Car Hire Canterbury - Mini guide to Canterbury
Incorporating New Zealand’s highest mountain and the South Island’s largest city, the diverse Canterbury region is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, boasting stunning natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreational activities and a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.
One of the most ‘English’ of New Zealand’s cities, Christchurch is the ideal base for exploring the province, and boasts several worthy attractions of its own, including its magnificent neo-Gothic church, interesting Arts Centre, and picturesque New Brighton and Sumner beach areas. Reminiscent of Oxford, the Avon river winds its way through the city and into the magnificent botanical gardens. Christchurch also has the best accommodation and restaurants in Canterbury, and its nightlife is vibrant, varied and exciting.
Nearby is the Banks Peninsula with its stunning coastal vistas, and curious must-see preserved French settlers town of Akaroa.
To the west are the towering peaks of the Southern Alps, with the majestic, snow-capped Mount Cook rising 3,754 meters into the sky. This is the area to enjoy many of Canterbury’s array of outdoor recreational activities, which include hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, snowboarding, camping, fishing, ballooning, hang-gliding, bungee-jumping, rafting, cycling, canoeing and swimming. In particular, hiking enthusiasts and mountain bikers can attempt parts or all of the challenging South Canterbury Heritage Trail, while campers and canoeists can indulge in the delights of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki.
One of the most rewarding routes which takes in the province is the spectacular Alpine Pacific Triangle, which incorporates three of Canterbury’s most popular tourist destinations, the Hanmer Springs alpine thermal village, Waipara Valley wine-growing region and Kaikoura, famous for its whale-watching opportunities.
Those seeking more isolated and untouched areas can travel the magnificent Inland Scenic Route 72 westward through superb scenic countryside to Arthur’s Pass, from which it is possible to cross the Southern Alps and continue to the Tasman Sea and the South Island’s remote west coast. Another stunningly diverse scenic route is that running along the rugged coastline between Christchurch and Otago.
Christchurch International Airport serves international flights, mainly from Australia. Shuttle services into the city are both frequent and reliable. Buses run regularly to Picton where ferries cross the Cook strait to Wellington.
