Top Things to do in Canterbury Region
Top 10 Outdoor Activities 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. Ski The Tasman
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Ski The Tasman is an air-accessed adventure on to New Zealand’s longest glacier. Every fine winter day (July - September) Alpine Guides take small groups of skiers on this unique mountain journey. Operating only in Mount Cook National Park - there is nowhere else on Earth you can come on a daily ski plane-accessed ski day.If making turns amongst New Zealand's highest peaks isn’t enough, exploring incredible ice caves, seracs, and canyons makes Ski The Tasman truly unforgettable.
Reviewed By NeilLindyAnne - Christchurch, New Zealand
We had a spectacular day Skiing the Tasman Glacier with Alpine Guides on Aug 12th 2020 - The Walker Group ;-) . All 10 of us were blown away by the scale of the place. Our guide Lewis was great, very knowledgable about the mountains and the glacier. The weather could not have been better either. Didn't expect first tracks in very nice powder particularly on the 2nd run. Everyone should add this to their bucket list. You do not have to be an expert to ski this, intermediate skiers will handle it easily.
2. Hooker Valley Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,041 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Falsendrach - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We did the Hooker Valley trail in May, just after NZ dropped to Covid Alert Level 2. It was a great time to do it with the lack of tourists around. Because of the popularity the Hooker Trail is usually very busy, sometimes with so many people on the trail you feel like you're walking in a queue. Parking can be an issue if you're arriving later in the day and you sometimes have to park on the access road and walk 15-20mins to the trail start. With the current Covid international travel restrictions though there's few tourists and it's not hard to get a space in the carpark. Wonderfully though this time it felt virtually empty. Sure, we ran into other people but only about 60-70 rather than the 1000+ you'd expect. The trail is about 90mins each way, culminating at Hooker Lake. Do allow extra time as we happily spent an hour playing at the frozen-over lake skipping stones & throwing sheets of ice around. As far as reward vs effort goes, the Hooker Valley trail is one of the best short tracks you can do as it's wide, mostly flat, taking you over three suspension bridges that offer gorgeous views of turbulent pale azure water rushing underneath, majestic hills sweeping up on either side and Mt Cook/Aoraki as a stunning backdrop. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as the trail is mostly rock, & switch out to boots in colder/wetter weather. Layers are essential & you'll find that coming back in the afternoon it's quite a bit cooler once the sun has dipped behind the peaks. And on that note, bring a torch or headlamp if you're setting off within 4 hours of sunset. There are some toilets about two thirds the way along the track but they aren't great. You should definitely pack some hand sanitiser & a roll of toilet paper in case they run out (they frequently do). At the height of the tourist seasons there's usually a queue.
3. Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,143 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By GreeceHelena - Whanganui, New Zealand
I set out this morning to walk the loop, Kaikoura to the Peninsula Walkway. Quite a steep climb up to the Point Kean Lookout, then the track levels off as you continue along the cliff tops with panoramic views of ocean, rocky coastline and twisted limestone. What I didn't see were seals and not a great deal of sea birds. Thankfully, yesterday I watched masses of seals and their pups playing at Ohau Point. I carried on past Whalers Bay to South Bay, returning via Tom's Track... a most enjoyable 13km walk.
4. Broken River Ski Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
5. Hakatere Conservation Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By WeDreamOfTravel - Texas, United States
Our family took a two-week vacation to New Zealand and Australia and, being fans of the Lord of the Rings books and films, our intinerary included visiting filming locations in New Zealand. This is an easy, free, DIY experience that will take your breath away. Using GPS, it's easy to find Mount Sunday (the filming location of Edoras) by car. As you approach the location, the road turns to gravel and all signs of civilization disappear. You see fences along the road, but nothing else to indicate that humans have touched the land. It takes awhile of driving on gravel, so slow down and soak in the outstanding natural beauty that surrounds you. The approach to Mount Sunday is stunning, and if you're a fan of the films you'll recognize Edoras immediately. There is a car park and a farm gate that locks to prevent the cattle from getting out. There are black Angus cattle wandering in the pastures you will walk through, and they do what cattle do, so look where you step. They watched us but left us alone as we picked our way through their pasture. The walk to the base of Mount Sunday is pleasant, scenic, and gentle on the muscles. Once the incline becomes steeper, you may be tempted to stop climbing. That would be a huge mistake. Adjust your technique, pause to catch your breath, but keep going. The view as you climb is spectacular, so you can use the excuse of taking photos to rest a bit. The wind was very strong so if that's the case when you visit, you'll want to secure all your items before climbing. The view from the summit is unbelievably stunning. You have 360 degrees of mountainous splendor to admire. No sign of human life, you'll feel alone in a spectacular world of raw natural beauty. This climb, challenging as it was for some of us, was a high point of the entire vacation. It cost nothing but time, and even our LOTR-indifferent family member was thrilled by this visit. If you plan a visit to the South Island and admire natural beauty, whether you are a LOTR fan or not, this excursion may be one of the best things you could do on your trip.
6. Avalanche Peak Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By stevesH3646UX - Christchurch, New Zealand
Another great trip and very lucky to have a still day on the top. You do need a good level of fitness to fully appreciate and be prepared for quick changes of weather.
7. Mueller Hut Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By Roadtrip_Fan_UK - Hong Kong, China
It's the scenery that will keep everyone going. The ascent is super steep but the views are truly breathtaking. I continued on to Mount Ollivier and got rewarded with a 360° panorama that was well worth the extra effort.
8. Orana Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,031 reviews
Set in 80 hectares within 15 minutes’ drive of Christchurch Airport, Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. We get you up close and personal with the animals. Imagine hand feeding a majestic giraffe; seeing New Zealand's only gorillas; eye balling the magnificent white rhino; meeting New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi, or travelling through the Lion Reserve! Over 400 animals representing more than 70 species are displayed at the Park. Regular animal feed presentations occur daily and are accompanied by a presentation from a wildlife guide. Visitors can enjoy the antics of tigers, cheetah, Tasmanian devils, monkeys, meerkats and more. Two large walk-through aviaries enable you to see some of New Zealand’s unique native birds and Orana is home to a wide range of native reptiles. Visitors can pet domestic animals in the Farmyard. Orana is internationally renowned for its involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered exotic and native species. When you visit, you are supporting our conservation work. It’s a full day of fun for everyone at Orana Wildlife Park!
Reviewed By ants811 - Wellington, New Zealand
Absolutely in awe, i have seen animals in Zoos and they do not compare to the size of the animals in this wild life park. The enclosures were ginormous which let the animals freely move around. The Giraffes, Yaks, Buffalo, Lions, Tigers, Spider Monkeys, Gorillas, Orangutans, Cheetahs, Meerkats even the Turtles just seemed closer, bigger, more interactive and available to see. I feel like we must have come at the perfect time because we saw everything, my son loved the silver back, didn't want to leave.
9. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,043 reviews
See Kiwi in a natural environment - there is no glass! Get close to Kea, Tuatara and other native icons. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also home to introduced and exotic breeds. Make your own way around the park and animals will eat right out of your hand. Willowbank is open from 9.30Am daily - kiwis are able to be viewed from 10.30am until close.
Reviewed By 757denised - Parks, United States
Wonderfull done with lots of beautiful birds and original farm animals for this area and a great Kiwi habitat were you can see the birds up and personal. went to several other but this was by far the best.
10. Sumner Beach (Cave Rock)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By Juliea1928 - Tauranga, New Zealand
Easy to get to by bus or car the beach is just lovely and takes you back in time. There is a lovely big rock you can walk through on low tide which is amazing. Quant shops nearby and a fun place to visit
