Top Things to do in Canterbury Region
Top 10 Gardens in Canterbury Region, South Island
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 countrys third largest urban area.
Restaurants in Canterbury Region
1. Back Paddock Garden And Gifts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Pleasant Valley Daffodils
3. Ohinetahi Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By evman00 - Christchurch, New Zealand
We stopped in unexpectedly to this quiet garden not expecting much. This is a hidden gem for Canterbury. We meet the Gardener who was a wonderfully friendly person. The view out to the bay from the car park was amazing, seeing the flat Governors Bay sea, and the suns rays on the water. The range of sculptures throughout the garden was excellent and each one put you in thought. The gardens were immaculately cared for from formal, cottage, hedges and native bush. Each area had a little surprise and the different heights gave me another way to view of each area. A Fabulous garden all should visit. We will be back again.
4. Flaxmere Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By revejardinier
Just this Sunday as Summer makes herself comfortable on the throne, taking over from Spring and filling Nature with her wondrous warmth, I visited Flaxmere for the second time albeit at a different time of year. Proving that her hospitality was not a fluke the first time, Penny Zino was there again to welcome us to her garden. When I visited her garden last it was nearly at the very end of the Summer and even then I found the garden wonderful. This time round it was plus grand(more grand). When I spoke to Penny under the stately Golden Elm; The Silver Elm and the Copper Beech as our backdrop. . .I said to her, I think I have found the secret to the success of Flaxmere. .. That secret lies in the Trees. And she has planted them all herself. These three trees, the light that they exude is simply magical. Even the many Firs or Pines in the garden, they are so delightful, placed just at the correct spot, and as a friend once said to me, "It doesn't blow my mind. Its simply mindblowing" Penny Zino single handedly keeps this garden; an utter feat at her age, without offence, this is said. Her Delphiniums, Roses, aaaah! What a delight. If the reader has not yet gone to see Flaxmere nestled amongst the trees at the foot of the spine of the New Zealand Alps, you need to go now! If have been there before, go again. This garden has much more to offer than just a one time visit. There are so many different nuances one misses with only one visit and I will visit again, though next time I will try first to go in the dead of Winter. According to an ancient Japanese gardener there should be six sublimities to a garden. Although it is most rare to find or achieve this Flaxmere has spaciousness-seclusion and artifice and and water-panoramas. There is one part of the garden close to the pond of the Swan, when one sits on the bench; one looks across the water towards a long section of cut grass that leads the eye over taller grasses in the distance, this further leads to eye onto a set of tall trees at least a mile away and beyond that the blue argon of the mountains. I could sit there all day and create a Monet moment. Sublime... Another sublimity is antiquity, and when one looks at Flaxmere, the way that the light falls through the garden, also the house, the way it resides in the space of the garden, one can only achieve this as a garden matures. . .slowly. . .through the passage of Time. . .
5. Phytofarm Herbal Learning Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
In Phytofarm herbal learning garden, visitors are hosted by renowned herbalist and naturopath Valmai Becker. The breath-taking location and views in all seasons attract people interested in a healthy lifestyle when it comes to their garden, nutrition or medicine cabinet. Service includes garden tours, seasonal workshops and products to take home or as a gift.
6. Ilam Gardens
7. Lavender Fields
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Lavender Fields, 20 minutes north of Christchurch, incorporating gardens, nursery and gift shop, is a family owned and operated business. Visitors to 224 Waikuku Beach Road are encouraged to wander around the fields, observe the distillation process (Feb-March), visit the shop, stocked with quality oils and body products, and discover the large range of lavenders in the nursery.
8. Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,689 reviews
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
9. Edmond's Factory Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
10. Mona Vale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By GSL2 - Christchurch, New Zealand
Mona Vale is an old, established garden running alongside the river. Lots of interesting plants and corners to explore including a rose garden and a water-lily pond. There were ducklings when we last visited and it was fascinating watching the mama duck herding her 7 little ones as they dived around the water lilies. You don't need to join a tour; nice to just wander at leisure. There is a restaurant there, but looked very formal, so we didn't get anything there. Would have been nice to have somewhere to get an icecream or a smoothie as it was a warm day.
