Top 10 Things to do in Canterbury Region, South Island

January 6, 2022 Viva Honore

Christchurch, the Garden City, and the Canterbury region are the perfect destination for daredevils. From northern Kaikoura to Waimate in the south, Canterbury is an adventure sports paradise. Hangliding, helibiking, bungee jumping, snowboarding, jetboating, rafting and skydiving get the adrenaline going. Golfing, flightseeing, swimming with dolphins and soaking in thermal pools are more laid-back temptations. Christchurch, a city of parks and gardens, is the country’s third largest urban area.
Restaurants in Canterbury Region

1. Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

40 Fyffe Quay West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand +64 3-319 5641 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/eacea5aaee1c4ece9b2b91c3df282d15.aspx
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,143 reviews

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.

Reviewed By GreeceHelena - Whanganui, New Zealand

I set out this morning to walk the loop, Kaikoura to the Peninsula Walkway. Quite a steep climb up to the Point Kean Lookout, then the track levels off as you continue along the cliff tops with panoramic views of ocean, rocky coastline and twisted limestone. What I didn't see were seals and not a great deal of sea birds. Thankfully, yesterday I watched masses of seals and their pups playing at Ohau Point. I carried on past Whalers Bay to South Bay, returning via Tom's Track... a most enjoyable 13km walk.

2. Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Rolleston Ave, Christchurch New Zealand +64 3-941 7590 [email protected] http://ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-gardens
Excellent
70%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,689 reviews

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

At the heart of Christchurch's reputation as the Garden City, the Gardens are a place of ever-changing beauty. Showcasing flora and fauna of New Zealand and other parts of the world, the Gardens feature one of the finest collections of exotic and local plants in New Zealand. With more than 1.1 Million visitors each year the Botanic Gardens are one of the Christchurch's most popular and well-loved attractions.

Reviewed By Addie1960 - Maroochydore, Australia

I hopped off the city tram across from the gardens, the flowering trees and blossoms were in full bloom, very beautiful and peaceful plenty of seats and green grass to sit and relax, and the waterways were great Very well taken care of, pet friendly park

3. Canterbury Museum

11 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch 8013 New Zealand +64 3-366 5000 [email protected] http://www.canterburymuseum.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,769 reviews

Canterbury Museum

Free entry (donations appreciated) where you can experience New Zealand's rich cultural and natural history. See rare Maori artefacts and more than 1,000 paua shells adorning the walls of the famous Paua Shell House. Walk down the Christchurch Street and be transported back in time with the sights and sounds of the city's pioneering days. Discover one of the world's most significant collections from the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and discovery. Regular temporary exhibitions.

Reviewed By pancj2018 - Lima, Peru

This is a terrific local/regional museum. It has one of the best Maori exhibits in all of New Zealand, which in itself is enough to justify a visit. They have an excellent discussion of jade/nephrite, which can be very helpful for future shopping, as well as wonderful presentations of Maori art and material culture. They also have traditional natural history exhibitions of NZ birds and wildlife which we found highly informative. I spent my career working in a natural history museum and found the Canterbury Museum a good representative of the type. Admission is free!

4. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

60 Hussey Road, Christchurch 8051 New Zealand +64 3-359 6226 [email protected] http://www.willowbank.co.nz/
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,043 reviews

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

See Kiwi in a natural environment - there is no glass! Get close to Kea, Tuatara and other native icons. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also home to introduced and exotic breeds. Make your own way around the park and animals will eat right out of your hand. Willowbank is open from 9.30Am daily - kiwis are able to be viewed from 10.30am until close.

Reviewed By 757denised - Parks, United States

Wonderfull done with lots of beautiful birds and original farm animals for this area and a great Kiwi habitat were you can see the birds up and personal. went to several other but this was by far the best.

5. TranzAlpine Train

Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,436 reviews

TranzAlpine Train

The TranzAlpine is a long-distance train between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. Unlike normal passenger trains, the TranzAlpine is designed to provide a window to New Zealand's best scenery, with large reclined seating and huge panoramic windows. The spectacular TranzAlpine journey begins by roaming through the vast farmsteads of the Canterbury Plains to the spectacular gorges and valleys of the Waimakariri River. The TranzAlpine then ascends into the majestic Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass National Park, before descending through lush beech forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth - a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always-popular glaciers. All services feature panoramic windows, reclined seating, GPS triggered at-seat commentary, a fully licensed cafe, toilets, and open air viewing decks. The TranzAlpine is operated by The Great Journeys of New Zealand, and runs daily throughout the year.

6. Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo 7945 New Zealand 080023538283 [email protected] http://www.laketekaponz.co.nz
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,629 reviews

Lake Tekapo

Reviewed By Travelove58

Lake Tekapo is very similar to the many other lakes we have seen in South Island- they are all amazingly beautiful, so tranquil & so stunning. The lakes here are usually a part of the just as awesome mountains. An added attraction here is an old antiquated nice church. The feeling is just great, strolling along the beach & admiring the awesome views in front. In the morning, the sun rising from the back of the mountains shines against towards the sea & creates a stunning blanket of white rays.

7. The Giants House

70 Rue Balguerie, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand +64 3-304 7501 [email protected] http://www.thegiantshouse.co.nz
Excellent
81%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,284 reviews

The Giants House

The Happiest Garden on Earth..! Garden of International Significance.. A Josie Martin creation.. Colourful, beautiful balance between garden and art. Don’t miss the fun DVD playing in the contemporary art gallery. Terraced gardens with sculptures and incredible mosaics. Very Unique. A creative feast and a wonderful experience. Only a few minutes walk from the centre of Akaroa.terraced gardens are full of surprises -expect the unexpected at The Giant's House!

Reviewed By FranG1 - Auckland, New Zealand

What an incredible spot every corner you turn just takes your breath away, how people can comment that the entrance fee is too pricey is beyond us, it’s just incredible and photos don’t do it justice.

8. Conical Hill

Hanmer Forest, Hanmer Springs New Zealand
Excellent
58%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 534 reviews

Conical Hill

Reviewed By JedAfterthought - Levin, New Zealand

This is a popular walk through pines and firs to a lookout with panoramic views to snow-capped mountains. Zig zag path makes the gradient manageable and you can return via a side track (Majuba) to the Forest Amble.

9. Ohau Point Seal Colony

State Highway 1, Ohau Point, Kaikoura New Zealand
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,217 reviews

Ohau Point Seal Colony

Reviewed By kiwigreenman

Fantastic view of literally hundreds of seals and pups playing in water pools, sunbathing on rocks so close to viewing area -great parking, all free.

10. Mount John University Observatory

422 Godley Peaks Road, Lake Tekapo 7999 New Zealand +64 3-680 6000 http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/mt_john/
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 713 reviews

Mount John University Observatory

Reviewed By P2112WFkevinh - Auckland, New Zealand

We had another lovely sunny day so took on the walk up to Mt John and then the loop around the lake side. It was a superb walk and nowhere near the 3 hours as advertised. We are in our early fifties and it took us 2.5 hours, including a decent break at the top. Recommended.

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