Christchurch is bordered by hills and the Pacific Ocean, and is situated on the edge of the Canterbury plains stretching to the Southern Alps. It is centred in an area of great geographical contrast.  Much of the city has been set aside for parks, natural reserves and recreation grounds. The city centre is compact with the central feature being the Avon River. It is an elegant world often described as being where Oxbridge meets the South Seas (you can even go punting on the river Avon!), with well established parks, stunning gardens, lively seaside resort suburbs and stylish Victorian neo-Gothic architecture.

If you have the time we recommend heading out to Akaroa, a charming old French whaling depot and home to spectacular bays and inlets. On a day tour you’ll explore the peninsula including a two hour cruise of Akaroa Harbour with dolphin, penguin and seal sightings. 

North of Christchurch and accessible on a day tour, or for an overnight stay if driving to or from Marlborough, is the settlement of Kaikoura. The township is located on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath the mountains.  There is plenty to fill a couple of days in Kaikoura, with whale watching being the most popular either by boat cruise or by helicopter. You can also swim with the dolphins or go quad biking on a farm – as much a scenic tour as a thrill ride with spectacular views of the mountains and stunning coastal scenery. Kaikoura is home to the largest tribe of Maori in the South Island and you can join a personalised small group tour where you’ll learn their history, visit ancient sites of pre-European days, hear how they were once settled by our ancestors and learn some of the traditional indigenous uses of the trees and plants as food and medicine. 

If driving to or from Wanaka or Queenstown you’ll no doubt stop off in Tekapo or Mount Cook.  Tekapo is a small town located on the banks of the stunning turquoise-blue waters of Lake Tekapo with views of the peaks of the Southern Alps and Mount Cook. It's also home to an observatory which is well worth a visit.

Mount Cook, at 3764 metres, is New Zealand’s highest peak. One of the most impressive features of the region is the Tasman Glacier which is 30kms long and more than 3 kilometres across at its widest point. You can enjoy the many activities, such as a glacier hike, a glacier boat trip or a scenic flight by ski-plane, including a snow landing, both of which we can book for you, from the small remote Mount Cook Village which is around 40 minutes from Tekapo.  You can also choose to stay in one of the hotels within the village. If you prefer not to drive into the park you can also enjoy a scenic flight over Mount Cook and across to the West Coast Glaciers from Tekapo. 

For details of accommodation in this region or for tour suggestions click on the links on the right. Our experienced consultants can easily build any of these experiences into a tailor-made New Zealand holiday quote for you.