Christchurch & Canterbury
Region Overview and Activities
 
Akaroa, Ashburton, Christchurch, Darfield, Fairlie, Geraldine, Governors Bay, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura,
Kaikoura Coast, Lake Coleridge, Lake Tekapo, Lyttelton, Methven, Mount Somers, Omarama and Pleasant Point.

Canterbury

(Incorporating Kaikoura, Maruia Springs, Arthurs Pass, Lake Pukaki, Waimate)

Significant natural features include: the Kaikoura Ranges, the two major passes to the West Coast being the Lewis Pass with the Maruia and Hanmer thermal springs, and Arthurs Pass with its spectacular alpine scenery.

The Canterbury Plains with its braided rivers sourced high in the mountains of the alpine divide, and the Banks Peninsula with its two flooded volcanic craters.  The tussock country which surrounds Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki with its nearby dominating peak of Mount Cook.

Forest, Maritime and National Parks

Hanmer Forest Park, contains and old exotic forest with a wide variety of species as well as significant tracts of natives. This provides a recreational resource for the thermal resort town of Hanmer Springs which is a popular escape destination from Christchurch. The well developed pools area provides relaxation and family activities.

Lake Sumner Forest Park

Access is by foot only and is popular with trampers. It contains an old gold miners route over the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Lake Sumner provides fishing opportunities. On the northern boundary to the park is Maruia Springs Thermal Resort which comprises accommodation, pool and restaurant  facilities,  but no town or village. The resort and restaurant carry a Japanese Theme.

Craigieburn Forest Park.

Located near Arthurs Pass, plantations here are used for research into mountain land management. There are picnic areas and ski fields as well as hiking and tramping opportunities.

Arthurs Pass National Park.

The park covers 98,000 ha, on both sides of the main divide and comprised predominantly beech forest and alpine peaks with rise up above the bush line.

Deep gorges with rushing rivers and spectacular falls showcase the power of nature. The Department of Conservation Visitor Centre has comprehensive information and interpretational displays on both the flora, fauna and geology of the area, as well as an insight into its history.

The village has eateries, petrol and public conveniences.

The Tranzalpine Train calls at the railway station twice a day on its return journey between Christchurch and Greymouth.

Watch for the Kea, New Zealand's alpine parrot, attracted to the village by the promise of 'high octane' food scraps, which visitors are discouraged from making available as its prevents the birds from occupying themselves by foraging in the bush for its proper diet, leaving the birds with time to get get up to all manner of mischief and destructive behaviour. Birds which get out of control have to be relocated by the Department of Conservation away from populated areas.

Mount Cook National Park

Over one third of the park is made up of permanent snow and glacier ice.

Dominating the scenery is the majestic peak if Mount Cook (Aoraki- the cloud piercer) at 3764m. Mount Cook village provides visitor facilities and has a small airport. Scenic flights around Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier are available some involving glacier landings. Access to the village is from Highway 8, 11 km north of Twizel and is 55km from that turnoff. The road follows the shore of Lake Pukaki most of the way the lake being fed from the glacial melt.

General

The plains and high country of Canterbury have been a mainstay of the sheep farming industry from its inception. This is still the case and whilst the land supports huge numbers of animals you would be forgiven for wondering "where are they all' but the vastness of the landscape soon dilutes their visual impact. The lowlands and river plains support more diverse agriculture and the plains area around Christchurch viewed from the air is a many coloured quilt of grazing and horticulture. North Canterbury, in particular the Waipara region is becoming an established and recognised wine growing district.
Visit the Wine Region Map and click on the Waipara Region for a list of wineries to visit.
Not restricted to this area though with wineries can be found around Kaikoura and Banks Peninsula. Christchurch is the commercial centre of Canterbury with the greater city area housing about 350,000. The city celebrated its 150th anniversary in December 2000, being 150 years since the arrival of the 'first four ships' of colonial settlers at Lyttelton Harbour, just over the Port Hills.

In that time it has grown from a few small shacks to what is now colloquially known as the 'Garden City', not only for its public parks and gardens but also for the large number of private gardening enthusiasts. Museums, galleries, bars and cafes, the Tram, Arts Centre (in the old university buildings), Hagley Park, the botanical gardens, and the Avon River all provide venues for recreation social, sporting and cultural activities. The Canterbury region has several ski fields Mt Hutt, near Methven and Porter Heights on the way to Arthurs Pass, being commercial fields plus many club operated fields which are open to the public.

Banks Peninsula has two harbour areas both formed by the eruption of separate volcanoes. One forming the Lyttelton Harbour basin and the other Akaroa, once the crater rims were breached by seawater. Lyttelton has a commercial shipping port for South Island sea freight and is visited over the summer months my many international cruise liners. The town is an eclectic mix of historic and modern buildings, on the slopes of the harbourside hills.

Akaroa is a peaceful village with a picturesque harbour catering mainly to small fishing and pleasure boats. The street names reflect the origins of the village as a French settlement. Both harbors have scenic and wildlife cruises.

Kaikoura is the home of whale watching amongst other activities such as swimming with dolphins and seals. This seaside town has its origins as a whaling station, a far cry from today's activities. These gentle giants come here to feed the rich waters which plunge to great depths not far from shore. You can imagine that the sea floor is almost a continuation of the soaring slopes of the Kaikoura Ranges. Made up of two chains of mountains, the Seaward and Inland Kaikouras are snow capped in winter and offer a spectacular backdrop when viewed from offshore on the various boat trips.

The rivers of the region offer recreational activities in the form of fishing, rafting and jet boating. The mouths of the Canterbury and South Canterbury rivers are popular for their seasonal salmon runs. Ashburton is well located for this.   Timaru is a port town situated on Caroline Bay, which has a lovely beach with good facilities. Temuka is known for its pottery which produces tableware used for both domestic and commercial use.

The hydro lakes of South Canterbury, Lakes Benmore and Aviemore attract boaties in the summer for camping and water skiing.

South Canterbury has some attractive small villages such as Staveley which is an ideal base for exploring the popular Mount Somers area including the Lost World of Erewhon and walks on the Mount Somers Walkway.  Waimate (which has a fine selection of historic buildings) and Geraldine which is close to Peel Forest, and  Fairlie, close to Mt Dobson and Fox Peak ski fields.

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Revised: December 28, 2009