PRINT MODULESection One Christchurch - Canterbury
SECTION ONE: PAGE FOUR
Exploring from Christchurch
From Christchurch the following destinations are within easy reach. Suggest a day trip or overnight stay. All are destinations within their own right with plenty of activities and quality accommodation. Self-drive or tour options are possible.
Akaroa
Akaroa is Canterbury's oldest village and was originally settled by the French. Remnants of Akaroa’s French history are still visible in French street signs, early architecture and the French cemetery. It is also steeped in Maori, whaling and British history.
1 hour, 30 mins drive from Christchurch.
- Akaroa Harbour cruises: a boat cruise to view the volcanic cliffs and sea caves and get up close to the bird and marine life, including the rare Hector's dolphin.
- Akaroa Cooking School: made it into the Lonely Planet's 2011 top 10 places to learn to cook around the world. www.akaroacooking.co.nz
- Barry's Bay Cheese Factory: visitors can watch cheese being made through the gallery window during making / milking season. www.barrysbaycheese.co.nz
- The Banks Peninsula Track: a two day or four day walk through 35 km of spectacular volcanic coastline, native bush, waterfalls and sandy beaches. www.bankstrack.co.nz
The Waipara Valley and Hanmer Springs
www.alpinepacifictourism.co.nz
Waipara Valley and Hanmer Springs are located on the the Alpine Pacific Triangle Touring Route. Visitors will find delicious food and wine, hot pools and all kinds of outdoor activities.
Waipara Valley
The Waipara Valley ia a 50 minute drive north of Christchurch. Ithas developed a reputation for cool-climate wines. Wine trails make it easy for visitors to learn about and taste a wide variety of wine and to dine at one of many vineyard cafes or restaurants.
Hanmer Springs
A year round destination, Hanmer Springs is well known for its Thermal Reserve, one of the most popular thermal spa resorts in New Zealand. The Thermal Reserve has been used for generations, being one of the resting areas for Maori on their journeys to the West Coast for pounamu (greenstone or New Zealand Jade). Located one hour 30 mins drive from Christchurch.
Kaikoura
Also part of the Alpine Pacific Triangle, Kaikoura is located 2.5 hours drive north of Christchurch or can be accessed en route from the Marlborough region. Kaikoura provides a great opportunity for a day trip or an overnight stay. It offers visitors a rare opportunity to see a range of marine mammals in one area - sperm whales, New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, penguins, albatross and Hutton's Shearwaters seabird.
Suggested activities in the area:
Whale watching: boat trips depart daily all year round to view these magnificent creatures.
- Dolphin encounters: swimming with and observing dolphins www.dolphin.co.nz
- Swimming with seals: land - or boat -based guided snorkeling tours.
- Bird watching: tours to view seabirds, albatrosses, mollymawks, petrels and more.
- Scenic flights: viewing of whales from the air with spectacular mountain and coastal
Methven
A year round destination located 1 hour, 30 minutes from Christchurch. Activities include:
Mt Hutt ski area and Methven village: Views from Mt Hutt are breathtaking. On a clear day you can see all the way across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean. In the other direction, visitors can see all the way to the Southern Alps too. At 2086 m Mt Hutt has one of the largest vertical drops in the South Island and offers a broad variety of terrain. Methven village, the base for skiing in the area, has a full range of accommodation available for visitors. www.nzski.com/mthutt/
Aoraki Balloon Safaris: Balloon flights over the Canterbury Plains with a full 300 kilometre/ 186 mile panoramic view from the mountains to the sea. On a fine, clear day visitors can see Mt Cook.
www.nzballooning.co.nz
To reach Dunedin self-drive travellers follow State Highway One from Christchurch to Timaru through the Canterbury districts of Ashburton and Central South Island.
Places of interest enroute:
Rakaia: creates an immediate imprint on its visitors with its landmark 1.8 km / 1.1 mile bridge spanning a salmon-fishing river.
- Salmon fishing: experienced guides are available for a fishing excursion on the Rakaia River
- Jet boating: on the Rakaia River.
Peel Forest: Rafting and kayaking are particulary well known in the Central South Island. Rangitata Rafts offers Grade 5 rafting on the Rangitata River.
Ashburton: a large town that serves the surrounding farming district. It sits between two major rivers, so fly fishing is the main attraction in the area.
Timaru: second largest centre in Canterbury and is situated halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin.
Timaru is the starting point for three Heritage Trails which allow visitors to explore the region at their own pace and take in the many historical attractions throughout the area.
- The Pioneer Trail
- The Bullock Wagon Trail
- The Strawberry Trail
For more information visit www.southisland.org.nz
Mt Cook/Mackenzie Country
Mt Cook village is a five-hour drive from Christchurch through the Mackenzie Country, a high inland basin beneath the Southern Alps and Mt Cook. This diverse and magical landscape provided many scenic backdrops for the filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Getting there
Visitors can take the Inland Scenic Route 72 from Christchurch to Fairlie, gateway to the Mackenzie Country or alternatively travel via Timaru and Waimate via Omarama and (SH82).
Iconic attractions
- Lake Tekapo is a photographer’s dream come true. The snow-topped mountains, turquoise blue lake and tussock-covered hills have visitors enthralled.
- The Church of the Good Shepherd: Set on the edge of Lake Tekapo with views of the mountains.
- The sheepdog tribute: Lake Tekapo: next to the Church of the Good Shepherd, a statue that is a tribute to high country farmers' best friend, the working sheepdog.
Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park
At 3754 metres/ 12316 feet, Mt Aoraki (Cook) is New Zealand's highest mountain. On one side of Mt Aoraki is the Tasman Glacier, a 30 km/ 19 miles giant and one of the longest glaciers outside of the Himalayas.
There are 19 peaks over 3000 metres/ 9800 feet including Mt Aoraki, or Cook. The Park is also part of World Heritage Area in recognition of its outstanding natural values.
Iconic activities
Scenic flights and glacier landings: Fixed wing aeroplane or helicopter flights: regular scenic flights leave from Mt Aoraki (Mt Cook), and Lake Tekapo airports.
- Mountaineering, hiking, and ski touring in Mt Cook National Park: choose guided or self-guided options. Guided ski trips, suitable for intermediate skiers, can be taken down the Tasman Glacier. Helicopters can take experienced skiers to a number of locations in the Park for extreme experiences. Ski touring is possible around the Tasman and Kelman huts. Alpine experience is required.
- Glacier Explorer boat trip: A unique experience - boat tour explores the melting ice face of Tasman Glacier and icebergs carved off into the lake www.glacierexplorers.com
- Heli mountain biking: Helicopter up - mountain bike down!
- Skiing Round Hill, Mt Dobson and Ohau: Offers un-crowded skiing and boarding on some of the remotest commercial slopes in New Zealand. www.mackenziewinter.co.nz
- Walking: There are short or day walks around Mt Cook village and into the main valleys. The most popular walks are to Kea Point and the Hooker Valley.
Evening activities
Star gazing: the area's clear night skies are renowned for star-gazing. Enjoy a stargazing and astronomy experience at the Mt John Observatory with Earth and Sky Tours www.earthandsky.co.nz
Recommended bases for visiting Mt Cook and the MacKenzie Country: Lake Tekapo village, Mt Cook village or Twizel.
