Christchurch & Canterbury

Christchurch is known as the gateway to the South Island as it houses the largest International and Domestic Airport for the South Island and boasts the largest and most diverse of regions for Tourism.

The province, state or region is known as Canterbury and stretches almost as far as Kaikoura home of the Whale Watching and Swimming with the Dolphins down to Timaru and across to Omarama housing some of the most fertile land and spectacular scenery.

Everything is within 1 – 2 hours drive from the city.  The French settlement of Akaroa is an excellent day trip or overnight stay located one hour away or Hamner Springs a thermal resort is again one hour away and the great thing is you have to pass the wineries of Waipara on the way!!!!

Known to be the most English City outside England, Christchurch has plenty of willows and oaks that frame and preserve the many Gothic Style buildings.  From the Cathedral in the heart of the city you can meander down Worcester street taking in the restaurant strip to one side, Christchurch Art Gallery on another or the Art Centre and Museum.  Once finished with the Museum you can rest after a good days sight seeing in the beautiful botantic gardens of Hagley Park or take a punt down the River Avon.

There are many diverse activities to cover in this region whether it be Whale Watching, Gondoling, Traming, Tramping, Educating yourself on Antartica at the International Antartic Centre to just enjoying the vast expanse of scenery within the region.

We recommend two days here if you are traveling down to Queenstown.