​​Canterbury - surrounded by the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean - is New Zealand’s largest region with a vast landscape of outdoor nature and adventure opportunities.

 

The south island's Canterbury offers an adventure and nature haven for the visiting tourist - in the air, on the water or in the mountains, here you'll enjoy unique outdoor experiences - Visiting the sperm whales on the Kaikoura coast, sighting the playful actions of the dolphins in Akaroa harbour, or bearing witness to the cheeky antics of the alpine parrots at Arthur’s Pass.

 

Māori tribes "Ngāti Māmoe" and "Waitaha iwi" first arrived in the Canterbury region about a thousand years ago, with Ngai Tahu (a North Island Tribe) eventually taking over as the dominant tribe. There are a variety of Māori rock art sites throughout southern Canterbury which provide a key to early Māori history.

 

The vast plains of Canterbury’s alpine and coastal landscape offer favourable conditions for ballooning making it one of New Zealand’s finest locations to get up high and view the local scenery.  

For the avid hiker and climber, Aoraki Mt Cook national park delivers a world-renowned climbing and hiking destination. The park is covered with Glaciers and offers 23 mountain peaks over 3,000m, of which includes Aoraki Mt Cook.

For the adventurist, Hanmer Springs, in Upper Canterbury, offers adventure and relaxation. From mountain biking and hiking trails to trout and salmon fishing, jet boating, bungy jumping and quad biking.  Afterwards there are the famed Hanmer Springs thermal pools and spa, where you can rest those aching muscles and relax and enjoy the thermal sulphur and hot rock pools on offer.

 

With the region boasting 10 main ski areas for skiers and snowboarders, all within easy distance from Christchurch, as well as wide open plains, abundant sea life and wildlife adventure trails, theres something for everyone in Canterbury.

 

 

Canterbury consists of 21 main townships, all within three sub-regions.

 

 

Please click on the region below to go to the area applicable, within the box you'll find the towns relative to the region in question. Travel distances to sights within each region average between 30mins to 1hr.