Highlights

Lake Tekapo
Walk the lake shore or climb Mount John to appreciate the lonely high country beauty of the Mackenzie Basin.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak, is the centre of attention in this spectacular alpine park.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Boat Cruises (4), Climbing (2), Fishing – Fresh Water (10)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Boat Cruises (1), Fishing – Fresh Water (2)