Canterbury
contains many other beautiful towns around Christchurch
Akaroa
A charming town with a French
flavour, renowned for it’s arts and crafts. Dine overlooking the harbour watching the sailing boats, then take a cruise out of
the harbour to see the seals and penguins, and to swim with the dolphins. Explore
the bays, each with it’s unique character. Le Bons is a picturesque sandy
cove, surrounded by hills. It has a river running into one end of it, and a
gently shelving beach making it safer for swimming. Okains bay has a Maori and
early settlers museum that is well worth a visit.
Hanmer
Springs
One hour and a half from Christchurch, Hanmer is famous
for it thermal pools. It also has a good skiing in the winter, walking
and mountain biking all year round. For the more adventurous there is
bungy jumping, white water rafting, and jet boating.
Kaikoura
The dramatic rocky coastline is home to seal colonies that lie basking in the
sun, totally oblivious to humans so near them. Take a trip out to watch the
whales and dolphins that swim close to the shore.
Lyttelton
Lyttelton was the original settlement area,
and is now the South Island's busiest port. It has quaint cottages and
the imposing Timeball Station. There is a museum worth visiting or take
a trip over to Quail Island which was leaper colony and Ripapa Island.
Drive through Lyttelton on the way to Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula.
There
is something different to see and do within one or two hours’ drive of
Christchurch, in any direction. To the east lie the open ocean and Banks
Peninsula, featuring sheltered bays, sandy beaches, bush clad valleys,
rocky coastline and high, wild places.Boating, tramping, a visit to the
wineries and the French settlers’ harbourside village of Akaroa are key
peninsula attractions.
To the west, past fertile plains and braided rivers, are forested
foothills and lakes. Beyond them lie the tallest mountains in Australasia,
the Southern Alps, strung out parallel to the coastline. Mountain passes
with delightful alpine villages break the almost impenetrable divide and
deliver the traveller to the west coast. There is a choice of western
routes and plenty of ski areas on the way.
A journey north reveals green rolling hills, forests and long, empty
beaches, with the whale-watching centre of Kaikoura about 2 hours’ drive
away, whilst an excursion to the south passes through farmland and crosses
two more of Canterbury’s pristine rivers, ideal for fishing in,
whitewater rafting or kayaking down. Mt Hutt, the premier commercial ski
area close to the city, lies to the south west. A day off-piste here gives
opportunity for jet boating, fishing, horse riding or a round of golf.
Clearly visitors are spoilt for choice and residents have a superb outdoor
lifestyle at their doorsteps.
