Are you looking for things to do in Christchurch and Canterbury? We can help.

Christchurch Earthquake Update

You will find no shortage of things to do in Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region.

This beautiful part of New Zealand is bordered in the west by the

Southern Alps and in the east by the Pacific Ocean. It is New Zealand's largest region, with a huge range of outdoor activities to tempt you.

Christchurch, New Zealand's oldest city, is a centre of art, culture and beautiful gardens, and is affectionately known as the "Garden City".

The regional landscape is dominated by New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook, and the Southern Alps, a range larger even than the European alps. These majestic mountains are your constant companion as you travel down the South Island.

Huge sperm whales cruise the Kaikoura coast, around 2 hours north of Christchurch. Dolphins play in nearby Akaroa harbour, and at Arthur's pass, the gregarious alpine parrot, the Kea, entertains tourists. But a word of warning. The Kea has a liking for rubber and plastic and many a visitor has been left embarassed trying to explain damage to their rental car to the hire company.

Christchurch, is the South Island's largest city, with a population of more than 350,000 people, and amazingly, over 700 parks. It's also home to two significant annual flower festivals, held in February and March.

Click on the following link to view a huge range of Christchurch accommodation options.

If your time in Christchurch city is limited, one of the best ways to see what Christchurch has to offer is by taking the Christchurch Big Five Attractions Tour. This seven hour adventure takes you to the International Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve (where you will see the Kiwi), a ride through central Christchurch on its historic tram, a cable car ride on the Christchurch gondola (for some spectacular views of the region), and finally, a two hour harbour cruise.

One of my favourite things to do in Christchurch is the ride on the historic tram which takes you on a peaceful, meandering ride through central Christchurch. You can even have an evening meal on the tram, a wonderful relaxing way to see the inner city. Click on the following link to learn more about the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant Dinner Tour.

The Alpine Triangle touring route is a scenic highway that connects the lovely alpine thermal village of Hanmer Springs (famous for its large complex of heated pools and water theme park), the Waipara Valley wine region and the rugged coastal Kaikoura area.

Maori first arrived in the region about a thousand years ago. Originally occupied by Ngati Mamoe and Waitaha iwi (tribes), Ngai Tahu from the North Island eventually took over as the dominant South Island tribe. Maori rock art sites throughout southern Canterbury provide a key to early Maori history.

Otautahi (the area where Christchurch sits) was a low swampy region that attracted Maori because of its good supply of a variety of foods such as eel, whitebait, fish, pigeon and swamp hen.

Kaiapoi, just north of Christchurch, was one of the largest Maori settlements, and was a major trading centre for West Coast pounamu (greenstone / jade).

European sealers and whalers were early visitors to the region, and the first group of European settlers arrived in Lyttelton harbour in 1850. Christchurch became a 'city by royal charter' in 1856.

To learn about Maori heritage, why not take in a Maori cultural show.

Between mountains and sea, Canterbury offers diverse wildlife and nature attractions.

Kaikoura - in spectacular coastal alpine scenery between Christchurch and Picton - translates as 'a place to eat crayfish'. This little town with abundant seafood and marine life offers many eco-tourism activities such as whale watching tours , where visitors can see different species - including huge sperm whale - at different times of the year. Dusky and rare Hector's dolphins, and fur seals are common, along with many sea birds and other marine life.

Around 2 hours drive from Christchurch is Akaroa, a lovely seaside village on Banks Peninsula. Akaroa has lots of cafes and restaurants, and is a good place to spend a day or so. Perhaps its most famous residents are its Hector's dolphins and other marine life that includes seabirds, seals, and white-flippered blue penguins.

If you want to get up close with the dolphins you can even swim with them.

Akaroa also has a good variety of accommodation.

Arthur's Pass national park - the main alpine crossing between the east and west coasts - has impressive alpine scenery, unique native flora and fauna. The network of mountain tracks take walkers to native alpine plants and wildlife, including the cheeky kea - the world's only alpine parrot.

Of all the things to do in Christchurch, the amazing TranzAlpine train journey which travels between Christchurch, on the east coast, and Greymouth, on the west coast, has to be at the top of your list. It has been described as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over deep gorges, raging rivers, and into the Southern Alps on this amazing journey.

We have an option available that combines the best of the Tranzalpine train journey with a guided tour through the stunning Arthur's Pass National Park. Check it out here:

Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook , in the Mackenzie Country, are the subject of a ground-breaking application to UNESCO for World Heritage status as a 'Starlight Reserve'. This area attracts 'astro tourists' drawn to one of few places on earth where it's still possible to view a starlit night sky devoid of light pollution.

Canterbury's vast plains, alpine and coastal landscape, and favourable atmospheric conditions make it one of New Zealand's finest hot air ballooning locations.

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park is a world-renowned climbing and hiking destination. Glaciers cover 40 percent of the park and there are 23 peaks over 3,000m, including towering Aoraki Mt Cook. Mount Cook village, at the bottom of the mountain, is a base for climbers and hikers.

This spectacular location has to be on your "to do" list in New Zealand. The scenery will take your breath away, and Mt Cook village is a great base from which to see the region. Things to do include a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, 3D cinema and planetarium, a glacial lake trip, or a 4WD adventure. There are also numerous walks in the area.

One word of advice. Don't forget your camera and a large capacity memory card!

Hanmer Springs, to the north of Christchurch, has adventure and relaxation. Adventure activities include mountain biking and hiking trails, trout and salmon fishing, jet boating, bungy jumping and quad biking. At famed Hanmer Springs thermal pools and spa , visitors can relax in thermal sulphur and hot rock pools.

The region's founders set the scene 150 years ago for today's thriving art and culture scene when they planned a central cultural precinct providing for education, art, science, government, religion, history and recreation - all within an area of less than one square kilometre.

Canterbury museum, at the head of the cultural precinct, holds almost two million items of regional, national and international significance. The collection covers everything from Canterbury's first people - Moa hunter Maori - to European settlers' cultural and economic development, family and local history.

The Arts Centre, located on the old University of Canterbury site, is seen as one of New Zealand's most significant historic and cultural attractions. The centre comes alive at weekends with an arts and craft market, live entertainment, and international food stalls. Home to more than 40 shops, art galleries, art house cinemas, bars and cafes, the centre is a wonderful place to visit.

Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, an impressive modern building in the cultural precinct, has art collections, educational facilities, and a sculpture garden. Nearby attractions include the Centre of Contemporary Art, Botanic Gardens and iconic Christchurch Cathedral - all easily accessed on foot or by tram.

If art and culture are high on your list, you will find lots of things to do in Christchurch.

Canterbury has 10 main ski fields for skiers and snowboarders, all within easy distance from Christchurch. At the foot of the Southern Alps, Mt Hutt (2086m) is the largest, most developed ski field in the region, and claims New Zealand's longest ski season.

Porters ski field, close to Christchurch, is a family friendly mountain with runs suitable for everyone from beginners to extreme skiers and snowboard riders. Skiing is one of the most popular winter things to do in Christchurch.

* Christchurch is known as "the garden city", and amazingly, is home to 740 parks. These cover an area of around 3,000 hectares.

* The region contains the longest bridge in the Southern Hemisphere, the Rakaia bridge (1.8km long).

* Aoraki Mt Cook (3,754m) is New Zealand's highest mountain.

* The word Aoraki means "cloud piercer".

* Canterbury is New Zealand's largest region and covers around 42,000 square kilometres.

You will never be short of things to do in Christchurch.

Click here for a full range of things to do in Christchurch.